Ok, so, I bought a gerbil about 2 months ago.
The lady at the pet store said that they where friendly.
the problem is, its been two months and he wont let me pick him up, he is scared of me for some reason...
Now, there is ALWAYS fresh food and chilled water in his cage, there is a little house like thing where he can go and make a little burrow in, a wheel to run on, and there is enough floor stuff so that he can burrow.. and every once in a while i give him a fresh piece of fruit or a treat... so, i give him everything he needs and im nice to him. why is he scared of me?
Also, i bought him a Silent wheel, except, he runs so fast that the whole thing vibrates, constantly hitting the bottom of the cage, making an extremely loud noise, any suggestions on fixing that?
thnx all
2006-08-19 18:32:16 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Most gerbils are naturally curious and easily tamed, though there are always exceptions. Even very tame ones, though, don't usually like to be held, as you might a hamster. Gerbils prefer to come out and run around your arms, shoulders and even head.
You can start by putting your hand in the cage (actually tanks are better - I've heard of gerbils amputating legs on wire cages) for a few minutes several times a day and just let your gerbil investigate it. When he seems OK with that, try putting a sunflower seed or other favorite treat on your hand (you can also try picking those seeds out of his food so he has to come to you if he wants it). If you keep at this and you're patient, your gerbil will probably start hopping up into your hand. Once he starts this, start picking your hand up a few inches. The first few times he'll probably hop right off, but keep at it.
Also, gerbils are VERY social creatures who fare much better with a gerbil friend, so consider getting him a pal. Just make sure you have two of the same sex, else you'll end up with LOTS of gerbils, especially since they mate immediately after giving birth! Another advantage to getting a second gerbil is that if the new gerbil is more relaxed and lets you pick him up, the first gerbil is likely to "model" the new one's behavior and become more tame as well. But you should never just put two gerbils together without introducing them properly or they'll fight, sometimes to the death.
If you want to know more about gerbils, including how to introduce one to another, a good site is www.agsgerbils.org
2006-08-19 19:24:18 · answer #1 · answered by Brenda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him time. Dont chase him around the cage to catch him. Just rest you hand inside, or offer treats to him more often. He will get used to you. Make sure his cage is in a quiet place without many small children or loud/quick movements.
Ugh wheels, I have two for my mice. Also a "silent" wheel. I got the ones that have the cage mount option. Both of my wheels or mounted onto the wires of my cage, which vibrates the whole cage, lots of noise. Basically we just ignore it and put the cage in another room at night and shut the door. If you dont have a mountable wheel (or have a glass cage) try getting a wheel with a taller stand. Or Place felt under the wheel and on where its hitting. Wheels are gonna make noise, I found this out the hard way.. You may need to try a different wheel or just take the cage in another room when the noise is a problem. DO NOT GET A WIRE WHEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure you know, but just remember, Gerbils have no control or use of their tail. Mice have tails like moneys, they can wrap around things and move it. Gerbils cannot. The tail will get caught in the wires!!
Good Luck and give him time!!!
2006-08-20 02:24:45 · answer #2 · answered by clj2791 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some pets just don't like to be touched, I'm sorry, that's just the way it is. You could maybe try to get him used to you by hand feeding him a treat that he likes. My Hamster loves baby carrots as treats. Also maybe try not picking him up. maybe just put you hand palm down in the cage and maybe he will climb onto it. You need to give him a reason to trust you so never grab or touch him suddenly. I have the same problem with the wheel. Try buying some felt at a craft store and cutting out little squares to glue on the feet of the wheel. Occasionally, my hamster will chew them off, but you can always just stick some more on.
2006-08-20 01:48:00 · answer #3 · answered by jerrri 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am thinking you have a very young, untrained gerbil on your hands. getting him to becone comfortable around you will take only some time. Do not force yourself on him - he is scared. Very scared. You are much bigger than he is, and he sees you as an intruder. you may want to try getting a second gerbil as a mate/friend. You may also want to hold his cage in your lap, all the while speaking softly, gently and quietly to him. This is going to be a slow process as animals tend not to trust easily. Be patience, and above all, give him consistent love and attention. Get him use to a particualr feeding schedules - breakfast at 7 am - dinner at 5:30 and a treat around 8.... onvce you establish this routine, it should go much smoother for you. Remember also that all animals can sense what we humans are feeling - be confident when you approach the cage and at feeding time. You have a long way to go to gain its trust - but, in the end, it will all be worth your time and effort. Good luck to you both!
2006-08-20 01:46:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to slowly git him 2 like you by every day try to pet him and when you can pet him try to pick him up.to help with this try hand feeding him little treats.
2006-08-20 01:51:57 · answer #5 · answered by jesse 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋