pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Dec 14, 2004 9:44:01 GMT -8
is it normal that my gebrils drink a really large amount. I heard that it can cause them to have diahreah but im not sure if ths is true. They have really long drinks about 3 times a day. Thanx pixytwinkle
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simcoe
Member
Ginger & Bucky ? My girls.
Posts: 62
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Post by simcoe on Dec 14, 2004 10:45:36 GMT -8
If you don't see any abnormal poop I wouldn't worry about it. It may seem like your water bottle flows freely when you tap it with your finger, but the gerbil's tongue presses a lot softer than that. From my observation it takes a lot of little licks to get water out of the average bottle, so they may not be getting as much as you think. To be on the safe side, offer watery veggies only sparingly. Hold back on things like lettuce, which are almost all water. My gerbs spend a lot of time at the bottle when they decide to drink. I call them my little water buffaloes.
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Post by paws on Dec 14, 2004 11:04:20 GMT -8
hmmm, so do mine!
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pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Dec 15, 2004 8:21:24 GMT -8
ok thanx pixytwinkle
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Post by sweetie on Dec 15, 2004 14:38:09 GMT -8
Also depending on where you live, what season it is, and what type of heat you have, they drink more often. For example, It is winter, we have the heat on and it is gas heat. It is very dry in here (as noted by the static electricity and the shocks we get from the cat and the static in our hair). We are very thirsty also.
Do you have a female? Females also drink more when they are pregnant or nursing.
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pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Dec 16, 2004 9:50:08 GMT -8
well i live in the uk and its winter and freezing cold. We do have the heating on at night so its hot then but even during the day when its a little colder they still drink a large amount. I would say they go over to their waterbottle at least 3 times a day and stay there for a long time sometimes they go and have a drink and then 10 minutes after they are back again having another one. I have one female and a male. Thanx pixytwinkle
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Post by sweetie on Dec 19, 2004 21:30:11 GMT -8
The heat does not have to be on all the time for it to dry out the atmosphere. She is probably pregnant and dry from the heat. The dry circulated air (heat) causes dry skin, chapped lips and we as do the gerbils need to take in more liquids to compensate for it.
If she is pregnant, you may want to consider adding a little extra protien to her diet and keep an eye on her.
Hope this has helped.
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Post by j on Dec 20, 2004 15:03:26 GMT -8
Yeah it's the dry, dead air. Mine have been drinking a lot too. I've also noticed them scratching. Same with my dog..he's been scratching and his skin is all flakey.
And water doesn't cause diahreah.. it's too much fruit and vegetables that can cause it.
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pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Dec 22, 2004 5:44:31 GMT -8
ok thanx it has helped alot. I have been adding extra vitamins to there water some times will this harm her if she pregnant? thanx pixytwinkle
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