slsers
Member
Baby & Stinky <3
Posts: 54
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Post by slsers on Sept 12, 2010 18:37:03 GMT -8
I put Baby and Stinky in the exercise ball for about 20 minutes once a week. They seem to enjoy it. But I just wanted a better opinion. How do I know if they enjoy it or not?
Thanks
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Post by sparky on Sept 13, 2010 7:55:36 GMT -8
I get different reactions from my gerbils. I never put them in the ball. I just put it in their tank and let them go in if they want to. Two of mine come rushing over as soon as they see the ball. They jump in and wait for me to put the lid on and they run about none stop once I put them on the ground. So I feel pretty sure that they like it. The other two are not so keen. One of them usually just refuses to climb into the ball and I never make her. She is very willful and if she does't want to do something then she doesn't do it. I still offer her the ball now and then and occasionally she will jump in and runs about happily with the others. The other will always climb in and usually she runs about but if she really doesn't want to be in the ball she will just jump up and down until I let her out again. So from my exerperiences I would say that if they don't like it then they won't do it  |
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Post by flibbletigibbet on Sept 18, 2010 14:45:57 GMT -8
Gerbils explore things with their sense of touch and smell. They love to climb on things, sniff things, and maybe give them a little nibble to learn more about them. When you put them in a plastic bubble, they suddenly can't do any of that. Gerbils don't have the best eyesight to begin with, and putting them in the ball further obscures their vision, causing them to crash into things, which is jarring both physically and mentally. If you're concerned about your gerbil getting exercise, you'd be better off getting a wheel or setting up a play tub. Exercise balls aren't the best thing for them.
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Post by laurie on Sept 19, 2010 8:29:13 GMT -8
My gerbils would freak out in the balls and pee all over the place.
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Post by daz4565 on Oct 10, 2010 13:51:49 GMT -8
My Sootie wees in the ball and poops alot too, the guy in pet shop said that this was excitement but im not convinced, but she only goes in that when its cage clean time once a week and she follows me everywhere whilst in it so not sure if good or not !
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2010 16:00:30 GMT -8
I've had some that love it and some that hate it.
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Post by cinnamon on Oct 11, 2010 3:56:03 GMT -8
causing them to crash into things, I don't know how they do it but two of my boys have absolutely mastered the are of avoiding to crash into anything. Having said that, none of my other gerbils are even remotely interested in the balls |
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Post by Boz on Oct 11, 2010 22:25:54 GMT -8
Any gerbils I have ever put in balls have sat in them and pooped and peed in them. Then they would possibly run and the poo and pee would get all over them and/or on the floor (falling through the cracks in the ball). So I just don't anymore try anymore.  |
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Post by SilverGerbil on Oct 13, 2010 2:49:14 GMT -8
My old set of gerbils, Cyd and Dixie absoultely LOVED the ball, they would fly into the ball and zoom around following me around the house which i found quite interesting, if i was sitting in the room they would come and sit by me in the ball and zoom off all the time. Kink and Sparrow on the other hand, hated the ball. They would just sit in the ball and watch me, and not move. So they never went in the ball. All gerbils are different, its like some love pumpkin seeds, others dont . x |
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Post by ddl on Apr 8, 2013 10:56:53 GMT -8
I know this is an old post but am a new member and just wanted to add my bit. Binky (pictured in my profile) is the first and only gerbil I have ever had, I ended up with him after a visit with a friend to a pet shop to pick up some dog food for her dogs. It was about a week before xmas (a few years ago now as he is getting on in years) and there was a thick blanket of snow, he was in a tiny tank on the pet shop counter with a sign that said 'free'. I asked why, he was 6 months old and they did not think any one would buy him. I had an old tank at home that was not being used so picked up supply at the shop and took him home with me. Seemed mean to leave him there in that tiny tank on his own for xmas.
After getting him settled and used to being handled I dug out my old hamster ball(I tend to keep bits like that as over the years have ended up with all sorts of unwanted pets from African Snails to big ol French Lop Eared bunnies, I also have horses) When I first put him in the ball (for a very short moment to start) he was not to sure what to do and just sat there looking around. I would very very slowly move the ball so he would walk a few steps and so on. Well.... once he worked out what to do (which did not take him long at all, very smart creatures) there was no stopping him, he has become very skilled at avoiding and steering and follows me about the house and garden.
This in itself was the making of our relationship, the time spent handling and getting him used to the ball really showed his personality and his confidence in me really grew.
As I said earlier, I have never had a gerbil before but since meeting Binky I have realised what a wonderful pet they make. They are very smart and friendly. This little chap has stolen my heart, he is a wonderful little guy, I would never have imagined the day I took him home that he would bring such fun and joy. I am now a total gerbil fan.
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