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Post by AndreaS15 on Oct 5, 2005 19:15:58 GMT -8
So i was browsing and saw rawhide in a picture with gerbils. So now i'm curious, what are the thoughts and does anyone else keep this in there tanks? I guess I could see a benifit, help keep teeth down and nails trimmed. But i'm not a rawhide fan at all. I wouldn't give it to my dog being it's not digestable and is produced with chemicals. This isn't me saying "i'm right your wrong" or anything, I just want to know other people experiances and knowledge on it. So, tell me; Do you use Rawhide as an enrichment toy in your gerbils tank? and what are your comments on it? Thanks
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Post by meganb52 on Oct 5, 2005 21:32:44 GMT -8
My thoughts on rawhide are that it could be an ok enrichment for gerbils. There are some stipulations, however. Most rawhide products are produced in other countries where processing laws aren't as strict as they are in the United States (not sure about the UK or the rest of Europe). Most of these countries us compounds containing arsenic or other toxic chemicals to help detach the hide from the carcass of the cow. This process is illegal in the U.S. and so I would recommend for any animal given rawhide that the owner make sure the products were made in the USA. Other "doggie chew toys" Safe for gerbils include Greenies chew bones (the smallest size you can buy or the little bits). I wouldn't leave a whole one of those bones in the cage with them, rather let them chew it for a little while then remove it for another day.
-Megan
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Post by sweetie on Oct 6, 2005 9:54:18 GMT -8
I guess I had never thought of rawhide. I do give it to my dogs occassionally. I know that the dogs do ingest the bone and it gives them the runs but I am not sure if the gerbs would ingest it.
It is an excellent question and I am wondering what you all think. There are other items for dogs like dent a bones that I am now wondering if it will work.
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Post by ashgerbil on Oct 6, 2005 10:57:27 GMT -8
well, i never thought of rawhide as a gerbil treat! i think i'll just stick to their normal stuff though, they seem to like that best
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vicky
member
Gerbil lover!
Posts: 21
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Post by vicky on Oct 6, 2005 12:35:02 GMT -8
I've used it a couple of times, mine never ate it, not even chewed on it... I doo give them alot of cardbord thingies and brances to chew on so that might explain why they don't, I've had this rawhide shoe for ages and the young ones really like to play in it, I read somewere that rawhide was okay for birds so I figured I'd try for my Gerbils aswell
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Post by vic on Oct 7, 2005 19:21:47 GMT -8
Where can you find rawhide? My gerbs don't use thier chew sticks so maby I'll try that. But I dont know where to get it.
Anyone Know? vic
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Post by reallybes on Oct 7, 2005 20:01:08 GMT -8
Where can you find rawhide? My gerbs don't use thier chew sticks so maby I'll try that. But I dont know where to get it. Anyone Know? vic You can find rawhide in any petstore, usually in the dog section. Or in the pet section of any supermarket, look where the dog treats/food are, there will usually be rawhide available.
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Post by AndreaS15 on Oct 7, 2005 21:58:25 GMT -8
Well I think I will stick to wood and coardboard in my tanks. Being non digestable and i may not know 'where' it is comming from, and seeing that people who have put it in there tanks and the gerbils don't really use it I don't think it will be anything I will be buying.
Thanks for the comments for sure!
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vicky
member
Gerbil lover!
Posts: 21
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Post by vicky on Oct 8, 2005 7:22:04 GMT -8
the gerbils don't really use it Well they can alway's play with it Keramik thingies to put in your tank/cage are somtimes expensive but rawhide shoes are not
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Post by ashgerbil on Oct 8, 2005 8:34:06 GMT -8
yes, rawhide is alot cheaper than most gerbil toys! ;D
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Oct 9, 2005 5:09:24 GMT -8
Most rawhide products are produced in other countries where processing laws aren't as strict as they are in the United States (not sure about the UK or the rest of Europe). Well I gues most rawhide products in Europe are also produced somewhere else. The European Union has very strict rules concerning food and health, and chemicals in products, therefor the members states have them too. Although the EU legislation is mostly about products that are for human consumption! Or indirect for human consumption, like food for farm animals. This because the EU has much power in agriculture. Maybe legislation on food for pets (animal not for human consumption) is only national not European. So every memberstate can have different laws. I'm not sure how it is!
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Post by vic on Oct 9, 2005 9:33:17 GMT -8
Where can you find rawhide? My gerbs don't use thier chew sticks so maby I'll try that. But I dont know where to get it. Anyone Know? vic You can find rawhide in any petstore, usually in the dog section. Or in the pet section of any supermarket, look where the dog treats/food are, there will usually be rawhide available. Thanks Reallybes! I ite try that. But I dont' know.
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Post by AndreaS15 on Oct 10, 2005 20:04:45 GMT -8
the gerbils don't really use it Well they can alway's play with it Keramik thingies to put in your tank/cage are somtimes expensive but rawhide shoes are not
They may be cheap, but i know they are not digestable, and don't have a real great way of finding out wether they used chemicals producing them, so I'll stick to my fun dollar store wooden spoons and cardboard to keep my gerbies happy.
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