FAQ: Food for small pets

A small amount of fresh vegetables, such as a piece of carrot or broccoli, is good for a gerbil. Coming from dry regions, they react sensitively to watery food, so portions must be small.

An adult gerbil usually needs about a teaspoon to a tablespoon of mix a day. Like hamsters, they stash food, so adjust the portion according to how much is left in the stores.

Yes, gerbils can occasionally have a few mealworms or a small piece of boiled egg. This is especially beneficial for young animals and pregnant females.

Wash the vegetables, pat them dry and cut them into pieces suited to the animal's size. Serve them at room temperature, not straight from the fridge, as cold food can upset digestion.

Fresh food quickly wilts, spoils and can go mouldy in a cage, and it also attracts flies. Remove uneaten leftovers after a few hours or the next day.

Iceberg lettuce is mostly water with few nutrients, and larger amounts can cause soft droppings. Darker leafy greens such as romaine are a better choice.

White cabbage and Brussels sprouts can cause gas in larger amounts, so give only a little and introduce them gradually. Kale is a better fit, but also in moderation.

Some small pets can have a small piece of ripe tomato now and then. Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit are poisonous, so never give them.

Cucumber is mostly water with few nutrients, but a small piece is refreshing in hot weather. For chinchillas and gerbils it is best avoided or given only very sparingly.

Bananas are sweet and starchy, so for rabbits, guinea pigs and rats only a small piece as a treat is suitable. Degus and chinchillas must not have bananas.

Yes, a small piece of apple without the seeds and core as a treat, because apple seeds contain harmful substances. Degus and chinchillas are better off without apple because of the sugar.

Citrus fruits are acidic, so for most small pets they are best avoided or given only very rarely. A guinea pig can have a small orange segment, but citrus is not recommended for hamsters.

Frozen vegetables such as peas can be given to rats or mice if they are fully thawed to room temperature and unseasoned. Fresh vegetables are better for herbivores.

They are not essential, but wash all vegetables well before feeding to remove any pesticide residues. Buy fresh vegetables that are not wilted.

Parsley, dill, basil, mint and coriander suit most herbivores. Give them in moderation, rotating with other greens.

Canned food often contains salt and sugar, so it is not suitable. Herbivores need raw fresh vegetables, while rats or hamsters can occasionally have plain cooked vegetables.

Different vegetables provide different nutrients and reduce the risk of getting too much calcium or oxalate from one kind. Offer several different vegetables each day, rotating them.

Hay is still the basis for an older rabbit, but if it is losing weight a vet may advise softer hay or more pellets. Check teeth and weight regularly, and for an overweight rabbit do the opposite and reduce pellets.

An older guinea pig still needs unlimited hay, daily vegetables and enough vitamin C. If chewing is difficult, softer vegetables help, and weight loss is a reason to consult a vet.

The diet stays the same – hay and chinchilla pellets – but check teeth and weight more often. If the chinchilla struggles to chew, a vet may advise soaked pellets or special food.