Your gerbils need to always have a water bottle in their home. Even though they are desert animals, because of their small size, they need to have water available constantly. Gerbils must always have a water bottle for their water source. Veggies don't work. Refill you gerbils' bottle every day if possible. Do not leave it for more that three days.
A dry food is best for your gerbil. I recommend using a type food meant just for gerbils, such as Gerri Gerbil. Ecotrition are also a good foods.
If you not find a gerbil-specific food, you will have to use hamster and gerbil food. However, gerbils and hamsters have different nutritional needs, so some hamster-gerbil food is not appropriate. When looking for gerbil feed try to find one with about 12-15% protein and 6-8% fat for an adult. Older gerbils should have 10-11%, protein and 3-5% fat, and if you have younger gerbils (6wks to 12wks) they should be fed 15-16% protein and 7-9% fat. This site has a list of several common foods and their nutritional info.
Treats
You can feed your gerbils a variety of foods. The only big no-nos are chocolate and avocado. Fresh veggies and fruits should be feed in sparing amounts, and no more than three times a week. Gerbils can be feed these fresh foods:
Apple (no seeds, as they are poisonous)
Strawberries
Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Grapes
Plums
Peaches
Carrots
Peas
Cucumber
Bell peppers
Lettuce (only romaine lettuce, and in tiny amounts as it can cause health problems in excess)
Celery
Corn
Whole wheat or multigrain bread can be feed as well. Gerbils love any kind of seed or nut. Oats (dry), sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and dried fruit are among the favorites of my gerbils. Dried fruit should be feed sparingly though as it has a very high sugar content.
Grapes
Plums
Peaches
Carrots
Peas
Cucumber
Bell peppers
Lettuce (only romaine lettuce, and in tiny amounts as it can cause health problems in excess)
Celery
Corn
Whole wheat or multigrain bread can be feed as well. Gerbils love any kind of seed or nut. Oats (dry), sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and dried fruit are among the favorites of my gerbils. Dried fruit should be feed sparingly though as it has a very high sugar content.
