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Post by gerbilluv10 on Mar 29, 2007 17:12:22 GMT -8
i used to use ping pong balls for toys. It was best when i had a cage and briefcase tunnel cage all linked up with tubes. There were 3 balls somwehere in the cages, but they would actually push all 3 into the tube and push them all the way around. Now the tubes and cages are different so it can't be moved around, but they still like to juggle one ball about when in their fidgety or playful moods. about that! haha! i saw a funny/cute video on that! i'll get it!!! i'll post it in a new thread! ;D
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Post by iamsomeone on May 14, 2007 11:37:35 GMT -8
ping pong balls are great toys for gerbs
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Post by sismith42 on Jun 22, 2007 12:22:48 GMT -8
On the subject of cardboard to chew if you are not sure about it being contaminated then a blast in the microwave will disinfect the card. (not too long though as don't want to set fire to the card!) I do this with egg boxes especially just in case there is chicken do do on them!! ;D That's brilliant about zaping cardboard, not something i'd thought of doing (I just look at my egg boxes and see if it's "cleanish" then assume that since most chickens in the UK are vaccinated for salmonilla, it'll be safe enough.) Steph
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Post by gerbillover2000 on Jul 20, 2007 16:28:04 GMT -8
mind if I add something...?
When it's SUPERVISED playtime in the playpen or room or wherever, kid toys make good hideouts and toys. I have 3 little plastic animal carriers I've had since I was little they love to hide in, and some horse jumps, trailers and accesories from when I was younger they love too. Just watch out and make sure THEY DON'T CHEW THE PLASTIC! If they do, you'll have to find something else to play with!
In wood houses, I've found that quite a few of them have staples in them, so ALWAYS check. they may be detectable.
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sai
Member
Posts: 79
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Post by sai on Jul 20, 2007 19:07:17 GMT -8
At your local garden centre, car boot sale, market etc. you can probably find cheap stone garden ornaments. I have a stone head that was given to me for free (but its too ugly, lol ). At local charity shops you can probably find cheap dishes, tins and bowls for sandbaths (and at the same time you're helping other humans ). You can also find cups but make sure the handle is large enough for the gerbil to get through (break it off if not, make sure theres no sharp edges left after breaking).
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Post by gerbilover713 on Sept 9, 2007 9:10:52 GMT -8
#2, if you use Wood like Pine (YES YOU CAN!) Put paper towel on the bottom of the cage, and your gerbils will find it, and shread it for you!
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Post by RitzieAnn on Sept 11, 2007 7:27:01 GMT -8
Pine bedding has been *highly* frowned uppon. I, myself have even lost a few to pine bedding. However, the paper towels are great. Also, tissue paper, like gift wrap (minus any parts with tape, or marker...etc)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2008 10:15:31 GMT -8
Question about the corn (#4). Are you talking about the kind that comes in gerbil food mixes? Mine don't touch it.
Uhura
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Post by cwafavre on Jun 15, 2008 3:59:33 GMT -8
Just wanted to make a point after reading a few posts.
This is in regards to the dust baths that our little dudes needs now and then.
I'm noticing a lot of people claiming they have messes building up in the cage, and they keep the dust bath separated from the living quarters. My main concern is whether or not you folks know that you should NOT keep your dust bath bowl in the cage, living area, or anywhere the gerbils can access it all the time!
The dust bath should be placed in by you EACH DAY FOR AROUND 10-15 MINUTES. Don't leave the bath in there, because it defeats the point of giving it to them in the 1st place. For one, they look forward to the excitement for the day, the mess is prevented, and you reduce the chance that they may inhale too much dust as they play around in it. The dust does get them clean, but it can harm their lungs too, because it is so fine. Chinchilla sand actually does a lot better, but should still be treated the same way.
Again, I don't know if someone else has suggested this (I did not read all the replays to the original post) but it is concerning that not 1 person has mentioned that you should not keep the sand bath in the cage... I've done a lot of reading on gerbils, and that's a no-no.
Just think of it as a shower... we do not constantly take baths and showers... it's more like a once a day event. Same goes for the gerbils!
Hope this advice is useful.
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Post by Tristan on Jun 29, 2008 6:49:40 GMT -8
Well I didn't know that ^. Are there any websites which say this or is this from experience? In the wild sand is obviously abundent for them so I would have thought it would've been okay.
However, I admit they're in captive environments where they get bored and something is to be looked forward too.
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Post by Chivalry on Jun 30, 2008 6:09:16 GMT -8
I have a single femle atm who gets fairly lonely so I put a mirror by her tank and she thinks she can see another gerbil! Stops her from feeling left out ^_^
Also I turned a lizard tank (which was too small to keep a gerbil in) into a sand and play tank which my gerbs go into when I am cleaning - there's about an inch of sand in there and they have a great time!
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Post by meiteoh on Aug 6, 2008 7:51:04 GMT -8
I think I need to stock up on toilet roll. My two boys just devoured one in less than six hours!!!!!!!!!!!
I got them a porcelain pot, wooden logs, glass dish and tissues. Am planning to throw in some more rolls (DIY style from cardboard boxes)...
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Post by twisellemegdonna on Aug 27, 2008 11:43:26 GMT -8
i have man toys for my gerbils. i have a reptilee cave that if chewed its ok because itd made of some vitamin. i made her tunnels leading to chambers because i can't find bedding she can tunnel with. i have a small sandbath that is just a little soap holder. hope these added to all thee cool ideas! P.S. if you know what kind of bedding i can get at petsmart, walmart, petco, target, or pet central for cheap that she can tunnels with...POST IT Megan At Meijer they have bedding exactly like Carefresh but a little bit cheaper. Also K-Mart has bedding like Carefresh, but way cheaper then normal price. Cardboard tubes work well because they chew it up. Oh yah and corn cobs are pretty good bedding to same with aspen but no pine or cedar!
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Post by solitairedaxel on Sept 11, 2008 3:43:01 GMT -8
My gerbils usually only get a sand-bath once every 2-4 weeks (definitely every 4 weeks, as that's the full-tank clean-out date and I weigh them in the sand jar) barring my current trio. I was advised to put in a sand jar for Karus, and the other two in the tank use it on and off as well.
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Post by nicnak044 on Apr 21, 2009 13:10:37 GMT -8
I have a little tip about Sand baths I am not sure if alot of people do this but I have a huge cage that my girls spend all their time in and I have a small tank. When I am cleaning their cage I put them in the tank. I add a little dish in the tank with the chinchilla dust in it. So while I am cleaning their cage they can just take a bath while waiting. It makes it easier and alot cleaner. Hope this helps some people!
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