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Post by leafwhisp on Mar 30, 2015 13:14:34 GMT -8
So original when I researched gerbils all sites said not to give gerbils colored cardboard. I was wondering if it actually matters or not, because for 5 yrs of gerbil owning I stayed away from cardboard with ink.
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Post by fysha on Mar 30, 2015 14:02:38 GMT -8
In all my years of having/owning gerbils, I have always given them kleenex boxes and cracker boxes with no ill effects.
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Post by leafwhisp on Mar 30, 2015 14:17:27 GMT -8
Maybe all this stressing out to find plain cardboard was a waste! Now I know. XD  ? |
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Post by qtoffer on Mar 30, 2015 16:54:36 GMT -8
I've been giving gerbils colored cardboard for 7 years with no problem. I prefer cardboard from food packaging boxes (cereal, pasta, rice, powdered drink mixes, etc).
My only restrictions:
No corrugated (concerned about glue)
No waxy cardboard (frozen foods, juice cartons, etc)
No cardboard boxes that packaged chemicals or drugs (cleaning products, cold/cough medicine, prescription meds, etc)
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Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
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RIP
Maire 11/6/2008 - 4/6/2011; Eithne 11/6/2008 - 10/10/2011
Lori 5/2/2011 - 7/24/2013; Mo 5/2/2011 - 1/14/2014; Carly 5/2/2011 - 5/21/2014
Arwen 11/12/2011 - 2/8/2015
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Post by cathy123 on Mar 31, 2015 1:24:48 GMT -8
I sometimes give them the paper bag that their food was in and I've had no problems. I also give them old socks which are usually coloured and they love ripping it apart and nesting in it  |
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Post by vexorg on Mar 31, 2015 1:27:58 GMT -8
Most packaging is ok from our experience. Common sense as stated, no waxy cardboard, no glue or plastic.
Every now and then we get a toolstation catalog through the door. They love them, violently rip pages out and shred them for bedding. You have to be careful which ones, we once gave them a different catalog and the black ink must have come off on them, realised the next day when they had little black paws - shampoo and wash time to get them cleaned up.
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AJ
member
They/them pronouns please
Posts: 37
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Post by AJ on Mar 31, 2015 9:06:37 GMT -8
One test I always use-Put a drop of water on the cardboard. If the ink bleeds, don't use it, but if it doesn't bleed (and its not waxy/chemically/etc), its safe to use |
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Mar 31, 2015 9:21:20 GMT -8
i always give my gerbil colored cardboard. They love shredding cereal boxes as vexorg said, most UK cardboard is safe as they make it safe for children incase they get hold of it. But, someone on the Gerbil Forum (cant remember who, sorry) said it is best not to used boxes that are made for frozen food as that cardboard is specially formed or something which would make it unsafe for gerbils |
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Post by betty on Apr 2, 2015 13:39:06 GMT -8
Yeah, any 'normal' cardboard is fine. I get a lot of stuff given to me, so I have to sort through it carefully.
No medicines, salty things, loose tea leaves, toiletries I can still smell in the box, tetrapac, waxy, glue-like, printer related, chocolatey, the list goes on. There is plenty of 'good' cardboard out there, so they never go short no matter how fussy I am.
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Post by leafwhisp on Apr 2, 2015 15:33:48 GMT -8
Ok, how about fabric? is it ok?
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Post by betty on Apr 3, 2015 1:50:02 GMT -8
I don't use fabric myself as I don't trust all the little threads. I once brought some corn tunnels which had some material rings at each end that I hadn't seen, and after a bit of chewing, the threads came lose and I saw the odd gerbil getting its arm caught, and kept my eye on it.
When I saw a head get caught - they all came straight out.
They couldn't seem to chew through the fabric very easily, even though they chewed it for a while, so I don't use it for anything now, just in case.
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