Can gerbils eat hamster food?

May 2021 5 143 Report

Can gerbils eat hamster food?

Okay, I spent the past few days studying hamsters, but I found out gerbils live longer and my fiends say gerbils are more social and awake during the day. Can someone tell me the difference between gerbils and hamsters, health, food, and cage wise? Thanks. (: And any gerbil info websites would be helpful too..

Pets / Rodents

RAWRcourtny♥

Verified answer

Yes, gerbils can eat hamster food. Most Hamster foods are intended to be for hamsters, mice, gerbils, and rats, becaause they all have mainly the same dry food diet. Gerbils should also have fresh fruits and vegetables daily too, as should any small animal.

Gerbils also tend to live longer them hamsters. The average life span for a gerbil is 5-6 years while hamsters usually only live 2-4 rarely 5, depending on breed.

Cages are also fairly the same. They both need little space (not too little though. The larger crittertrails are usually fine.) They should both have a exercise wheel with a flat bottom, a full food bowl and water bottle at all times, and toys. Toys should be bought at pet stores to ensure they are safe for the pet. They will chew on any toy you get them because it is a rodents instinct to gnaw.

Gerbils are very socialable while hamsters prefer to be left alone. Hamsters are best alone, gerbils do better in pairs.

Some gerbil websites:

http://www.twinsqueaks.com/guide.php

http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/gerbils/default....

http://www.pet-gerbils.us/

Anônimo

Gerbils are very social both with each other and with you as well once they are hand tamed and learn to trust you. Gerbils don't bite unless scared or provoked, typically they are very non aggressive and friendly.

Hamsters like to live alone and prefer to be left alone and they can be mean.

If your going to get gerbils get 2 gerbils, preferably from a reputable breeder as they will already be hand tamed. Pet stores aren't the best place to get them...but if you have to you can. Just be familiar about what a male and female gerbil looks like because pet stores don't always sex them correctly ( :

Here's a couple of links with a handbook about the care of gerbils:

http://www.twinsqueaks.com/guide.php and http://agsgerbils.org/Learn/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/i...

Here's a link about where to find gerbils: http://agsgerbils.org/Find/

Good luck to you!

Anônimo

not much difference besides socail behavior, although they usually are not in cages with all the tubes, gerbils like to dig. They have the same diet as hamsters.