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Post by Amie on Sept 17, 2005 11:46:32 GMT -8
I am probably getting gerbils in December, and would like to know how to safety proof their tank from the cats. Can anyone give me valuble insight.
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Post by sandy on Sept 17, 2005 15:30:57 GMT -8
I have a cat that has free access to the gerbil room. All my tanks have solid either wood or plastic slats reinforcing the mesh on top, so the cat can't pry open the lids or fall in when walking over them but the gerbils are well aerated. As long as there is some weight or some kind of latch keeping the lid down you are ok. And make sure to always close the lids after working with the gerbils! Also make sure the mesh is too small for gerbil noses to peek out and get nipped, or for cat paws to sneak inside.
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Post by jes on Sept 17, 2005 17:42:38 GMT -8
Just buy a regular wire mesh screen made for tanks and get some clips for it. Then put something heavy on top of it.
You can safe proof it even more by putting the tank on a shelf so the cats can't get on top of it.
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Post by reallybes on Sept 17, 2005 18:15:02 GMT -8
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Post by Shrimply on Sept 18, 2005 2:19:14 GMT -8
First give your gerbils about a week cat free if possible. Then under your supervision put the cat in the room. Every time it approaches the tank give it a spay with a water sprayer for watering plants. I know this sounds cruel but a lot of cats realize very quickly the gerbil cage is a very bad idea. Sadly a few with no brains can get squirted over and over again to no effect.
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Post by gerbillover2000 on Sept 18, 2005 10:56:38 GMT -8
i simply put of book over top the lid, resting on the sides on the tank. the cats sit on the book, not the cage that way.
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Post by sandy on Sept 18, 2005 21:08:23 GMT -8
Once my cat realized there was no possible way into the tanks she quit trying. She still likes watching "gerbil tv" though.
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Post by jes on Sept 18, 2005 21:12:02 GMT -8
Cats can't get on top of a shelf it there's another shelf above it not giving them enough room.  |
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Post by squeaksister on Sept 19, 2005 4:56:10 GMT -8
Cats can't get on top of a shelf it there's another shelf above it not giving them enough room. Apparently you've never met my cat, she could get into shelves no problem, whether it was top bottom or in between  |
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Post by sorchajude on Sept 19, 2005 7:09:08 GMT -8
i dont need to worry about my cat because my cat is scared of my gerbils lol
ellorie
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Post by Amie on Sept 19, 2005 9:09:08 GMT -8
thanks guys! your help has really hepled me so much. Thanks again!
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Post by lizzy on Sept 19, 2005 11:53:57 GMT -8
:S Its really not a good idea to let cats near rodents even if their cages/tanks are "cat-proof". It teases/antagonises the cat and stresses the gerbils out also. :/
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Post by AndreaS15 on Sept 23, 2005 11:21:43 GMT -8
:S Its really not a good idea to let cats near rodents even if their cages/tanks are "cat-proof". It teases/antagonises the cat and stresses the gerbils out also. :/ I don't agree at all. All my pet's whether a cat or dog, LOVE "Gerbil TV", and my gerbils could care less, they know thay are safe in there little home, and the Cat/Dog knows gerbils are only for looking. Now all pets are going to act differently to new animals in the house, so weather your other pet cares or not of the gerbils in the home, always make sure they are safe. Along time ago my cat fell into the gerbils tank, I freaked out but couldn't get mad at the cat, One he was terrified, these little gerbils were walking all over him, and well it was my fault for not having a proper lid that could hold the weight of a cat who's trying to use it as a step up to somewhere esle (to hid from children lol). If you have a pet that seems a threat to your other ones, or your rodents so act upset with the other animals in the house, then it's time to make sure they are seperated, but i wouldn't see this as a reason to abandon hopes of owning a gerbil... cuz they are just way to much fun! |
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Post by sandy on Sept 24, 2005 12:04:44 GMT -8
LOL yeah, Andrea, you are right! The cat and dog are not a problem. Actually the little creatures that seem to threaten gerbils the most and that I have to watch like a hawk are kids! My two oldest know the ropes: always make sure the lid goes back on after play time with gerbils, always wash hands before and after playtime, never leave the gerbils alone when playing with them, etc.
My two-year old I have to watch much more carefully because she is a smart little monkey and is learning to get things off high places (pushes a chair over and climbs up) but thankfully hasn't figured out door handles! And of course I have to watch carefully when I have my kids' friends over, because they don't know the rules.
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Post by lizzy on Sept 24, 2005 13:50:33 GMT -8
just because your gerbils are okay with the cats watching them doesn't mean they all are. Some animals will understand that rodents are just for looking but they do have instincts even though they are domesticated. some cats are different from others. My cat was fine with "watching" all rodents until one day where instinct took over. Its good that your felines/canines are good with your gerbils but not everyone's is, and personally i wouldn't want to take the risk.
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