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Post by miche987 on Jul 31, 2021 10:49:12 GMT -8
My gerbil friends put a hole through the track of their wheel! Sigh. There’s $30 down the drain. Should I try metal or plastic next? Thanks!
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Post by yeti218 on Jul 31, 2021 11:13:22 GMT -8
Haha oh no.
I actually have the same wheel, mine have chewed the edges a bit but nothing that destructive.
I'd probably avoid plastic. Even though some gerbils dont chew certain hard plastic wheels, I've got a feeling yours will be the exception.
Solid metal wheels can be expensive though. The cheaper metal ones are made using mesh or metal bars, which is hazardous if a toe or tail gets caught.
Although you could probably get one of those and just line it with cardboard, and replace the cardboard as they chew it?
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Post by betty on Jul 31, 2021 15:24:24 GMT -8
How rude!!
The much thicker plastic ones (like a soup bowl on their side) seem to do quite well against the dreaded gerbil chew - but nothing is guaranteed of course?
And I agree about lining it with something - but then you could buy ANY wheel and line it in that case. Some people have also told me that a wheel higher up - one they have to jump into - and that is clear of other enrichment or substrate is less likely to get chewed as it never stays still? But again - yours was clearly very determined - but I wonder if it was only because of the bendy bridge beside it 'blocking' their line of veiw for an escape route out of the wheel? Gerbils can be quite funny about making new exits from places.
As above, I would strongly suggest though that you didn't get a metal barred wheel - and only get a mesh one if there are absolutely NO static parts on the wheel - especially if there are two gerbils together in there. These 'static bar' ones have been reported to be causing injuries when the second gerbil jumps in mid-spin with the first one, or when the first one jumps out mid-spin.
Sorry, but they are little tykes aren't they?
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Post by ps25 on Aug 3, 2021 10:05:26 GMT -8
I'm sorry but this just made me laugh.
Gerbil thoughts - "Hmm that was a fun afternoon of chewing. Now I'll go for a run. Doh!"
I've had success with the hard plastic silent spinners. None have mine have managed to chew through the actual wheels yet, although one did get his teeth into the plastic that clips it onto the wire frame. But that was easily replaced.
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Post by miche987 on Aug 7, 2021 20:05:43 GMT -8
How rude!! The much thicker plastic ones (like a soup bowl on their side) seem to do quite well against the dreaded gerbil chew - but nothing is guaranteed of course? And I agree about lining it with something - but then you could buy ANY wheel and line it in that case. Some people have also told me that a wheel higher up - one they have to jump into - and that is clear of other enrichment or substrate is less likely to get chewed as it never stays still? But again - yours was clearly very determined - but I wonder if it was only because of the bendy bridge beside it 'blocking' their line of veiw for an escape route out of the wheel? Gerbils can be quite funny about making new exits from places. As above, I would strongly suggest though that you didn't get a metal barred wheel - and only get a mesh one if there are absolutely NO static parts on the wheel - especially if there are two gerbils together in there. These 'static bar' ones have been reported to be causing injuries when the second gerbil jumps in mid-spin with the first one, or when the first one jumps out mid-spin. Sorry, but they are little tykes aren't they? Hi Betty, My husband said the same thing about the bendy bridge since I had just put it there earlier that day. You might be on to something! |
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Post by miche987 on Aug 7, 2021 20:06:42 GMT -8
Thanks everyone! They ended up destroying the entire track! All the was left was the back of the wheel. Hahhaha. It was actually quite entertaining to watch them work hard on the demolition. I ended up getting a thick plastic one and haven’t seen them chewing it since. Fingers crossed! Here is a link to a photo of their handiwork. 🤣 Wheel Demolition Crew |
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Post by miche987 on Aug 7, 2021 20:56:28 GMT -8
I'm sorry but this just made me laugh. Gerbil thoughts - "Hmm that was a fun afternoon of chewing. Now I'll go for a run. Doh!" I've had success with the hard plastic silent spinners. None have mine have managed to chew through the actual wheels yet, although one did get his teeth into the plastic that clips it onto the wire frame. But that was easily replaced. They did try to run in it and it really WAS hilarious. 🤣 |
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Post by yeti218 on Aug 7, 2021 23:18:33 GMT -8
Wow, I'm impressed with what they did to that wheel. Glad the new one is working out though.
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Post by Markpd on Aug 19, 2021 11:53:05 GMT -8
Thanks everyone! They ended up destroying the entire track! All the was left was the back of the wheel. Hahhaha. It was actually quite entertaining to watch them work hard on the demolition. I ended up getting a thick plastic one and haven’t seen them chewing it since. Fingers crossed! Here is a link to a photo of their handiwork. 🤣 Wheel Demolition Crew funny their efforts, not so funny for your purse!
And this is the exact reason I bought a solid (aluminium) wheel by Tictac (UK based, but they maybe shipping abroad, although that's going to be pricey!), sure their wheels aren't cheap, but I'll only have to buy it once!* IIRC the cost of the wheel and a stand was about the same as 2 wooden wheels of similar size. *Assuming I bought the right size! (some debate over that).
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funny their efforts, not so funny for your purse!
), late 70s