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No, we would not feed cheese to gerbils. It is not known to be poisonous, but Burgess calls dairy products particularly dangerous for gerbils, the Gerbil Care welfare site says dairy causes digestive problems, and cheese is fatty and salty for an animal that needs only about 5 g of food a day. A crumb stolen from your plate is unlikely to harm, but do not offer it as a treat.
| Safe? | No: not known to be poisonous, but avoid it |
| How much | None on purpose |
| How often | Never as a planned treat |
| Best served | Swap it for a mealworm or a pumpkin seed |
| Watch out for | Loose droppings, weight gain |
Is cheese bad for gerbils?
Yes. It is not known to be toxic, but it does not suit them. Burgess says "chocolate and dairy products are particularly dangerous" for gerbils, and Gerbil Care lists dairy products as causing digestive problems.
The reason is the gerbil's natural diet. Gerbils are desert animals, and the RSPCA says they naturally eat grass seeds, bulbs, leaves and herbs. Milk products are not part of that. Cheese is also high in fat and salt. The MSD Veterinary Manual says about 5 g (0.18 oz) of pellets a day is enough to avoid obesity and diabetes, so even a small cube of cheese is a large share of a gerbil's daily food.
Do sources disagree?
A little. Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic's gerbil sheet lists cheese among treats to give in moderation. Burgess and Gerbil Care say avoid dairy. Gerbils gain nothing from cheese that a safer treat cannot give them, so we follow the careful advice and leave it out.
What if my gerbil has already eaten some?
Do not panic. A crumb is very unlikely to cause harm.
- Clear it away. Gerbils hoard, so check the nest and corners for any stashed pieces and remove them.
- Check the water. Make sure the bottle is working and full.
- Watch for 48 hours. Look at droppings, appetite and how active your gerbil is.
- Ring the vet if needed. Diarrhoea, a wet bottom, not eating or sitting hunched all need a vet the same day.
Which cheeses and dairy foods are worst?
- Hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan): high in fat and salt.
- Soft and cream cheese: very fatty and sticky.
- Blue cheese: no. It is ripened with a fungus, and we would never risk it.
- Cheese crackers and cheesy snacks: no. Burgess lists crackers and biscuits as foods to avoid as well.
- Milk, yoghurt and yoghurt drops: no. All dairy, and the drops add sugar.
If you are using cheese to tame a gerbil, a single pumpkin seed works just as well. The RSPCA calls pumpkin seeds a healthy treat, and they are easy to offer from your fingertips.
What to give instead
For protein, Gerbil Care suggests a few mealworms or dried crickets once or twice a week. For fresh food, try a thumbnail-sized piece of carrot, a small broccoli floret or a slice of apple with the pips taken out. Our safe food list for gerbils, gerbil diet guide and complete gerbil care guide cover the rest.
Cheese questions
My gerbil ate some cheese. What should I do?
A crumb or two is very unlikely to cause harm. Take away any leftovers, make sure water is available, and watch droppings for the next 24 to 48 hours. If your gerbil has diarrhoea, stops eating or seems hunched and quiet, ring your vet the same day, because diarrhoea is serious in a small animal.
Can gerbils eat cottage cheese or cream cheese?
We would not give either. They are still dairy, which Burgess and Gerbil Care both say to avoid, and cream cheese is very fatty. If you want to add protein, a few mealworms once or twice a week, as Gerbil Care suggests, suit a gerbil far better.
Can gerbils have milk or yoghurt?
No. Milk, yoghurt and yoghurt drops are dairy too, and yoghurt drops add sugar on top. Gerbils drink only water: the MSD Veterinary Manual says an adult drinks about 4 ml (less than a teaspoon) a day, from a clean bottle or small bowl.
Why do some vets list cheese as a gerbil treat?
Some older care sheets, such as Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic's, list cheese among treats to give in moderation. Newer feeding advice from Burgess and the Gerbil Care welfare site says dairy causes digestive problems. Where sources disagree we take the careful side, so we leave cheese out.
