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Post by londongerbils on Apr 13, 2020 11:20:32 GMT -8
Does anyone have any tips on caring for an older gerbil? My oldest gerbil Was adopted and is at least 2 years old. I’ve noticed her sleeping more and slowing down a bit, although she is still eating, drinking and active when the mood takes her. How do you keep your older gerbils happy? Any ideas would be great!
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Post by betty on Apr 14, 2020 10:53:58 GMT -8
I tend to go for a flatter set up if their mobility is compromised - without too much uneven-ness or drops. There will always be at least one ledge as I find that older gerbils tend to prefer to urinate or poop on a flat surface (well, when there is flat surface (like a wooden ledge) they always poop and pee on it anyway).
I usually change the food to be more easy to eat/more nutritious per bite (like shucked seeds rather than shelled seeds and flaked oats rather than whole oats etc.) and I scatter feed all over the place - so wherever they are - they can eat something.
They tend to stop being able to comfortably chew things - but toilet paper tubes are usually the softest (or easiest to hold/chew/support) - so I only offer them. I know you wouldn't think cardboard was different but I often have older gerbil that stop chewing kitchen rolls or other 'soft-looking' cardboard - but will always chew a toilet roll - so there must be something different?
Regular fresh treats are offered - but most treats I offer can be eaten in a few bites - that way they don't have to hold anything too heavy and stay upright too long. I also offer more treats throughout the day rather than all at once - and I offer more fresh foods too like flowers and blossom where I can. And the odd live food item...
I also use a reptile heat mat in their sleeping area to start with - making sure it doesn't heat up any of their food or water. They also only have another identical place to sleep without the heatmat incase they want to move away.
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Post by ps25 on Apr 14, 2020 16:10:02 GMT -8
I had an older gerbil that used to love to go for short walks with me. I would take her out in a carrier. Her vision wasnt great but I swear she would perk up when she got a fresh breeze in her nose. She seemed to really enjoy the experience.
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Post by londongerbils on Apr 15, 2020 11:27:34 GMT -8
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Post by jal on Apr 17, 2020 4:29:59 GMT -8
I think I'd be a bit wary of putting fabric in their tank. If they don't chew much it might be okay for a short time, maybe if you could somehow fix it to the outside of the tank it would be better. My gerbils are about 2 1/2 so slowing down too. They don't seem to be interested in making tunnels now so I placed some ready made tunnels on the floor of the tank which they seem to really like. They especially like T shaped grass tunnels, which I bought locally. Pets at Home may sell some though they seem to be only selling essentials on their website atm.
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Post by londongerbils on Apr 19, 2020 2:15:18 GMT -8
Yes, I know what you mean about the fabric.
That’s a great idea about the tunnels, I’ll see if I can order some elsewhere.
May I ask, what bedding do you use for your gerbils? Mine also seems less interested in making burrows, she seems to leave it to her young friend now.
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Post by betty on Apr 21, 2020 4:59:45 GMT -8
My older gerbils certainly show less interest in digging and making tunnels - I think, like humans, they choose to let the rest of the 'family' look after them if they are there.
However, as I tend to make my single senior enclosures much more shallow (for ease of movement) I don't usually see them burrowing anyway - so can't really offer a full answer here.
Generally though I use either kiln-dried pine soft (and curly) shavings (as opposed to the horrid straight harder shavings) and/or shredded card - with handfuls of soft hay or straw or paper-based nesting materials for my gerbils whether they are seniors or not.
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Post by londongerbils on Apr 21, 2020 10:25:04 GMT -8
Thanks for this Betty. My old gerbil kept getting sore eyes, so I changed her bedding to a soft paper based option mixed with kaytee and it seems to have cleared up. I think she was getting allergic to the hay.
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Post by betty on Apr 22, 2020 13:17:04 GMT -8
Yes, ther are a lot of stories around of gerbils being allergic/intolerant/incompatable with certain substrates or hays - so always worth a shot if you spot sore eyes - however, it can take several weeks after the change to notice any huge improvements so worth sticking with it.
Also, worth remembering that the whole area needs a good clean out and wipe down too when you change the substrate. If it IS an allergy of sorts - then any of it left on the enclosure or on nearby shelves etc can stay in the air as an irritant.
Always best to be totally thorough if you are trying to eliminate anything.
Lets hope it all works out for your little one.
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Post by londongerbils on Apr 22, 2020 14:15:32 GMT -8
Thank you. Yes, I have a pet safe spray I use so hopefully the issue will go away!
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Post by jal on Apr 24, 2020 4:27:39 GMT -8
Yes, I know what you mean about the fabric. That’s a great idea about the tunnels, I’ll see if I can order some elsewhere. May I ask, what bedding do you use for your gerbils? Mine also seems less interested in making burrows, she seems to leave it to her young friend now. I've just bought one of these tunnels from Rodipet. They're very sturdy as they chew up the grass tunnels quite quickly. I've just cleaned them out and put it into the bottom of the tank and covered it with bedding. I think they like it: - www.rodipet.co.uk/accessories/rodipet-enterrado-t-piece-60-mm.htmlI've tried a few different beddings but always use Fitch paper bedding as the main substrate. I'm now mixing it with Small Pet Select Aspen wood shavings (expensive, but I don't use that much). They seem okay with it and they like to chew up the larger pieces. I think some gerbils may be allergic to Aspen though. I suppose it's trial and error. I've also recently tried the Kaytee clean and cozy bedding which is softer than Fitch. I put a couple of handfuls of that on top of the other bedding and they usually end up dragging it into their nest.
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Post by betty on May 21, 2020 7:23:52 GMT -8
How is it going jal - has the new set up made a noticable difference this past month or so? Thinking of trying the Kaytee Clean and Cozy myself after someone recently recommended it - any feedback from you on that?
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Post by jal on May 30, 2020 7:11:59 GMT -8
Hi. When I cleaned them out I noticed they'd barely chewed the Rodipet tube. It's hard to see exactly what's going on when it's covered in bedding but I think they made a little tunnel from one of the entrances to their nest area. They kept popping up in different holes on the surface. I think they are using and do like the tunnel. I like the Kaytee Clean and Cozy, though it seems more like nesting material than substrate as it's very soft shredded tissue. The bag I have isn't dusty at all. I have also tried Carefresh Ultra which is quite a hard bedding and fitch paper bedding is in between the two, and much cheaper if bought in bulk, but isn't available in US I think. They seem fine with the Aspen shavings (no sneezing) and the ones I have don't seem too hard and scratchy. I don't think I'd just use them on their own, even if it was cheaper, but it mixes really well with paper bedding.
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Post by betty on Jun 1, 2020 5:48:44 GMT -8
That's all good news then - nobody wants any sneezing!!!
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