Wellness Tip #3: Critters Need Good Nutrition, Too!

A healthy, well-balanced diet is important for us all… even critters! Sure, plenty of commercial foods are available at pet supply stores for them. But you can, and perhaps should, supplement their diets with a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. Doing so ensures your critter – whether it's a rabbit, gerbil or guinea pig – lives a long, healthy life.

Here's a quick and easy guide to supplementing your companion critter's diet. Of course, always check with your veterinarian to make certain your dietary plan works well for your pet.

Ferrets
Make sure the commercial food you get from the pet store contains 30-38% protein and 15-22% fat. A high-protein/high-fat diet creates less waste, more energy, softer fur and better general health. For treats, you can give ferrets the same type of treats as you would for cats. Just remember, no people food!

Gerbils
Your gerbil will go ga-ga for treats such as puffed wheat, dried bananas, unsalted peanuts, unsalted sunflower seeds, dried kidney beans, dried lima beans, dried lentils and alfalfa hay!

Guinea Pigs
Did you know a guinea pig's body doesn't produce vitamin C? Commercial food for guinea pigs generally includes supplemental vitamin C, but rabbit pellets do not. Help your guinea pig out by giving orange slices, kale and strawberries. You call also provide raw, fresh fruits and veggies such as apples, bananas, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, etc. Whatever you do, never feed your guinea pig rhubarb or raw beans! They are extremely poisonous to their health.

Hamsters
Round out your hamster's diet with fresh grains, alfalfa pellets and sunflower seeds and nuts (not too many, though!). Of course, fresh fruits and veggies (spinach, lettuce and apples) are always good, too.

Mice
Like other critters, adding fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, grains, hardboiled eggs and cooked meat (no spices) to your mouse's diet can enhance her diet. You'll also want to provide a salt lick for your mouse to prevent mineral deficiencies. Just be sure to hang it on the side of the cage!

Rabbits
For rabbits, grass hay such as Timothy hay, is important for keeping their intestinal tracts healthy. Alongside rabbit pellets, you can give your bunny fresh, raw veggies and fruits including beets, carrots, radishes, peaches and melons.

Rats
To supplement your rat's diet, give him fresh fruit and vegetables such as peas, carrots and bananas. Table scraps such as small bites of pasta or pizza crust are OK, too, as long as it's in moderation. Never give your rat any chocolate, corn, candy, cheese or sticky foods such as peanut butter!