How do you keep your gerbils warm?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

My gerbils live in my kitchen as I have nowhere else to put them. Unfortunatly it is probably the coldest room in the house.

I currently use paper bedding from Morrisions & Megazorb. I put plenty of paper bedding and megazorb in the tank & then rest the tank onto of a towel.

Not sure whether there is anything else I should be doing? I was thinking of buying an " electric blanket" type thing to rest the bottom of the tank on.

Any ideas?

PerfectPeaches

Hi the devil made me do it

I've never had gerbils but I have had quite a few hamsters in my time and to keep them warm I added straw and hay to their main area where they slept. I was always under the impression that straw is insulating (I may be wrong) and my hamsters were always snug and cosy. Best thing is straw doesn't cost the earth and one bag lasted for quite a while. But I did have to tear it up a little so they could make a nest out of it.

You can get those microwavable discs that you can get for rabbits and cats etc which have a fleece cover and you just put it in the cage which keeps them cosy. I think they are available at most pet stores. Just like an animal hot water bottle!

Hope this helps!

EmptyPockets

I agree about using hay or straw - again, I have never had Gerbils either, but have had several hamsters. To avoid them going into Torpor during cold spells, I used straw in their cages, cut up into shorter lengths with some scissors so it's easier for them to use.

nerak_y

I've spent countless pounds on the little hard grass home/cave things and the furry sleeping bags from the pet shop for our 2 gerbils, and within a night or two they have shredded them down and then use them that way....not quite what i had intended, but kept them warm anyway. Now i give them the cotton wool looking bedding as it seems to last longer for them. Also having 2 as they prefer to live gives them extra body heat when they cozy in!

Think i'd be too worried to put the hot water bottle type things in, what with the teeth on our two!

nerak_y x