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Post by nycgerbillover on Jul 8, 2020 2:42:39 GMT -8
Hi there. I used Carefresh for a long time but then one gerbil got a runny nose. I switched to Aspen but her nose is still runny (she is being treated by the vet) and two other gerbils have slightly runny noses. What is the very best bedding for sensitive gerbils please? Thank you in advance.
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Post by betty on Jul 8, 2020 2:55:11 GMT -8
Are you in the UK or US nycgerbillover - as this could make a difference?
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Post by nycgerbillover on Jul 8, 2020 4:09:49 GMT -8
I am in the U.S. Thank you.
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Post by jal on Jul 8, 2020 10:00:49 GMT -8
I've never tried hemp bedding but it's supposed to be very good, not dusty, and maybe less likely to cause allergies than Aspen. Often paper beddings can be a bit dusty and it seems to vary from bag to bag. I've tried Kaytee clean and cozy which didn't seem dusty at all but some people have found it dusty. There is also Small Pet Select paper bedding which has got good reviews. Otherwise, there are various cardboard beddings which are often less dusty than paper bedding, or teabag bedding, which I'm not sure if you can get in the US. It's quite a popular bedding for rats, who are prone to getting respiratory infections.
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Post by nycgerbillover on Jul 8, 2020 11:41:19 GMT -8
Hey there. Thank you so much for those recommendations! I will investigate them.
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Post by jal on Jul 10, 2020 5:33:40 GMT -8
Hope one of the beddings works out for your gerbils. Also, probably avoid giving them hay as gerbils can be allergic to hay. Oat hay seems to be the least allergenic. One of my gerbils is allergic to Timothy and Meadow hay but is fine with oat hay, they also enjoy eating the seed heads.
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Post by nycgerbillover on Jul 10, 2020 9:59:32 GMT -8
Really?!? I do give them Timothy hay AND oat hay. Maybe I will cut out the Timothy hay. Thank you again! I really appreciate you.
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Post by jal on Jul 12, 2020 2:18:05 GMT -8
You're welcome. I've researched a lot of beddings! It is more difficult when you can't use Timothy hay to find something that will hold tunnels. I use Fitch paper bedding and a small amount of Aspen shavings which works pretty well when chewed cardboard gets added to the mix. Some gerbils do react to grass and hay, I suppose it's like hay fever in people.
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Post by nycgerbillover on Jul 12, 2020 5:32:02 GMT -8
So my plan is hemp bedding and oat hay. I already have oat hay but the hemp bedding is coming in the mail and will unfortunately take a few weeks. I am PRAYING that combo. works for my gerbils. One is on an anti-inflammatory medication right now and two others have had slightly dirty noses. I want clean noses all the time. The Aspen really hasn’t worked out but all I have is Aspen and Carefresh, neither of which works for my babies. It’s very strange because the Carefresh caused no problems over the course of months but then suddenly my Polar Fox, Axl, started to have a runny nose and it has been runny ever since. She has already been on an antibiotic that didn’t change anything. However, I am grateful that all my four gerbils behave normally, exercise, eat, drink and play.
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Post by monkeygerbils on Jul 13, 2020 7:22:28 GMT -8
I use carefresh mostly (I'm in the UK) as one of my gerbils developed an allergy to the old bedding. Kaytee clean and cosy is what I think I will try when I clean the tanks next month. My gerbil was constantly sneezing and had a runny nose I was thinking it was a disease at first but I googled it and switched the bedding and that seemed to work. Hemp is excellent and I have used it once before but it is quite hard to find in my area.
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Post by nycgerbillover on Jul 13, 2020 8:25:58 GMT -8
Good luck with your bedding! Thankfully I can get hemp on Amazon though it is very expensive. Of course my gerbils are worth it though. I just pray it clears up these runny noses! I can’t take it anymore. I want my gerbils to be perfectly well.
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Post by betty on Jul 13, 2020 13:49:14 GMT -8
Have you tried (unchopped) barley straw instead of hay for the tunnels as it isn't something ever reported to be allergenic?
Gerbs don't eat straw as much and it isn't good as a substrate on its own as it doesn't absorb moisture well - but my gerbils have great fun ripping it to pieces and have made some great underground dens with it.
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Post by nycgerbillover on Jul 14, 2020 8:53:08 GMT -8
No but I will check it out! Thank you!
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Post by jal on Jul 19, 2020 7:00:56 GMT -8
Have you tried (unchopped) barley straw instead of hay for the tunnels as it isn't something ever reported to be allergenic? Gerbs don't eat straw as much and it isn't good as a substrate on its own as it doesn't absorb moisture well - but my gerbils have great fun ripping it to pieces and have made some great underground dens with it. Ooh, that sounds like something my gerbils would like as they absolutely love hay but, sadly, it makes one of them sneeze. I thought straw might be too spikey but barley straw sounds softer so is definitely something to try.
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Post by betty on Jul 19, 2020 14:03:26 GMT -8
Yes, long strand straw is a great favourite with mine.
More likely to bend under contact than a strand of hay for sure.
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