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Post by gerbilpetsitter on Jul 2, 2017 14:24:08 GMT -8
I just got the gerbils I am pet sitting a new water bottle. They haven't been drinking from it so I put the other one in the cage with the new one. I tried taking the old water bottle out and putting water on the nozzle of the new one but they lick it and when it drips on them they just ignore it. HELP!!!!!! 
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Post by catnut on Jul 2, 2017 14:59:42 GMT -8
i'd try a bowl, small enough so they can't drown in it, don't know if you have one that would work? I put mine on a tin upside down so they don't put litter in it. Gerbils don't drink a lot so they may just be checking it out, they will drink when they get thirsty. show them with your finger with water on it and see if they will drink it off. maybe give them back the old one as well, unless there is something wrong with it or switch just the nozzle part, if it fits the same?
oh, and if they do smell, maybe they need a cleaning out? just make sure not to remove it all, as that will get them upset, they need some of the old litter.
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Post by gerbilpetsitter on Jul 3, 2017 4:07:35 GMT -8
I'm worried that they will spill the bowl of water and their cage will get smelly again. I have tried several times to show them with my finger then there is water there. The gerbils are smelly because their old water bottle leaks. Thank you for answering I thought that I wouldn't be answered
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Post by catnut on Jul 3, 2017 15:39:43 GMT -8
maybe put a small bowl that is chew proof under the water bottle and use the new bottle, i'm sure they will use it when they are thirsty, gerbils are also sneaky drinkers so if they are shy with you, they will do it when they are all alone. Make sure to throw out wet bedding as that isn't good for them. just show them how the water comes out and make sure they can reach it. Do they like apple( very small pieces and take out if they don't eat it, give to them and watch them eat it), cucumber- what will fit in their paws, as that is ok for them.
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Post by gerbilpetsitter on Jul 4, 2017 5:54:41 GMT -8
Thank you and I think I have a good solution. I will mix in a few grapes with their food so they will have another source of hydration. It will also keep them from being bored with their food. 🍇
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Post by catnut on Jul 4, 2017 14:43:22 GMT -8
i don't think grapes are on the safe list for gerbils, i'd stick to apples, pears and cucumber and only a small amt. they can hold in their paws when you can hand it to them. some gerbils don't like veggies/fruits but you can try.
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Post by Shooting Star on Jul 5, 2017 14:54:51 GMT -8
Grapes are safe, but don't mix them with the main dry food. You'll end up with mold. Just hand-feed each gerbil a pea-sized amount per day. That's not really a good long-term solution, though. Consider marking the water level on their bottle, and seeing if it goes down over the course of a day or two. I would be shocked if they're not sneaking drinks when you aren't watching.
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