Everything RIGHT for Gerbils

[virtuallyinsane]

I've been coming to this website for almost every single one of my gerbil questions, and if you just want to know my question than scroll down and skip the story of the gerbils lol.

Let me start by saying I had 27 gerbils in the past and I was 15-16 when I finally had enough and let them go outside (I know terrible idea but i was young and stupid who wasn't)

Fast forward to now, I'm 23 years old and I live in Canada now. I'm not legally here I'm on implied status (but that's beside the point.) Around May I was desperate for a companion cause I can't work yet, or basically do anything. I have my cat but he can only keep me company for so long. I love animals I want to make that my profession anything but veterinarian, I jokingly told my bf (the reason being in Canada) that I wanted a gerbil. About beginning-middle of June I went for my summer bike ride down this trail a couple of miles from my house. As I entered the forest trail I saw a flash of light brown, I couldn't tell what it was so I immidetaly used my brakes so I don't run whatever it was over. Sure enough I clicked my tongue and a small light brown gerbil came up to me and hopped on my shoe. imgur.com/C9M8URK Named him Barry.

WELL as you can see I have a cage, we bought it like literally the next day. I saw that he was sort of depressed looking, his tail was all beaten up, and he seemed "old" idk how old he is, but anyway I started trying to find places that sold male gerbils. I called petsmart and they told me they got shipped males accidentally. I rode my bike right over (far bike ride but me and my bf don't drive) and grabbed one. They had 3 different colored ones in a box, and 1 all by itself. A grey one, so I grabbed that one immediately and went home. A month or close to a month passed and I was SURE I would see the males genitals only.. I didn't. Turns out "Stark" was female. imgur.com/eod90Ux

Fast forward a bit and didn't have any idea how to split a cage literally tried to buy a whole bunch of stuff, ended up taking a plastic dresser drawer and putting a bbq metal cooking thing on top. It folds and has holes big enough for the gerbils noses to get stuck in (honestly I didn't think they would) Stark did a few times, and Barry did once, but his is worse and looks pretty scarred up ): feel so bad too. I have a bigger better cage now. Also 6 little babies to add to the litter (for now) going to give them away considering I wanted 2 males.. not one male one female.



Now I know majority of the people on this website won't read this cause it's soooo long but my questions are which bedding is the best. I bought the 2 giant sized beddings of pine/cedar and I know now that's the WORST kind to buy, I also was buying the "FLUFF" that's like cotton like and I heard that's bad too.

Noticing that I'm doing everything WRONG, I would like some pointers on what is RIGHT. Please? ^-^ thanks in advance


Items I know is SAFE: Aspen Shavings, Timothy Hay, Natural Paper Bedding, Cheap Toilet Paper, Toilet Paper Tubes, Paper Towel Tubes, Applewood Sticks.

I also heard the carefresh bedding has lots of dust on it, which is bad for them too.. Ideas I'm all ears well eyes lol. I was looking at petsmart and they have this new National Geographic bedding with Lavender and coconut fiber. I know lavender is suppose to get rid of the fleas in dogs and cats, I'm sure it does the same for gerbils (not that they have any can't be too careful though) and was wondering if it's okay for them to have it as their bedding. I was thinking of getting that after all my pine/cedar is gone. Tips on food?

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[appledash]

Gerbils are better kept in a tank because they need lots of substrate to dig in, like several inches. Many owners have their minimum 10 gallon, preferably 20 gallon tank full on the bottom of bedding (I use a mix of aspen and carefresh ultra..the ultra isn't dusty like the natural) and then have a tank topper added onto the top for affixing the wheel, water bottle, and some ledges for walking. I have heard of small animals having serious allergies to the lavender bedding, so I wouldn't recommend it. Their respiratory systems are so much smaller and more delicate than ours. I'd suggest just browsing the forums, you'll learn a lot that way, I know I did. Another very good resource for gerbil information I've found is this website: www.shawsheenrivergerbils.com/gerbilpedia.html

[The Cavy House]

Since you are in Canada, you can get Boxo bedding at any Bulk Barn for cheap. It is super soft and less dusty than carefresh. It also holds tunnels well. I mix Boxo with the Kaytee clean and cozy, but the kaytee bedding is a bit more expensive and is very similar. It might be a bit softer and it comes in different colours. It also comes in scents, so you have to make sure you get the unscented.

A 20 gallon long tank is nice or a 29 gallon. a 29 gallon is the same size of a 20 long but its much taller so you can fill it with much more bedding.

you can check kijiji www.kijiji.com for used tanks, to save money.

For food. i personally get Gerri Gerbil but I also have the vitakraft vitasmart gerbil, mouse and rat food. you might have different options where you live. I have to order my Gerri Gerbil food online and have to wait till im in the city for the vitasmart food.

[virtuallyinsane]

Thanks so much for the help. I ended up getting Timothy Hay at PetValu but Bulk Barn is right next door so I'll check for the Boxo Bedding. Only place that has Aspen that I know of is Petsmart.

I also know they say tank, and quite frankly I told my boyfriend fish tank but he ended up going to walmart and getting a giant plastic bin >.> it works I mean they don't seem to mind it. I have no lid for it but I made a lid for it, and put the original cage on top connected with crittertrail tubes. They love that so if they want to run in the wheel or drink water they climb up and have no problems.

I'm still looking on kijiji for tanks though (: I love your suggestions. We recently got them some new food called Bonanza Gourmet Diet for Hamsters and Gerbils, and they LOVE it.

I know my male Barry is very very picky when it comes to food, he'll only eat pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and macadamia nuts xD and this food has huge pumpkin seeds, huge macadamia nuts, and lots and lots of sunflower seeds. Along with other mixtures but they seem to love this new food. Though I might try this food I use to buy way back in the day called Fiesta Max? Back when I was in the states I bought that and had no problems.

Thank you again for the replies I hope they love the Timothy Hay and toilet paper rolls I put in! They seem to be going quite crazy.

[The Cavy House]

as long as they dont chew the bin, bin are fine to use. Just watch out for any signs of chewing through it. I have seen the bonanza food but i have never fed it. Im sure your bulk barn will have it. I have been told they all do. it was at the front of the store by the cashes at the one I go to. its only 10.00 for a 51 liter bag.

[virtuallyinsane]

No the bin is way too high for them to chew it, they try to jump out, but the makeshift lid keeps them from jumping out. I will definitely check it out when I go again thanks again!