Advice of the Gerbil kind!

ness_w

I am planning n getting my daughter a pair of gerbils for her 12th birthday. Looking on ebay, I could easily spend a fortune on housing so what is really best for a gerbil? I was thinking of a tank with a rotastack on top, would this be appropriate? I don't want to go overboard, but as this is all part of the present, I don't want anything very shabby looking either.

Many thanks, Ness.

LizD_2

Firstly don't give pets as 'surprise' presents.

Are you sure she really wants gerbils? Be prepared that you will be looking after them if she loses interest/gets interested in boys/etc.

Gerbils are excellent climbers and complete escape artists, so whatever you choose will need to be chew proof as well.

Personally, I would buy a basic tank to start with, then add to it, perhaps with birthday money.

Please do try a rescue centre rather than a pet shop - there are always lots of small animals looking for homes, without lining someone's pockets.

stumpjumper

If you're sure you're both ready for the commitment of looking after the gerbils for the next 4 to 5 years, there's a few things to consider:

Gerbils are sociable creatures so a single sex group (already introduced and preferably from the same litter) of two or three is ideal.

A large (2ft by 1ft minimum) glass aquarium is the best home for them. Rotostack type arrangements are easily chewed and difficult to clean.

Gerbils can be quite fast and aren't fond of too many cuddles.

Do your homework and take a look at this forum: http://gerbilforum.proboards21.com/index.cgi

Bromley86

We kept our gerbils (two brothers) in a glass tank gerbilarium something like 800w*500d*700h and they loved it.

Top tip though. Although peat is great fun (you get excellent tunnel systems) and doesn't need to be changed all that often, stick with wood shavings. It's much easier to remove when you are cleaning and less likely to house gnats (although in fairness we left the peat in far too long that time).

ness_w

Thanks for the advice, yes she is desperate for them and will certainly look after them. We are used to pets, though not such small ones. Can they still make tunnels with woodshavings? I thought it was important for them to be able to tunnel. Thanks for the advice on the rotastaks, and I had no idea that you could get small mammals from rescue centres, do you know how I would find one locally?

Many thanks, Ness.

UKTigerlily

Hiya

Gerbils are great pets! We kept ours in a 4ft aquarium (lol no water honest!) full of wood shavings & yes they definitely can tunnel! Make sure they have a block of wood for their teeth (Available at pet shops) we made a wooden lid & hung their water bottles off of that by making holes in it, water bowls will be useless, you'll need the bottles. Try the RSPCA for rescue gerbils. Now you're making me want them again!

LizD_2

ness_w wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, yes she is desperate for them and will certainly look after them. We are used to pets, though not such small ones. Can they still make tunnels with woodshavings? I thought it was important for them to be able to tunnel. Thanks for the advice on the rotastaks, and I had no idea that you could get small mammals from rescue centres, do you know how I would find one locally?

Many thanks, Ness.

You could try your local RSPCA centre. Have a look under animal sanctuaries/shelters in the phone book.

http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/petlinks/smallpetlinks.htm

paintpot

I used to have gerbils when I was a kid, they lived in a three story metal cage. Gerbils like to chew alot and they used to drive me nuts and keep me awake at night chewing on the metal bars - so don't get a cage!

bunnymad

There should be a list of rescue centres nationally on this site http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/rabferr.html

Also just noticed your from Lincs so some of these might be able to help or put you in touch with a rescue
Humberside Animal Rescue Association (Hara)
Church Farm, North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, DN40 3JW
Tel: 01469 541666
RSPCA Scunthorpe Animal Welfare Centre
Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
Tel: 01724 843620 /
RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid and Lincoln Branch
Tel: 01522 544862

Spudnik_2

Extremely happy to hear that tanks are being considered - people used to think I was mad when I suggested them! Much safer than cages.

I run a small animal rescue and would urge you to try to adopt - it helps to counter the massive pet over-population problem, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you've saved a life, and you get to know the general temperament of the animal before you take it home.

With regards to bedding, if you want to use wood shavings then PLEASE ensure that it is aspen. Softwood shavings such as pine (the cheap sort most often used and sold in pet stores) can cause respiratory problems and have been linked to liver damage (albeit less so than cedar). Having said that, I've found aspen to be exceedingly difficult to find over here. I'd recommend Carefresh, or, as a cheaper alternative, Megazorb. Both are similar paper based products, but whilst Carefresh is commonly found in pet stores and fairly expensive, Megazorb can be purchased in bulk from feedstores around the country. Some online suppliers also sell it. As well as both products being safer alternatives, they also absorb waste very well, thus reducing the amount of cleaning required and overall working out more economical.

If you're confident that your child is willing to take on the very serious responsibility of owning a pet, then a pair or larger group of gerbils can make a wonderful addition to the family. Just make sure you're prepared. Good luck!

tosca5

I bought 2 male Gerbils and housed them together, turned out they had 3 babies..:eek: All 3 are male, i bought another cage and put the 3 males in with the dad gerbil. Problem is several months later the Female is still living alone, which i am led to believe isn't good for her. I tried introducing another female to her but she didn't like this and fought with her.
Any suggestions, i hate seeing her all alone.