Any advice for new gerbil owner?

Question

Strongly considering getting a gerbil and wanted some info on members who have or have had a gerbil already. I have had a hamster in the past so already know the basics, but from what I've read (and I've done a lot lately) gerbils are a little different as far as care. So I would greatly appreciate any advice on care, male or female (and i do plan on getting 2 so they don't get lonely), things to watch for when purchasing them, brands of items, health problems, ect. I already have a large crittertrail cage that i purchased for my hamster, but from what i've read i wasn't sure this would be the best option. Also what kinds of bedding do you recommend? I've heard non-scented toilet paper is the best. Any other helpful hints are also welcome. Thanks

Also, I don't have access to a local breeder or shelter so a petshop is the only option. Has anyone bought their pet from petsmart or petco stores and how was your luck? I purchased my hamster from one of these and she ended up dying 3 months later of wet tail, but looked fine when i got her. Was hoping to avoid this if possible. Any hints on which shop is best or choosing the pet would be helpful.

Answer 1

I have two wonderful little gerbils (both females). The most important thing is that you get two gerbils and they are of the same sex. As I'm sure you know, gerbils are social animals and will get depressed if they lack companionship...plus their companion will groom them. But don't get a female and a male unless you are prepared for LOTS of babies.

Gerbils are one of the easiest animals to take care of -- very low maintenance. I clean their cage about once a month and it is no problem. But they do require exercise and handling daily, because they are social, active animals.

That said, here are some useful tips. First, try to get as large a cage as you can with tons of things for them to chew on. I would suggest a wire cage, as it breathes better. I have a CritterTrail, and it is wonderful. It has a loft area (they sleep up there) a ground floor, and three additional levels with tubes (as well as a wheel). They love it! Also, I give mine empty toilet paper rolls to chew on...cheap, fun entertainment for them!

Second, gerbils are very active compared to hampsters, in my opinion (I have had both). They will need to play outside of their cage everyday -- I usually let them play twice. I let mine run in their balls or in their playpen usually. I also sometimes let them "freestyle" around the house...but this is best done in one room that has no way to get out of. It is also important that you handle them...they seem to like their humans.

Also, my gerbils love sand baths. It is an excellent way for them to feel at home in the desert from your house. Most pet stores should have the supplies for this.

Words of cautiion: Gerbils are MUCH MORE ATHLETIC than hamsters. They can jump long distances and run very fast! Don't ever trust a gerbil from a high point, either, because they WILL jump. Believe me.

Also, realize that gerbils are not nocturnal like hamsters. They kind of do as they please. They are also less likely to bite than hamsters and I think they are generally more friendly too.

For bedding I use CareFresh, which is made from recycled pulp. My vet said it is better for them then the wood chips, it is softer and it soaks up their urine better. Also, FYI: gerbils don't create that much waste and it is less smelly than hamsters. They also don't consume that much water or food since they are desert dwellers.

One thing about gerbils is they are very sensitive to surprises and noise. Two of mine have suffered from epileptic seizures (this is not uncommon in gerbils). They are usually okay though.

The last thing I want to warn you about is that gerbils tend to get attitudes sometimes. It's kind of cute, because they all have their own little personalities. But if you clean their cage, watch out...they will probably throw a temper tantrum and throw some stuff around!

Any more questions, you should go to the Web site for the American Gerbil Society. I think there is also a British one. Also, if you happen to live or plan on moving to California or Hawaii...they are illegal there...

Answer 2

I had gerbils as a kid, pretty easy to care for. Non scented toilet paper is recommended as there are additives in the other. They like the rolls too, cedar chips would be good as well. Ask at the pet store what they give them. They breed well so unless you want more gerbils, get the same sex and make sure they are friendly to each other first (brothers or sisters). Watch their tail! The ends can come off if you grab it and it is scared (experience with that one - oops). Not much help I guess but do some research online. . .

Answer 3

Don't want to alarm you or anything but 2yrs of age is elderly for gerbils. Our daughter has gerbils and her first ones were sisters. One of them started doing the same as yours and after checking her all over we found she had a lump on her tummy. Get her out and check her all over and if you find any little lumps get her to the vet asap. as it could be a tumour. When gerbils get passed the age of 2 they start getting health problems. The girls both had to be euthanised because of tumours when they were almost 3yrs of age. The vet we took them to said they were a very good age and the oldest gerbils she's ever seen so you need to keep an eye on both of them on a daily basis ok. The girls were eating and drinking properly right up to the day they died so it is sometimes difficult to judge the state of their health by that. Don't know what you were told when you first got yours but a lot of pet shops lie when people ask how long they live for coz they think if people knew their average life span was only 2yrs they think they won't sell well. We were told that by a friend who used to work in a pet shop but she couldn't lie to customers and she got the sack for it! Hope yours are ok but if they aren't please do the right thing and take them to the vet...don't leave them to suffer. Good luck xx

Answer 4

Unless you are ok with having a LOT of gerbil babies, get two of the same sex. When my daughters were younger, we had gerbils, and they breed like CRAZY. At one point I think I remember having something like 17 in three tanks. It became impossible to figure out their sexes to separate them. We ended up trading the babies (at a reputable pet store) for supplies such as feed. Females seemed to be friendlier to handle and with each other. Males tended to get cranky and fight (must be that testosterone thing). For bedding we always used cedar and/or chips/flakes; it helped keep the odor down (but we still cleaned the tanks about every three days or so). Don't buy the bedding at a pet store - it's way overpriced there. We used to buy it at a farm & feed/tack store, much cheaper - also places like KMart and WalMart have it in huge packs (20 pounds?) that are really cheap. It is compacted and goes a long way. We put empty toilet paper rolls in the tanks for them to chew on and run through. Don't use actual toilet paper for bedding! It is nowhere near absorbent enough and is way too flimsy for animal bedding. The gerbils need to be able to pile up their bedding in corners to make nests and for warmth. I would only use a glass aquarium tank, with a SECURE screened lid (these critters CAN jump). It's much easier to wash out. I used to scoop up the gerbils (one at a time) with my hand and gently place them in a large, upright brown paper bag while I cleaned out their tank. It only took a few minutes and they were safe and secure (and couldn't jump out or escape). I also recommend putting a small metal exercise wheel in the tank (keep it well oiled, or the squeaking will drive you insane at night). Don't use anything plastic, as they will chew it to bits before you know what happened, and ingesting plastic bits isn't good for their digestive tracts. Buy a metal water bottle holder with a guard that goes around the rubber stopper to prevent them from chewing on it (as you can tell by now, gerbils can - and will - chew just about everything they are allowed to!). I used to give them a treat every so often of these little flavored wooden stick things, which they loved, and once a week, I would mix in a bunch of pumpkin seeds with their regular feed. THEY LOVED THOSE (even more than sunflower seeds). You can usually buy these by the pound at the same petstore you get everything else. Keep the tank in a reasonably warm place in your home. If you're chilly - they are, too. These animals come from a desert-type climate, and don't do well in cold or drafty places. Gerbils are cute and fun to watch......you'll enjoy them....just make sure you get two females!

Answer 5

Make sure you feed it and give it plenty of water. Also make sure you provide bedding for it to sleep in. My hampsters and gerbils usually lived longer than my sister's. I still do not know why.