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Yes, gerbils can eat blueberries as a treat. Burgess, PetMD and the Gerbil Care welfare site all list them as safe, and Gerbil Care says they are popular with gerbils. Give about half a fresh blueberry per gerbil once or twice a week. They are sweet, so keep them small and occasional. Dried blueberries only as a crumb, plain and unsweetened.
| Safe? | Yes, as a treat |
| How much | Half a blueberry per gerbil |
| How often | Once or twice a week |
| Best served | Fresh, washed, cut in half |
| Watch out for | Sugar, sweetened dried berries, stashed berries going off |
Are blueberries good for gerbils?
Yes, in small amounts. Burgess names blueberries with strawberries and raspberries as safe fruit, and PetMD includes them in its list of fruits for gerbils. Gerbil Care says blueberries are safe and popular, so they make a good reward when you are taming a gerbil.
Like all fruit, they carry sugar. Burgess says fruit should only be given in tiny portions for that reason, and PetMD says fruit should be fed in smaller amounts than vegetables to avoid weight gain.
How many blueberries can a gerbil eat?
Half a medium blueberry, about 0.5 cm (0.2 in) across once cut, per gerbil, once or twice a week. A whole small berry now and then is fine for an adult. Gerbil Care's guide for all fresh food is about one thumbnail-sized portion per gerbil, around twice a week, so a blueberry takes one of those slots. PetMD says extras together should be no more than 10% of a gerbil's daily diet.
How to serve blueberries
- Wash them. Rinse under cold water and pat dry.
- Cut in half. PetMD suggests bite-sized pieces, and halving shows you the berry is firm inside.
- Offer by hand or in a dish. Juicy halves are tidier in a small dish than in the bedding.
- Remove leftovers. PetMD says to throw away uneaten fresh food after 10 hours. Gerbils hoard, so check the nest too.
Hold a blueberry half between your fingertips during taming sessions. A gerbil that comes to your hand for a sweet bite is learning that your hand is a good place to be.
Fresh, frozen, dried and flavoured
- Fresh: best.
- Frozen: fine once thawed and patted dry.
- Dried: a crumb only, plain, with no added sugar or oil.
- Blueberry yoghurt drops and muffins: no. Burgess says to avoid sweet treats and dairy.
Who should skip blueberries?
Overweight gerbils, gerbils with loose droppings and very young gerbils still getting used to their dry food. Wait until they are well, then start with a quarter of a berry.
Other treats to try
Rotate blueberries with a bit of strawberry or raspberry, or a small piece of apple without pips. Our safe food list for gerbils, gerbil diet guide and complete gerbil care guide cover the rest.
Blueberry questions
Can gerbils eat frozen blueberries?
Yes, once fully thawed to room temperature and patted dry. Thawed berries are soft and leak juice, so serve them in a small dish rather than scattering them, and clear away any leftovers within a few hours. Never give a berry still frozen hard.
Can gerbils eat dried blueberries?
Only a crumb, and only plain ones. Drying removes the water and concentrates the sugar, and many shop dried berries are sweetened or coated in oil. The Gerbil Care welfare site lists organic dried fruit with no sweeteners as a moderate treat.
How many blueberries can a gerbil have?
Half a medium blueberry per gerbil, once or twice a week, is a sensible limit. A whole small one is fine now and then. Burgess says fruit should come in tiny portions because of its sugar, and PetMD says all extras should stay under 10% of the daily diet.
Will blueberries stain my gerbil?
They can leave purple marks on a pale gerbil's face and paws, and on light bedding. It is harmless and fades as your gerbil grooms. Serving the berry in a small dish keeps the mess in one place.
