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Yes, gerbils can eat a little watermelon now and then. The RSPCA, Burgess and PetMD all list melon as a safe fruit. Give only the red flesh, with the seeds out, in a thumbnail-sized piece every week or two. Never give the rind: the Gerbil Care welfare site lists watermelon rinds as unsafe. Watermelon is very watery, so more is not better.
| Safe? | Red flesh only, rarely |
| How much | A thumbnail-sized piece per gerbil |
| How often | Every week or two at most |
| Best served | Fresh, seeds out, rind off, in a dish |
| Watch out for | Rind, seeds, loose droppings |
Is watermelon safe for gerbils?
The flesh is, in small amounts. The RSPCA lists melon among fruits that can supplement a gerbil's pellets, and Burgess and PetMD name it too. Gerbil Care does not list the flesh either way, but it does list watermelon rinds as unsafe.
The bigger issue is water. Gerbils are desert animals that drink very little: the MSD Veterinary Manual says an adult drinks about 4 ml (less than a teaspoon) a day. Watermelon is almost all water and sugar, and Gerbil Care warns that too much fresh food can cause diarrhoea, which can be fatal in a gerbil. That is why we put watermelon in the "now and then" group, below firmer fruit like apple.
How much watermelon, and how often?
A piece of red flesh about 1 cm (0.4 in) across, per gerbil, every week or two. That is smaller than most people expect: a single bite-sized cube from a fruit salad would feed three or four gerbils. Gerbil Care's guide for all fresh food is about one thumbnail-sized portion per gerbil around twice a week, and watermelon should be the odd one of those.
How to prepare watermelon
- Cut from the middle. Take flesh from the red centre, well away from the rind.
- Remove every seed. Gerbil Care lists fruit seeds as unsafe. Seedless watermelon makes this easier.
- Cut small cubes. One thumbnail-sized piece per gerbil, patted on kitchen paper to lose some juice.
- Serve in a dish. Juice soaks bedding, and damp bedding is no good for gerbils.
- Remove leftovers. PetMD says to throw away uneaten fresh food after 10 hours. Watermelon goes soft faster, so check sooner.
Flesh, rind, seeds and juice
| Part or form | OK? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Red flesh | Yes, a little | Melon is on RSPCA, Burgess and PetMD safe lists |
| Rind (green and white skin) | No | Listed as unsafe by Gerbil Care |
| Seeds | No | Gerbil Care lists fruit seeds as unsafe |
| Juice | No | Sugar water; gerbils need only fresh water |
| Other melons (cantaloupe, honeydew) | Yes, a little | Same rules: flesh only, small piece |
If droppings go soft or wet after watermelon, stop all fresh food. Ring your vet the same day if it lasts beyond a day, or if your gerbil is hunched, wet around the tail or not eating.
What to offer instead
For a firmer, less watery treat, try a piece of apple with the pips out or a bit of strawberry. A thin slice of cucumber is a lower-sugar crunch. Our safe food list for gerbils, gerbil diet guide and complete gerbil care guide cover the rest.
Watermelon questions
Can gerbils eat watermelon rind?
No. The Gerbil Care welfare site lists watermelon rinds as unsafe for gerbils. Cut the red flesh well away from the green and white rind, and throw the rind away rather than leaving it in the cage to chew.
Can gerbils eat watermelon seeds?
Take them out. Gerbil Care lists fruit seeds among unsafe foods, and the hard black seeds have no benefit for a gerbil. Use seedless watermelon if you can, and pick out the soft white seeds too to be safe.
Can gerbils eat other melon, like cantaloupe or honeydew?
Yes, in the same small amounts. The RSPCA, Burgess and PetMD all list melon as a fruit gerbils can have. Give a thumbnail-sized piece of flesh with the skin and seeds removed, now and then, and clear away leftovers.
Can watermelon help a gerbil stay hydrated in hot weather?
Do not rely on it. Gerbils get their water from a bottle or bowl: the MSD Veterinary Manual says an adult drinks about 4 ml a day. Extra watery fruit is more likely to cause loose droppings than help. In hot weather, keep the cage out of sun and check the water works.
