Tomato is a popular vegetable and is eaten by the majority of people. But when it comes to your pets should you be feeding them tomatoes?
So, can gerbils eat tomatoes? Let’s find out from this article.
Here’s If Gerbils Can Eat Tomatoes
Gerbils can eat tomatoes but in moderation. Tomato contains a good amount of fiber, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients that contribute to the overall health of your gerbils. Overfeeding your gerbil tomato lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea. Gerbils shouldn’t be fed the leaves and stems of tomatoes due to a toxin called tomatine. Feed a gerbil, a small slice of tomatoes once or twice a week as part of its main diet.
Tomatoes
According to the Collins English Dictionary, “tomato is a small, soft red fruit that is used in cooking as a vegetable or eaten raw in a salad”.
Tomatoes come in different varieties, shapes, and colors.
Here is the list of the types of tomatoes we found for you:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Green Tomatoes
- Vine Tomatoes
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Beefsteak Tomatoes
- Roma Tomatoes
- Grape Tomatoes
Nutrition Facts About Tomatoes
Tomatoes are delicious and nutritious. They contain a good amount of vitamins and minerals which are beneficial for your gerbils’ health.
According to the United State Department of Agriculture, one cherry tomato(17g) has the following nutritional values:
- Calories- 3.06Kcal
- Water – 16.1g
- Protein – 0.15g
- Carbohydrates – 0.66g
- Fiber – 0.24g
- Sugars – 0.45g
- Calcium – 1.7mg
- Iron – 0.046mg
- Magnesium -1.87mg
- Phosphorus – 4.08mg
- Potassium – 40.3mg
- Sodium -0.85mg
- Vitamin C – 2.33mg
- Vitamin B6 -0.014mg
- Vitamin A – 7.14mcg
Benefits of Tomatoes For Gerbils
Tomatoes contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals which contribute to the overall health of your gerbils. So feed your gerbils tomatoes in moderation so they derived all the benefits.
Here are the benefits of tomatoes for your gerbil.
Hydration
Tomatoes contain 95% of water. This will keep your gerbils hydrated. However, you should limit the number of tomatoes your gerbils eat.
The water in tomatoes contains sugar which can be a problem if you feed your gerbils too many tomatoes.
Yes, gerbils get their water intake from the food they eat. That said, it is always recommended to provide your gerbils with fresh drink water in a water bottle secured properly inside the cage.
Remember to change the water every day.
Fiber
Tomatoes are a good source of fiber. Gerbils need fiber in their diet. Fiber helps your gerbils maintain their digestion health.
It is also good for their blood sugar levels.
Potassium
Tomato is a good source of potassium. Your gerbils need potassium to help with their muscle and nerves.
A low amount of potassium in gerbils leads to a condition called hypokalemia.
The first sign of hypokalemia is general muscle weakness.
Risks of Feeding Gerbils Tomatoes
Gerbils can eat tomatoes. However, you must take a few precautions when feeding your gerbil tomatoes.
Here are the risks associated with feeding gerbils tomatoes
Digestive issues
Tomatoes are high in sugar and water. So overfeeding your gerbil tomatoes will hurt their digestive health. Your Gerbil can’t handle a large amount of sugar.
This can lead to digestive issues such as stomach upset and diarrhea.
Weight/Dental issues
Too much sugar lead to weight gain in your gerbils. The weight of a male gerbil ranges from 65-100 grams.
The female gerbils weigh 55 to 85 grams. Any weight above those ranges should be a concern to you as a gerbil owner.
Sugar can also impact their dental health.
Pesticides/Parasites Issues
Tomatoes can carry dirt and residual pesticides which can be harmful to your gerbils.
So make sure you wash your tomato properly before feeding your gerbils.
You should be aware tomatoes has the potential to carry parasites. So when you are buying tomatoes with the stems, you check for parasites.
Tomatine Toxicity
Tomato leaves, stems, stalks, and flowers have a high concentration of a substance called tomatine.
This is poisonous to your gerbils.
So avoid feeding your gerbils tomato leaves, stem stalks, and flowers.
Only feed your gerbils fresh, ripe tomatoes.
Overly Ripened Tomato
You must always feed your gerbils fresh, ripe tomatoes. Rotten vegetables or fruit should not be given to your gerbils.
This can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea.
How To Prepare Tomato To Feed Your Gerbils
If you want to feed your gerbils tomatoes, here are a few instructions we have listed below.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes
- Remove the stem, and leaves from the tomato. These are poisonous to your gerbils
- Wash the tomato properly to get rid of dirt and residual pesticides or chemical
- Cut the tomato into bite size
- Remove all the seeds. They can be a choking risk
- Feed your gerbils the required amount. One teaspoon once or twice a week
- Remove any leftovers from the cage after one hour
How Much Tomatoes Should You Feed Your Gerbils?
Gerbils shouldn’t eat tomatoes every day. Give your gerbils one teaspoon of tomato once or twice a week combined with other vegetables.
Always go by the golden rule, moderation.
Tomatoes should not be fed as their main diet.
Can Gerbils Eat Cherry Tomatoes?
Gerbils can eat cherry tomatoes but in moderation. Cherry tomatoes are safe for your gerbils
Cherry tomatoes have a good amount of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients .which are beneficial for your gerbils’ health.
Make sure you always feed gerbils raw, fresh cherry tomatoes. Wash them properly before feeding.
Can Gerbils Eat Grape Tomatoes?
Gerbils can eat grape tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals which are beneficial to your gerbils.
Wash them properly and remove any seeds before feeding.
You must remember not to overfeed your gerbils grape tomatoes.
Can Gerbil Eat Tomato Leaves and Stems?
Gerbils shouldn’t be fed tomato leaves or the stem. These parts of the tomato contain a toxic substance called tomatine.
This toxic substance is in higher amounts in the leaves, flowers, and stems. So you don’t want to end up poisoning your gerbils by feeding the steam and leaves.
Feed your gerbil the raw ripe tomatoes without the seeds.
Can Gerbils Eat Tomatoes Seeds?
Gerbel shouldn’t eat tomato seeds. Tomatoes seeds are a choking risk to your gerbils.
So you want to remove the seeds from the tomatoes before feeding your gerbils.
Can Gerbils Have Tomato Juice
Gerbils can’t have tomato juice. Most tomato juice products on the market contain sugar, spices, and preservatives.
These ingredients are harmful to your gerbils. It can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea.
Your Gerbil should be offered only fresh drinking water every day.
Can Gerbils Have Tomato Soup?
Gerbils can’t have tomato soup. Tomato soup is full of spices and also has preservatives. It also has sugar added.
These ingredients are a danger to your gerbils.
So rather give your gerbils fresh, ripe tomatoes.
Remember always in moderation combine with their basic diet
Can Gerbils Eat Tomato Paste or Tomato Sauce
Gerbils shouldn’t eat tomato paste or tomato sauce. Again, tomato paste or sauce is full of sugar, spices, and other additives.
These ingredients can impact your gerbil’s health.
So feed your gerbils fresh ripe tomatoes. Feed in moderation combined with their basic diet.
What Vegetables Can Gerbils Eat?
If you are confused about what vegetable to feed your gerbils.
Here is a list of some of them:
Final Thoughts
Can gerbils eat tomatoes? Yes, gerbils can eat tomatoes but in moderation. Tomatoes contain a high amount of water. It is estimated to be around 95% water.
This why you must be careful when feeding your gerbils tomatoes. Too many tomatoes can lead to stomach upset.
Tomatoes contain a good amount f fiber, minerals, vitamins, and other ingredients that are beneficial to your gerbils.
You shouldn’t feed your gerbils tomato stems, leaves, or flowers. They contain a toxin called tomatine. This is harmful to your gerbils.
In addition, any product made from tomatoes such as tomato paste, tomato juice, and tomato soup shouldn’t be fed to gerbils. They contain too much sugar, salt, and spices.
Your gerbils should always be fed fresh and ripe tomatoes. Feed a slice of tomatoes once or twice a week. Remember to take any leftover tomatoes from their cage.