Can Gerbils Eat Hamster Food? 5 Fascinating Facts

Given the fact that both gerbils and hamsters are rodents, the thought of having your pet gerbil eat hamster food may occur to you at some point. But is it actually proper to have a gerbil eat hamster food? Read on, to find the answer.

Can gerbils eat hamster food? Gerbils can eat many of the natural foodstuffs that are eaten by hamsters. However, the commercial pellets formulated specifically for hamsters are not ideal for gerbils, because such hamster pellets tend to have more protein and fat than gerbils can handle in the long run.

What Can Gerbils Eat?

In the wild, gerbil diet is mainly made up of leaves and herbs as well as grasses. Gerbils also feed on certain types of plant bulbs they happen to come across.

And given the fact that the gerbils are omnivores, they also eat animal-based food, mostly in the form of various insects.

In the domestic setting (when kept as pets), gerbils eat seeds and nuts, as well as various types of fruits and vegetables.

Further, the gerbils that are kept as pets get animal protein from insects.

Besides all those, we of course also have some commercial pellets that are specifically formulated for gerbils.

So that is what gerbils eat.

Is Hamster Food Safe For Gerbils?

Certain types of hamster food are safe for gerbils, while others aren’t – especially when you take a long term outlook.

Among the hamster foods that are safe for gerbils are things like nuts and seeds, as well as fresh veggies and fruits. The insects fed to hamsters are also largely safe for gerbils to eat.

However, most of the people who pose the question on whether hamster food is safe for gerbils tend to be specifically concerned about the commercial pellets.

And with regard to those commercial pellets, we find that the ones that are specifically formulated for hamsters aren’t very safe for gerbils in the long run.

The problem with the hamster pellets is in the fact that they tend to have more protein and fat than a gerbil’s body is able to handle.

In the short run, it may still be safe to have a gerbil eat the hamster pellets – especially if that is all that is available.

Indeed, there are many folks who have experience feeding gerbils hamster food on short term basis, and it is usually not problematic.

But on a long term basis, the hamster pellets are not very safe for gerbils.

Can Gerbils Eat Hamster Food?

Gerbils do have the capability to eat hamster food.

If you place hamster food in front of gerbils, they will usually chow it down quite fast. So they have the basic ability to eat it.

However, if the food in question is specifically in the form of the pellets that are formulated for hamsters, then they are not ideal for long term use with gerbils.

If you have to feed your gerbil on hamster pellets, that should only be on a short term basis: as you search for the pellets that are specifically formulated for gerbils.

Can Gerbils Eat Hamster Food In The Wild?

In the wild, gerbils and hamsters tend to eat more or less the same foods.

So those are things like seeds and nuts, as well as grasses and insects.

However, the fact that gerbils and hamsters can eat the same foods in the wild doesn’t necessarily mean that as pets, gerbils and hamsters can eat the same pellets.

Can Gerbils Eat Hamster Treats?

Hamster treats are not ideal for gerbils to eat.

The treats are formulated with hamster nutritional needs in mind, and the said hamster nutritional needs are different from those of gerbils.

There are better treats that are specifically formulated for gerbils, and those are what you should use.

Can Baby Gerbils Eat Hamster Food?

Ideally, baby gerbils shouldn’t eat the pellets that are meant for hamsters.

That is because the pellets that are designed for hamsters have way too much protein for a gerbil.

Of course, if the hamster food is all that is available, it is better to have your baby gerbil eat it than starve.

But you certainly shouldn’t get into a situation where you feed your baby gerbil on hamster food on a long term basis.

Can Adult Gerbils Eat Hamster Food?

If the ‘hamster food’ in question is in terms of things like nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and insects, then it is okay for a gerbil to eat.

But if the ‘hamster food’ in question is in terms of commercial pellets, then such pellets that are formulated for hamsters aren’t proper for gerbils.

One example of hamster pellets is that of Harry Hamster. And we are saying that Harry Hamster for gerbils wouldn’t be a proper/ideal food.

Do Gerbils Like Hamster Food?

Some gerbils seem to enjoy hamster food when the same is offered to them.

However, the fact that the gerbils enjoy the hamster pellets doesn’t mean that the said hamster pellets are good for them.

How Often Can Gerbils Have Hamster Food?

Hamster food (specifically the hamster pellets) contains too much protein and fat for gerbils.

Therefore in an ideal situation gerbils shouldn’t have such food at all.

If a gerbil has to be fed on the hamster pellets, that should be for as short as possible – perhaps in an emergency situation where gerbils pellets can’t be obtained.

You certainly shouldn’t get into a situation where you have a routine of feeding your gerbil on hamster food.

How Much Hamster Food Can Gerbils Eat?

If you absolutely have to feed your gerbil on hamster food pellets, the ration should be that of one large tablespoon per day.

So for each gerbil, you give one tablespoon of the pellets.

But you should find the pellets that are meant for gerbils, and switch to those as soon as possible.

Final Verdict

Hamsters and Gerbils are from the same species. Some of the natural foods that are eaten by hamsters (like seeds, nuts, veggies, fruits and insects) are certainly also okay for gerbils.

However, the commercial pellets that are meant for hamsters are not okay for gerbils.

The problem with the commercial pellets for hamsters is in that they have too much protein and fat for a gerbil.

Thus even if you ever have to feed a gerbil on the hamster pellets once in a while, you shouldn’t do so regularly or on a long term basis.

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️