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Post by dors on Mar 13, 2006 2:31:12 GMT -8
I adopted three gerbils last summer from a local shelter. I have no idea of their age. Definately have to be at least 1 1/2. They are all female. Lately one of them has gained alot of weight. Everytime I look in the tank she is eating. They are in a 20gl tank with three wheels suspended from the screen top. Gerbil gym, no waiting. (Of course they are usually all in the same wheel anyway). We keep them in an enclosed shower stall and take them out of their tank 3-5x a week for 15 min or so. They use us as their jungle gym. They eat a good gerbil food with no fillers. They each get one cheerio 2x a week and very rarely a small piece of fresh banana each. She usually finishes first and then tries to steal the others treats, lots of squeaking ensues. Could this be old age? Or winter weight? She's a little porker, but happy and healthy in every other way.
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Post by lizzy on Mar 13, 2006 11:36:07 GMT -8
Well, as they get older gerbils often tend to be lazier.
She is probably the dominant one which explains why she is able to steal food off the others. Maybe try and take her out the tank and let the others eat first, putting her back in after? That way the other two will get first dibs and probably take the favourite - and most fattening - foods first, leaving her less choice. You could let her run around ie in a gerbil playpen.
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Post by dors on Mar 14, 2006 16:30:56 GMT -8
I'm wondering about when you said to feed the others first, I always have food in their dish. Am I supposed to limit the food? If I did that, I think she might bully the others for food. She tries to get their treats, but she doesn't succeed. I thought like rabbits they should always have food available. I feed them Kaytee exact rainbow. It is all food, no seeds or fillers. The other two run around alot, but she mainly eats and chews up the wood and cardboard. Her mouth is always in action. Do gerbils get thyroid problems?
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