send problem???

[aku]

I am from Slovenia so I dont speak english wery good. but anyway, does someone know if the smallest grains of sand(dust) do any harm to gerbils( thers respiratorial parts)? ty

[j]

It's fine for the adults.

I only had a problem with sand when I put pups in it. They had a respirtory infection from it.

[sweetie]

I have not had a problem with the dust and my gerbils are about 4 months or 16 weeks old. I could only find chinchilla dust not the chinchilla sand. I suppose it does exist but I can't find it any where around (South Carolina USA). Peter recommended the finely crushed bird gravel but I tried 2 different types and they will not use it. I give them a bath with the dust at least 2-3 times a week and have not noticed any ill effects.

[floppy]

I only use chinchilla sand for my gerbils. I have read in lots of places that really fine sand is bad for them because they can breathe it into their lungs...If you think about it, most bedding for small animals says it has dust extracted so it can't be good for them. I also know from experience that anything with dust in it will most likely cause a respiratory infection and I have never let pups or young gerbils bathe in the sand. Only adults. They often get some in their eyes when they are really young...
I wouldn't recommend anything dusty. Try to get chinchilla SAND.

[sweetie]

Floppy,
Do you know where I could get the "sand"? I have looked in all the pet stores and feel I have utilized all of my resources. Do you have any suggestions???

I was concerned about the inhalation of the dust however, the gerbils won't use the bird sand no matter how finely crushed it is. They tend to get oily with in a day or two. I even tried mixing the dust with the sand and "weening" them off the dust on to the sand but they won't use it.

Also forgot to mention that they have had no ill effects and they have been using it for about a month every other day

[j]

sweetie said:

I have not had a problem with the dust and my gerbils are about 4 months or 16 weeks old. I could only find chinchilla dust not the chinchilla sand. I suppose it does exist but I can't find it any where around (South Carolina USA). Peter recommended the finely crushed bird gravel but I tried 2 different types and they will not use it. I give them a bath with the dust at least 2-3 times a week and have not noticed any ill effects.

My gerbils were about 4 weeks old when they were in sand..that's why I had problems. They're about 3 months now and do fine in it.
I'm in the USA..
You can get Chinchilla Sand at Petsmart, Petco or Petsuppliesplus (probably other places too)..
It comes in a purple box.. Usually it's hidden on a bottom shelf somewhere under the water bottles
www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441777986&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026329&bmUID=1091487054336

[floppy]

The links J gave you should be fine...I can't tell you exactly where because we live halfway across the world from each other! lol

[sweetie]

Hey J & Floppy,

I have gone to PetSmart, Outdoor world, PetLand etc. I can't find it any where. It may be a regional thing. I used to live in New England and when I moved to SC 3 years ago I had a hard time finding what I was used to.

I will ask a manager if they are out of it or if they scould special order it for me!!! Thanks again. I will also look for a purple box instead of a yellow cylinder!

[moghedien]

Hey, I sympathize with your problem. I've never seen chinchilla sand anywhere in Alabama, only the dust. However, what I've heard recommended and what I use myself is child's sanitized play sand. You can get it at Wal-Mart for not that much money (like maybe 5 bucks, I think?) in the Lawn/Garden section. It only comes in 50 lb bags (which isn't that much volume, believe it or not), but it's cheap and will last for a VERY long time. My gerbils seem to like it and I haven't experienced any health problems with it.

[sweetie]

Thanks, I was actually going to try AC Moore to get the craft sand. I will try the kids sand since it is sanitized and not treated like the craft sand might be.

[j]

Oh yeah.. if you have a ToysRuss near you, they sell bags of children's sand that's pefectly safe for gerbils. Especially now because of it being summer. It's actually cheaper than the chinchilla sand..usually like a 5lb bag for $5

[sweetie]

Hi,
Just wanted to drop a than you on Maghedein. I got the play sand and they love it!! I was questioning if they would use it. They did not go in right away but then after a few minutes they got in and rolled around. The particles are big enough so that they don't breathe it in and amall enough that they like it!
I really thought the gerbils were at least 4 months old but they are only 14 weeks!! I have been using the dust for about 3-4 weeks. I would say that I am fortunate that nothing happened.

Thank you again!!!

[sweetie]

Me again,
J,
I do have a Toys R Us near me. Thanks for the info. Now I know whereto go if I can't get it from Walmart!!

I was re-reading and saw that you posted the 4 week olds got a respiratory infection. Was that from the sand or the dust? Can I still use the rest of the dust on them (I do notice a difference in the end result) since they are older or should I stay away from it all together?

[j]

It was from the chinchilla sand. They do fine with it now though. I never used the dust so don't know anything about that.

4 weeks was still weaning and respritory prone age. That was my mistake.

[sweetie]

Oh my goodness Are you saying that the pups got a respiratory infection from the sand? How does the mom stay clean?? Do you leave her in the tank all the time while she's nursing or can you let her out to run around and bath then put her back in? Mine need a bath at least every other day!! I now mix the play sand and the chinchilla dust. It does a better job and it was so expensive I find it hard to just throw it away!!