Gerbil died, thinking of getting one or two more

[fluffy501]

They were both at least 2and a half years old. The one I have left seems fine physically. How long do you think this one will live? The other one always seemed weaker and it had a time where it almost starved of food and dehydration from escaping for 3 days (2 years ago) so maybe that did it damage.

Thinking of getting one or two young ones for my left gerbil which is female?

[fluffy501]

What do you think?

It has quite a good nature (compared to the other one anyway). Should I get one or two and which age and gender is best for a 2 1/2 year old female??

[t1gg3er]

Sorry to hear about your gerbil dying. It would be good if you could find a friend or two for your remaining girl. You have a number of options open to you but personally I'd probably either go for an older single male if you can find one in need of a new home or a pair of pups (either gender) so when your older girl passes on they'll still have each other.

[fluffy501]

I'm not sure if the tank would be big enough for 3? It's the standard tank with two levels.

Also do I have to use the split method? I have nothing to use to split the tank and I also don't think it'd be easy to divide the space. Do you think I couldn just introduce them in a neutral environment? I would like them to be as easy to introduce as possible, how easy do you think an older male or a pup(s) would be? Sorry for all the questions - these were my first two

If you could reply today it would be great because I'm hoping to get them tomorrow, she doesn't like being on her own much :/

[PurpleSheep]

Introducing them on neutral territory is very risky, a split cage is a much safer method to ensure they can bond and get along permanently.

It may be best if you take something time to look into different methods of building a split cage. You can easily make one out of a plastic bin and then move them into your normal tank when they have bonded. That way, you also have a spare cage in case there are ever any problems.

I would say either get one older male or two pups, so you don't end up with another lone gerbil. If you don't have space for three, then the older male is probably the best option.

[fluffy501]

OK thanks

I might try making a bin cage and splitting it. I don't know where I can get an older male at short notice so I think I will get one pup, I know two would be better but I don't have the space. I would take more time researching but she really doesn't seem to like being alone

[cinnamon]

Have you perhaps got a breeder somewhere near you that could have younger gerbils? Our breeder often puts about 4-5 week old gerbils in with an older, lone one as at that age they are usually accepted by the older one without any problems and there is no need for a split cage. It has so far always worked for us, even with females where the chances of success are generally a lot slimmer.

[fluffy501]

I don't know, how would I find a breeder? I will see though, thanks

[fluffy501]

Pet shop said I should leave it alone for at least a week before introducing another, is this true?
And they also said it might not accept another one because its only known that other gerbil?

[theia]

Yes you should give her some time (a week or two) before trying to introduce another gerbil(s) to her, this will give her time to 'forget' her old friend. But there is no reason that you can't get another gerbil now and keep it seperately in another tank before the introduction, it is usually best to give the new gerbil time to settle in to your home, get used to you and your routines and also recommended to quarantine any new gerbils for 2 weeks anyway in case they have any illnesses they could pass on to your existing gerbil.

There is no reason why she would not accept a new friend (except of course their own secret gerbil reasons where they sometimes just don't like each other), they tend to forget their old friend/old friends scent after a few days (make sure to wash everything and clean her tank out to remove any old scents of her old friend) and prefer company in most cases to being left alone.

[fluffy501]

Couldn't find any female young ones anywhere but just got one today, its about 3 & 1/2 months old,I know that is not the suggested age but it was all there was and it was on its own in the shop. I have their cages next to each oter, will update on how it goes

[fluffy501]

When they are close through the bars the older one doesn't seem very interested in the new young one, do you think this is a good sign or bad? The younger one however seems interested in her.

[fluffy501]

Just put them together twice for about 5/10 minutes and the young one was very interested in the older one and was grooming it (good sign?) But the older one was barely paying any attention, mostly flat out ignoring and only acknowledged the other a couple of times :/

There was no fighting at all so that is good right

[theia]

Sounds promising to me, so the older one is happily letting the younger one groom and interact with her? And there's been no posturing by either gerbil? If that's so I'd say keep trying for longer periods of time (obviously while keeping a constant eye on them and being ready to seperate them just in case), until you feel they are ready to stay together permanently.

[fluffy501]

Yeah the older one seems to be pretty neutral about it. I just put the young one in with her and the older one went over to her very briefly and then went back to chewing cardboard liek she wasn't bothered I watched for about 20 minutes and there was no hint of aggression at all, they were both chewing and digging. The young one is very active though and is digging around a lot, I worry a bit about the older one getting enough rest

Ths older one is avoiding the younger one a bit though, even though there is no aggression. 
I separated them again because the older one looked like it wasnt getting any peace. I'm not sure what to do