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Post by PipSqueak on Jul 26, 2021 6:04:11 GMT -8
So currently I have a 29 gallon tank for my gerbils which is the same floor space as a 20 gallon. I have always thought that this was too small but my parents said that the 40 gallon breeder was too big for small gerbils since I had originally gotten that tank for them but returned it. Their biggest argument against it is that it is too big and that my gerbils are fine in what they have now. They don’t have any signs of stress but I think would be a lot happier in a bigger enclosure. I have all the money for a new tank but I just need to convince them. Is there anything I can tell them that might change their mind? Right now they are in my guest room but I will try to sleep in there for a few nights to see if they are too loud. Maybe if I put them in my bedroom then they wouldn’t mind it as much since it wouldn’t be taking up space in a new room.
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Post by yeti218 on Jul 26, 2021 7:24:57 GMT -8
When I was a kid, I would write my parents letters explaining why I should have a bird, and dazzle them with my knowledge of bird care facts. They eventually got me a bird, I think so the letters would stop.
A letter or email can be good because it gives you an opportunity to collect and articulate your thoughts well, but a calm conversation is also good. Pick a time when you'll have their attention and maybe have some notes. Outline the reasons you want a tank, look up and cite sources for reasons why gerbils benefit more more space. Talk about the different enrichment you plan to put in the bigger tank. Tell them how much you enjoy looking after these guys as a hobby, and how much more rewarding it will be for you as well to improve their care in this way.
If they have concerns (space, money, whatever) listen to them and then offer solutions to whatever the issues are.
If this has been an issue you've fought over in the past, I might start the conversation with something like "I know weve disagreed about this in the past. I dont want to argue, but I'd really like to discuss getting a bigger tank again", or something so they dont go back into whatever argumentative mood you ended the last conversation on.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
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Post by PipSqueak on Jul 26, 2021 11:16:19 GMT -8
Thank you, it has been something I have talked to them about multiple times and every time they say no. Hopefully this time they will say yes!
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Post by betty on Jul 26, 2021 14:00:18 GMT -8
I also find that parent concerns were escaping from a new enclosure and/or 'where will it go it is so big'.
I find that if you buy the right furniture the larger tanks/enclosures look better as they are almost presented by the furniture rather than perched on or overhanging something else. So perhaps looking at larger chests of drawers, giant dressers or even garage metal shelving (takes immense weight and will save loads of space in your room for other stuff as they are so sturdy.
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Post by teambenji543 on Jul 27, 2021 6:13:47 GMT -8
If they’re concerned about money, maybe you could offer to buy the tank yourself. Maybe you could do extra chores? About the space, you can just place a 40 gallon on shelves or an old dresser, like Betty mentioned. I would also discuss with them the importance of larger tanks for gerbils. My gerbils are in my brothers bedroom, and we just take the wheel out at night. This way they don’t wake him up in the night because our wheel tends to be loud.
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Post by PipSqueak on Jul 27, 2021 9:18:29 GMT -8
I already had told them I would buy it. When getting my gerbils they told me I had to buy everything and so far I have. I am going to be getting new furniture for my room so will pick something out that their tank can go on.
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Post by yeti218 on Jul 27, 2021 15:56:24 GMT -8
Good thinking.
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Post by Markpd on Aug 10, 2021 12:18:40 GMT -8
How did it go? Oh btw, as an added bonus, a bigger tank will need cleaning out less often due to the larger amount of bedding (not sure if that'll help in your debate). If it helps, they're are quite a few research papers discussing they're natural habitat and territorial range, look in the science section here for starters (I have a few links in my thread there).
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Post by PipSqueak on Aug 10, 2021 13:14:49 GMT -8
I haven’t had the change to ask them yet. School just went back, and they have been busy with work. I am also trying to take a lot of time to research so hopefully I can convince them.
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Post by PipSqueak on Aug 30, 2021 10:45:30 GMT -8
Just a little update, I have been doing some more research and I am creating a presentation currently. After one of my gerbils kept trying to escape (and succeeded once) it really showed me that they really need a larger enclosure. They have been in my bedroom now for over a week and don't bother me so I am going to be keeping them in here. I hope that now that they are in my bedroom my dad won't care as much how large the enclosure is.
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Post by PipSqueak on Aug 30, 2021 11:22:02 GMT -8
Markpd Your research on The Gerbil Handbook by the Swiss Animal Welfare was very useful, thank you! Even if it is only a small portion out of the whole article I can use a lot of the information.
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Post by Markpd on Aug 30, 2021 11:39:02 GMT -8
No probs, glad it was useful , if you really want to get deep into reading about their natural habitat etc, check out the various papers I linked in my thread here, especially the ones by Wang, Liu and Deng.
Oh btw, the Swiss animal welfare translation is the whole article.
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Post by PipSqueak on Aug 30, 2021 11:54:01 GMT -8
What I meant by it was a little part of the whole article is that the information about the enclosure sizes and burrows was only a small portion of the article but very useful.
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Post by Markpd on Aug 30, 2021 11:54:53 GMT -8
Ah, got ya
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Post by tanzanyte on Sept 5, 2021 8:35:00 GMT -8
The fact that you are doing this level of research is really impressive and I hope it is enough to change your parents mind. Let us know how the presentation goes.
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