Can gerbils eat Beef jerky? Yes, they can eat beef jerky just like basil and asparagus. However, this treat is not recommended for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, gerbils are herbivores and their diet consists of grains and vegetables. It means that they cannot digest meat properly. Secondly, Some brands of beef jerky contain high amounts of sodium which can be dangerous to the gerbil. It may cause renal failure or heart disease if consumed in large quantities over a long period.
To avoid these potential dangers, you should give your pet gerbil something more nutritious instead. Fruits and vegetables are better choices so that he gets the nutrients he needs without ingesting too many unhealthy ingredients from his treats.
1. What Nutrients Are Found in Beef Jerky?
Following are the essential nutrients found in Beef Jerky:
- Calories: 116
- Fat: 7.3 grams
- Fiber: 0.5 grams
- Zinc: 21%
- Vitamin B12: 13 %
- Carbs: 3.5 grams
- Protein: 9.4 grams
- Iron: 9%
- Phosphorus: 8%
- Folate: 9%
- Thiamine: 5%
- Copper: 7%
- Magnesium: 3%
- Potassium: 4%
Meat contains a lot of protein and is a source of iron, zinc, B-vitamins, and many other nutrients. However, the amount of vitamins and minerals that can be found in beef jerky varies from brand to brand.
It is important to check the ingredients list on the package before buying this treat for your gerbil. Some brands may be healthier than others.
2. How Beef Jerky Is Good For Gerbil?
Beef jerky contains 18% protein and 3% fat. It is a good amount of protein for any small animal like the gerbil, hamster, or mouse.
However, salt is often added to lengthen the shelf life of beef jerky. The fat content of the treatment may be as high as 29% which is almost 4 times as much as gerbils should have in their diet.
3. Sodium & Potassium levels Present in Beef Jerky:
Beef jerky contains a very large amount of salt or sodium chloride. A 150g serving contains over 1000 mg of sodium which is approximately 45% of the recommended daily intake for humans.
Also, potassium levels in beef jerky are negligible with only 0.25mg per serving. While gerbils require at least 200mg/kg/day to keep their organs healthy. This means that less than 1mg is present in one piece of beef.
4. Do Gerbils Need Beef Jerky in Their Nutrition?
A gerbil needs about 18%-22% protein in his diet. It is recommended to avoid high protein treats such as beef jerky. It is because a healthy diet for a gerbil should be made up of fiber, vegetables, and fruits.
If you feel that your pet needs extra protein then you should consider giving him a supplement rather than beef jerky.
Also, gerbils require 9 different amino acids to stay healthy and these can be obtained from fresh foods such as seeds, soybeans, and alfalfa which are much healthier for them than preservative-ridden treats like beef jerky.
5. How Much Beef Jerky is Given To Gerbils Per Day?
Since beef jerky does not contain essential nutrients for your pet, giving him too much of this treatment can cause health problems over time which makes it important that he has very small servings or just a few pieces at each mealtime.
You should only give your gerbil one piece (5-8gm) of beef jerky per day because eating too much can cause him to get sick.
Having anything more than the recommended amount may cause various health problems in your pet which makes it important that you stick with his daily portions and don’t overfeed him just because the treats are tasty.
More isn’t always better when it comes to food so you should never give your pet more than he can eat in one sitting.
6. How Often Do You Feed Your Gerbil Beef Jerky?
Since gerbils are small animals, they require high amounts of energy. It means that they need to be given fresh food regularly. Gerbils need to be fed at least once a day. If you feed them too much or too little, they may become sick.
If your gerbil is not eating his food then there are many health reasons why this could happen. You should contact your veterinarian immediately if he stops eating because it can be a sign of an illness.
Your pet might also refuse to eat if the food has gone bad so you should check all of his treats before giving them to him. To prevent your pet from refusing his daily meal, you must have enough fresh food in your house at all times so he can snack on some throughout the day.
7. Is Beef Jerky A Gerbil-Friendly Food?
Beef jerky is a tasty treat that some gerbils may enjoy. However, there are more nutritious alternatives available which you can give your pet on days when he deserves a little extra snack.
The flavor of beef jerky might make your gerbil feel excited and happy but it is important to keep in mind that this treatment has very little nutritional value. If you are looking for nutritious treats then you must look into gerbil-friendly foods such as leafy vegetables, berries, and fruits.
8. Negative Effects on Gerbils Eating Beef Jerky:
The most common and dangerous side effect of feeding your pet too much beef jerky is dehydration. It is due to a large amount of sodium and potassium found in this snack. If a gerbil overdoses on salt, it can cause serious issues over time such as dehydration, illness, and death.
Also, giving your pet way too many treats might cause him to gain weight. Beef jerky contains a lot of empty calories which offer no nutrition for your pet. If he gets fat, it can make it difficult for him to move around easily. It can also strain his heart so you should never give him too many treats.
9. What Other Problems Can Happen If Gerbils Eat Beef Jerky:
It is important to keep in mind that too many treats will cause your pet to eat less of his regular food which means that he might become malnourished or even starve because there are not enough nutrients in the beef jerky.
Also, if you try to give your pet more meat than he can chew, he might try to swallow the treat without chewing which can be bad for his health.
We all know that gerbils love to chew on things but if they eat too much beef jerky, it could cause them to get sick or even choke. If you notice that your pet is struggling with anything in his mouth then you should remove the threat immediately.
Can Gerbils Eat Beef Jerky – Conclusion:
All in all, beef jerky is not the best treat to give your Gerbil regularly. It can make him sick and choke on it if he eats too much at one sitting. It means that you should only feed him healthy alternatives like fresh veggies or high-quality hay.
Since gerbils eat a lot of different foods, you must feed them a variety of healthy treats and fresh fruits. Unfortunately, beef jerky doesn’t offer any nutritional value to your pet.
It means that there are healthier alternatives available on the market. However, if your gerbil seems to enjoy this treatment then you should only give it to him as an occasional treat.