Just got 2 gerbils and am using an old hamster cage..i know this is ok but is it ok to use the play tubes as well...not using wheel..but wondered about tubes! Is it ok?
2006-08-29 10:18:51 · 22 answers · asked by TINA S 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
gerbils will chew the plastic tubes and this will cause them internal damage. i suggest u buy a rodent tank (fish tank with a mesh lid) gerbils love to bury themselves, fill a tank with shavings and put a few toilet roll tubes in there and watch and learn. they originally come from underground abit like a mole they will tunnel there way down to a bed. it is fun to watch as well. hope this helps...
2006-08-29 23:35:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it's fine
in fac t the gerbils use the tubes a lot more than the hamsters. i used to have some hamsters and a gerbil. she never used the wheel for anything but chewing it. but the tubes would be ger favourite thing!!!
2006-08-29 10:26:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. Be aware though that gerbils like to chew. The tubes may not last very long.
You could also use the wheel too. The gerbils will love it.
2006-08-29 11:13:00 · answer #3 · answered by micksmixxx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. That would be wrong. Gerbils have very sensitive feelings and can be easily discouraged if they think they are only hamster substitutes. They may also wonder what happened to the hamster and why it isn't still living in it's wonderful cage with tubes. It will then realise the hamster is dead and begin to entertain the notion that you may have a certain fascination with rodenticide. Then they become very afraid and eventually 'pass on' from the stress of this imagined hamster slaughter.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
2006-08-29 10:23:33 · answer #4 · answered by arwen4838 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Yes, as long as the ends of the tubes are not exposed, or have a metal sleeve around them, otherwise your gerbils will soon chew them to pieces.
When I had gerbils I used them to shred confidential documents, they will chew anything and need a piece of wood in the cage to keep their teeth in good condition.
2006-08-29 10:26:33 · answer #5 · answered by boracic1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
suppose so.. just watch they dont get out!! i found my gerbil running across the floor one night thought it was a rat in my house!! They are very clever creatures and can open the lids on the top of cages.. gerbils like tubes etc...
2006-08-29 10:21:14 · answer #6 · answered by confused 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you keep the tubes clean, it will be ok. If you neglect the cleaning, then your gerbils will have bad air & could get sick & die. When you clean the tubes, be sure & dip them into a solution of bleach & water (1 capful of bleach into 1 cup of water) & this should kill any leftover bacteria. Rinse them & dry completely before putting them back together & letting your gerbil back into them.
2006-08-29 10:47:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will chew and chew...My kids have had both animals over the years, and thats what we found, hamsters are more civilised, realising the tubes are for fun, whereas gerbils think its just multicoloured food
2006-08-29 10:21:15 · answer #8 · answered by SunnyDays 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah it's okay.... just... inspect the tubes all the time, and tape 'em up.. Gerbils will chew the hell out of everything.
Hamsters chew things too, but not as violent as gerbils.
--Rob
2006-08-29 11:49:21 · answer #9 · answered by stealth_n700ms 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure...they're both rodents and if the tubes are wide enough, why not! Just make sure to clean them well before setting them up. They love running around in those tubes.
2006-08-30 00:03:40 · answer #10 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋