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Post by sarahobw on Apr 21, 2014 11:27:47 GMT -8
So 2 or 3 times recently I've watched my Olly in his sand bath, and after a good roll around he sits there and looks to me like he's eating a bunch of the sand.
At first I was convinced I was mistaken and I have checked his mouth/teeth straight after and not seen trace of dust, but it really looks to me like he's chowing down on it.
His sand bath is always available to him, up on a shelf and he uses it every day so I'd hate to take it from him. He always has food, water, wood and card to chew on etc so he shouldn't want for anything. He's eating as normal and seems himself, but he has been separated from his brothers recently and can be edgy on his own.
I know some animals eat stones and things to help grind up their food, but have never heard the like in gerbils.
Has anyone seen this behaviour before? Any ideas as to the reason? It seems so bizarre and I don't know if it could be harmful. I know it's silly, but thought it was worth an ask?
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Post by Demonic Hope on Apr 21, 2014 11:50:03 GMT -8
Could he perhaps be grooming his paws? Nico does that a lot after a sand bath. He nibbles his paws to clean them and then starts to groom the rest of his body
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Post by ninestone on Apr 21, 2014 12:31:24 GMT -8
They do that. Mine do the same thing. Not sure what the reason is, or if they actually swallow it or just chew on it like they do cardboard / wood.
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rhianna
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Post by rhianna on Apr 21, 2014 12:45:32 GMT -8
Olaf does that. I'm not sure why, but it's not bad.
I noticed that you said "dust" in the title. Are you using something labeled "dust" or "sand"? Dust is harmful and you should only use sand.
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Post by sarahobw on Apr 21, 2014 13:32:11 GMT -8
He's definitely chewing on it at the very least... glad to know it seems to be normal though! Had wondered if he was going cuckoo on his own. rhianna it is indeed labelled 'dust,' and I know sand is the preferable option. However this is the only bathing product I've seen Pets at Home stock, and it seems rather coarse to me and doesn't cloud or anything when I pour it. I don't believe they've had related health issues in the past year I've used it. Plus it's only £4 for 3kg so lasts ages, and they get so much enjoyment from it that I've made the risk-benefit judgement to stick with this dust. If I ever saw a sand option on the shelves rest assured I'd go for it!
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Post by Thelodar on Apr 21, 2014 17:29:59 GMT -8
Mine eat it too. One time there was even a large hunk in it (I assume it is just pumice that failed to get ground down)and he definitely consumed it. I'd say it's likely bad in large quantities (potential blockage risk) but fine in small doses...fiber right?
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Post by ninestone on Apr 22, 2014 6:03:51 GMT -8
Well, definitely roughage!
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kim
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Post by kim on Apr 22, 2014 6:22:57 GMT -8
My gerbils both eat there sand. I've seen some that actually says its edible on the carton so it must be fine and I've never been concerned about it. I've also heard that birds eat sand to add in digestion so I don't know if this might be the same for gerbils?
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Post by Jazzable on May 1, 2014 5:46:41 GMT -8
I think they sometimes eat sand because it has minerals in it that they need (calcium?). I'm pretty sure I've seen mine eat theirs sometimes too.
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Post by elanajoy on May 6, 2014 13:45:48 GMT -8
When I had chinchilla dust they ate it too. This was before I read about the dust ides, and then noticed an irritated nose! The sand can be found in the reptile supplies.
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t0m
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Post by t0m on May 23, 2014 5:20:03 GMT -8
You mentioned you bought the dust from Pets at Home - is this the kind you're using? www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/bathing-dust-for-chinchillas-3kg If so, that's what I use with my gerbils and they both like to have a good nibble of it from time to time. Like Jazzable I've read that they get certain minerals from it. elanajoy is that the dust you used? I get confused because although this stuff says it's 'bathing dust' it actually looks and feels a lot more like sand, with large, relatively heavy grains. So when they roll in it I've never seen it kicking up dust clouds as you'd expect with actual dust?
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Post by 3LilGerbils on May 28, 2014 5:49:09 GMT -8
Mine all do this sometimes too!! Very odd! X
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