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Post by nutmeg101 on Apr 8, 2011 20:39:31 GMT -8
I have recently started hearing and seeing so much about gerbils and sand baths. I am a new gerbil owner and would like to know if sand baths are crucial to the gerbil's health. What does the sand bath do for the gerbil? What type of sand do you use and where do you get it? Things like that. Please help, I need to know!  |
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amski
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Mr G Browsing the forum
Posts: 867
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Post by amski on Apr 9, 2011 12:34:16 GMT -8
I use chinchilla sand for mine and they think it's great! I have a lab style box that cost about £8 and is what I'd use if I had to take one to the vets or something. I leave it with the lid off in their play area and they enjoy rolling in it (it's very cute). I think it helps remove any grease from the coat and it stops them looking scruffy. I don't know it they are crucial or not - I suspect if they don't have sand baths it might be a bit like never washing your hair - not fatal but so much nicer if you can! Someone might confirm that for me? The gerbils definitely enjoy it though  You can use reptile sand, chinchilla sand or even cornflour cornmeal - the first two you'd get at a pet shop and the latter in the supermarket (or maybe even the kitchen cupboard) |
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Post by magpie on Apr 9, 2011 12:48:34 GMT -8
I've only very recently started giving my Gerbils access to a sand bath. I tried when I was very little, but got upset when one of my gerbils got sand stuck in his eye (Seems silly now, but it stuck with me). While my current Gerbils really enjoy rolling in their bath (I have Chinchilla sand), I don't think it's crucial to a Gerbils health. Preferable maybe, but not crucial. All my previous Gerbils never had one, and they all had beautifully soft and shiny coats. My current four really do enjoy themselves though  I bought the sand from Pets at Home, and I just use an old lunchbox lid to put the sand in. |
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meganphantom
Member
Salt, Pepper and Rice. Born 10th Oct 2007
Posts: 532
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Post by meganphantom on Apr 9, 2011 13:22:32 GMT -8
I do have chinchilla sand. I will pop it in my gerbils tank for 20 - 30 minutes. If you Put it in their tank for to long, they will use it as a loo.
But it's very good to keep their coats clean.
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Post by nutmeg101 on Apr 9, 2011 20:10:21 GMT -8
Yay!! Thanks guys! ;D
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Post by wodesorel on Apr 10, 2011 5:01:56 GMT -8
I like the fact they use it as a loo! Makes keeping the tank clean a breeze. |
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Post by Darby on Apr 10, 2011 11:06:20 GMT -8
I use cornmeal and it works wonders. Before she had sandbaths her fur just looked greasy and dirty, but now she's fluffy and sleek. But its not like not having a bath gets them sick. I usually give her a bath once a month for 20-30 minutes. And usually the first couple of baths don't excite them. Dove still doesn't really roll in it yet lol, just digs. What I do is sprinkle it over her and when she shakes it out the dirt comes out too. There's nothing cuter than a fluffy gerbil!
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Post by SilverGerbil on Apr 11, 2011 3:33:45 GMT -8
Amski - I wouldn't reccomend 'CornFlour' rofl! I think you meant 'Cornmeal' rofl! If you use cornflour your gerbils will end up with their fur standing on end ! It's a starchy flour used to thicken soups, gravys, sauces etc!
Sandbaths, you can use ANY dish you want, Bala and Bia have and old coconut i shelled for them and my Hammy has a small glass bowl (shes a Robo)
x
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amski
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Mr G Browsing the forum
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Post by amski on Apr 11, 2011 7:56:22 GMT -8
 Oops! I always get that one wrong - it'd be called polenta here!
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Post by leix on Apr 18, 2011 11:58:59 GMT -8
I use chinchilla sand i buy for my chinny.
My Jerry dont like it just knocks the bath over lol.
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Post by esztershine on Apr 27, 2011 21:32:41 GMT -8
The way I look at it is if I have pets I want to give them the best. As gerbils come from deserts, I give them a bowl with chinchilla sand in it (every day) so their natural habitat can kick in, have a cute bath, makes them feel better, happier, cute to watch and only cost a few pounds which I think is worth the money to keep them happy |
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Flashh
Member
All rescue gerbils now successfully rehomed!
Posts: 107
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Post by Flashh on Apr 29, 2011 5:09:24 GMT -8
Mine don't get access to a sandbath all the time, just now and then, to keep their coats looking nice.
If they have access to it all the time they use it once then kick all the sand out of the bowl and turn the bowl upside down! my boys are very miscevious!!
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