Keeping gerbils warm in winter?

[daisy]

As we go into the winter months, I'm worried about keeping my gerbils warm during the day. No one is home, except the gerbils, during the day. I will be very expensive to run the heat all day for them, but I don't want them to get cold.  Could I use a heating lamb of the type used for lizards or is there something else I could use that would keep their aquarium area warmer than the rest of the apartment?

Thank you!

[gerbillover9612]

To keep them warm, all i do is if its cold enough for me to have an extra blanket or to where a dressing gown ect, then its cold enough to put in extra bedding :)you could also put a blanket on top of the cage/tank, making sure they dont chew it. xx

[qtoffer]

So long as their home is away from drafty areas and contains several inches of bedding, the gerbils will be fine.

Most people prefer household temperature 70 - 72oF. When you're not home, it's advisable to set it to 64 - 66oF to save energy and money. Turning the heat off altogether or setting it below 64oF doesn't save more money because the heating system has to work that much harder to bring the home back up to a comfy 70oF.

Tips to keep gerbils comfortable during cold weather months:
Glass tanks are warmer than wire cages.
Avoid placing gerbil tanks directly beneath windows or near exterior doors - these are usually the draftiest spots in the home and should be avoided if possible.
If your gerbils are in the basement, try situating them against warmer interior walls.
Provide your gerbils with a nest box (wooden or cardboard) and as much bedding as possible.
Paper bedding is the best insulation against cold. If you use aspen, give your gerbils some unscented toilet paper to shred and line their sleeping chamber.

[ninestone]

In winter, we keep the temp about 65 F during the day when no one is home and it's never seemed to bother our girls. We use paper bedding and have a wooden house and give them some tissues to nest with. Sometime I come home early and they're happily out and about while it's still 65 F.

[Thelodar]

Deep bedding and lots of toilet paper/paper towels to make a nest with.

[daisy]

Thank you for the great advice.