Wendy S. Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>Hi all,
>I haven't posted to this list in a while. I have a question about gerbil
>weight. One of my two gerbils seems to have gained weight in the last
>month. The two are one year old brothers. I haven't changed their diet - I
>use two different gerbil mixes, Sun seed Vita formula and a bulk mix from
>the pet store. I don't pick out the sunflower seeds, but they didn't seem
>to be overweight at all, either. Could this be happening because they are
>getting older? They do seem to sleep more now and are a bit less active.
>They are in a large tank - 40 gallons and get plenty of exercise, I think.
>Anything I should be worried about or just a part of aging or growing?
>Would being overweight be a health risk? Is there some sort of measure for
>appropriate weight or some way to assess their weight? I know with dogs,
>for instance, it can be assessed by feeling the ribcage.
>I appreciate any thoughts you share!
>Wendy
Yes, it is a health risk.
Fat gerbils do feel squishy round the waist and ribcage. Correct weight
gerbils should feel firm, and underweight gerbils should feel very bony.
It is normal for older gerbils to sometimes gain weight as they get
older, but it is still probably a good idea to reduce the amount of
sunflower seeds they are eating.
--
Julian
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
National Gerbil Society
http://www.gerbils.co.uk/
