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Post by gerbilman on Feb 28, 2015 18:43:02 GMT -8
So recently I've noticed my gerbils have been getting weird. First they just ran up and down the tank. Second they started to chew the plastic on the top of the aquarium. Third one started to jump and hit the top of the cage. I think they are getting bored I change the layout every 2 weeks and I add new things. They had 3 houses and 5 boxes to chew on. But yet they get bored. So today I cleaned the cage. Then I put half of the amount of bedsit to stop them from chewing and being able to jump and hit the top. Then I got new things and mixed it up put in new boxes, and the wheel. Then I put them back in. Now all they're doing is running and the wheel. And running up and down the tank, and trying to jump on the sides. What should I do? P.s. I put a handful of their old bedding in with the new like your suppose to do. Also they've never acted like this before.
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Post by fuzzbutt on Mar 1, 2015 17:55:46 GMT -8
Is there any new smells in the house or area? Burning of candles, new soap, new shower gel/shampoo, new washing powder, new cage cleaner etc anything like that?
Is their cage a good enough size for them? They could have outgrown it?
New food, any recent scares, change of scenery?
You haven't said an age or gender at all but if they are female it could be something to do with going into heat? That only starts at 6 months usually.
That's all I can think of at the time being :/
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Post by gerbilman on Mar 1, 2015 18:21:00 GMT -8
Now that you mention it there is a candle in the room horizontal from the aquarium. Also no change in scenery. 20 gallon long they haven't grown much in a month. Got them at petsmart in September they didn't know the age. I've been using natures miracle cage wipes when I clean the cage. Changed the food today but mixing it in slowly.
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Post by gerbilman on Mar 1, 2015 18:29:50 GMT -8
Ok right now there still doing it the highest hideout is in th dele and they're both on it then one goes off runs on wheel comes back then the other ones goes and it repeats. I also blew ou the candle. If it matters its a Yankee candle Macintosh scent candle.
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Post by fuzzbutt on Mar 1, 2015 18:38:07 GMT -8
Some candles can mess with gerbils, it's a weird thing but I've heard horror stories when they involve aromatherapy sort of scents, apparently it can cause seizures  Most candles are fine however so that's sort of unrelated but that something that could be causing this... The cage is a fair enough size. When changing food you have to switch it out over a period of at least 10 days. I noticed you also asked this question in the behaviour section so hopefully someone there will be more useful than me and have a better solution  If it comes to the worst you could always go in by a qualified vet (with or without the gerbils) and get their professional opinion. Best of luck to you  |
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Post by gerbilman on Mar 1, 2015 18:46:39 GMT -8
Ok thank you, hopefully the candle was the problem and this goes away soon so they can act like gerbils again, and again thanks for your help! Might contact the vet tommrow.
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Most candles are fine however so that's sort of unrelated but that something that could be causing this...
