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Post by miasheart on Mar 29, 2005 14:56:24 GMT -8
Our 10 yr. old is expressing great interest to get a gerbil, but we have a few questions since we don't know much about them except we did find info online now. First do they commonly get mites, and if so can they spread to people and a cat? We have an indoor only cat who has never had fleas, mites or any disease ever and I was worried when I saw mites mentioned on one site about gerbils. I do understand there are quite a few people who keep gerbils who also have a cat. Our cat is pretty docile, so I am not worried about keeping one with her around. I am more concerned about any diseases we might bring into the house?? Thanks if you can be of help.
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Post by RitzieAnn on Mar 29, 2005 15:49:44 GMT -8
I've never noticed mites, or fleas or excessive scratching with my gerbils, and I have 10. They only scratch some times, but I'm sure that's for an itch! ;D As far as your searches on line, I've seen a LOT of different things on sites! I've only had gerbils since October, and I did lots of internet searches, but I've learned the most from this forum and the people in it. (Once again Peter, it's a great place! ;D You mods are great too!) Also, probably the best sites I've found are the ones that have links from this forum. If you have further questions, I'd say just read the past threads, or make ones of your own here, and somebody (or LOTS of somebody's) will reply to help you out!  |
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Post by AndreaS15 on Mar 29, 2005 20:54:05 GMT -8
Out of ALL the board i'm listed on, and the years of owning gerbils, I have only EVER heard of ONE case of mites in a ladies clan. (She used head and sholders and they were fine). I don't feel gerbils are disease cariers, for I've never heard of a case yet. My old concern would be fleas from other pet's to gerbils. I've had an indoor cat and gerbils, and though my indoor cat did get fleas once, the gerbils never did. Gerbils are a great family pet, your cat will be interested in them, so make sure to haev a very strong cat/kid proof lid  (Gerbil Tank AKA Cat TV in my house  ) |
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Post by RitzieAnn on Mar 30, 2005 10:22:38 GMT -8
TRUE! I gave some of my pups to my boyfriend's brother and their little weenie dog chooses to watch the gerbils over the 2 birds, the hamster, and the rat! She loved the rat, (and if you asked her whereBuddy was, she'd run to his cage....) but now it's "Lucy, where's the gerbils?" and she sits at Matt's bedroom door and barks and cries and all sorts of stuff! The gerbils could care less, but it's funny to watch! Just make sure you lid is tight, or heavy, or both! Put a book on the edges if you have to! |
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Post by taivas on Apr 2, 2005 8:48:17 GMT -8
Hi First thing: if you decide to keep "a" gerbil, always buy two gerbils. They just need a partner (of the same sex of course...otherwise you´ll be drowning in gerbils soon )and should never be kept single. Siblings unsually do fine together. It shouldn´t be a problem to keep them with a cat.... as long as the cage is safe and the cat isn´t able to open it or push it from a table or whatever. I personally would put the cage at some place where the cat can´t get easily. So it won´t lie on the cage or something like that. I think that would be stress for the gerbils after all. Maybe you can also keep the gerbil in a tank instead of a cage. My friend sometimes brings her ferrets around and I made the experience that the ferrets aren´t interested in my "tank gerbils", while they tried to climb the cage I also have. The gerbil group I keep in that cage wasn´t amused at all. About deseases.... I haven´t had any problems with fleas and mites in almost two years. I heared that sometimes you can bring in mites with hay or stuff like that but it never happened to me so far. It´s important to have a close look at the gerbils when you buy them. See that their fur is clean and the animals in general look healthy. Watch the whole group you´re taking your animals from and also the place they are kept in. If only one animal of the group looks "strange" or the cage they are kept in is dirty don´t buy your animals there. Greatings, Sabine |
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Post by sweetie on Apr 4, 2005 17:43:09 GMT -8
Hi Mias,
Welcome to the Forum!! Gerbils are great pets and offer a great learning experience for children. I have 8 adult gerbils, 3 dogs and 1 outside cat. My dogs are more interested in the gerbils than my cat. I have the gerbils in the playpen and the cat comes over, sits down and would rather have a pat than a gerbil. Of course if and when his interest in them is more intense, I make sure that he is out of the way. I know when he is ready to *play*, his pupils dialate, and he crouches. I try to keep them separated when they are out of the tanks.
I have not had any problem with mites. I think that on the rare occasion that people purchased food or bedding in bulk, they contained the mites. If you are only going to get a pair of gerbils, you won't have to buy in bulk.
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Post by RitzieAnn on Apr 5, 2005 0:29:53 GMT -8
Mites in bulk, huh? I've never heard of that! I'm thinking about bulk just becaues I have 10 gerbils. I mix Corn Cob/KayCob and shavings.... Have you just heard of mites from generic brands, or from big brands too, like Kaytee?  Also, when I clean my tanks out, I put it into my bunnie's litter box. It saves on litter prices for me, since his box should be changed completely nearly every 2 days! He had fleas once, but never mites..... I'd rather him have fleas... should I worry? |
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Post by sweetie on Apr 5, 2005 5:42:43 GMT -8
Ritzie,
I was talking bulk food and shavings from a feed N seed store. What happens is they are stored outside sometimes and get in the supply. I think a memeber on this Forum had that problem. She just froze the food for 24 hours before giving it to them. It killed all the bugs!
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