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Post by PipSqueak on Oct 15, 2021 14:23:23 GMT -8
I think I know what your talking about. Is it like a rim? Something that sticks out on the inside. It’s not part of the lid but on the top of the tank? Let me know if this is what your talking about. I have had the problem of my gerbils chewing it in the past.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Oct 18, 2021 8:37:01 GMT -8
YES!!! Thats exactly what it is! Just didn't know how to explain!
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Post by PipSqueak on Oct 18, 2021 15:47:17 GMT -8
With my new 55 gallon tank they have chewed on it more despite more enrichment. I have found that it helps to free roam them if that’s something your comfortable with.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Oct 19, 2021 5:44:41 GMT -8
Yes! I have been wanting to try free roaming (but not TOO free my mom wouldn’t allow it XD) but I can’t find a good spot… I’ve tried a hallway but I’m always scared they will eat the paint off the wall! Another thing is that the hallway is VERY far away from my room. I don’t have another place in my house with wood floors ( that my mom would allow)
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Post by Markpd on Oct 19, 2021 9:34:13 GMT -8
How about getting a pen? Although I wouldn't have thought they'd chew the paint anyway?
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Post by PipSqueak on Oct 19, 2021 9:47:42 GMT -8
I tidy up my room and block the door with an old towel and just let them free roam. They have never chewed the trim or paint but just make sure to keep your cords up. My room is carpeted and I haven’t had any issues with that either.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Oct 20, 2021 6:12:02 GMT -8
I would do my room but it’s pretty big- idk how I would round them back up when playtime is over. Also my carpet is pretty thick, but I can always vacuum after! My main concern would be wee on the carpet… They don’t have a sand bath all the time so they haven’t really learned how to use one… Another thing is that knowing my gerbils- they’d be chewing on the carpet!! XD
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Oct 20, 2021 6:14:38 GMT -8
Last time I free roamed them in the hallway they were nibbling at the baseboard a bit (probably just figure out if it was edible) do you free range Markpd?
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Post by PipSqueak on Oct 20, 2021 13:36:52 GMT -8
To pick them back up I usually just scoop them up.
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Post by Markpd on Oct 20, 2021 14:07:13 GMT -8
Last time I free roamed them in the hallway they were nibbling at the baseboard a bit (probably just figure out if it was edible) do you free range Markpd? Not around the rooms, no. The lounge has got too many cables, boxes and furniture to hide/chew, same with the bedroom (although no boxes). It would only be feasible here in the kitchen or bathroom, which have vinyl floors, and so they wouldn't grip well on it. Also when I did free roam them on the sofa, Avon would get panicky nearly straight away, although Blake would explore for 5mins or so before getting panicky. Anyway, I do allow them to free roam the top of their cage, along with the Rotastak cage along side, and a sandpen (via a tube) when I take the lids off (1 at a time) to feed them and spot clean their cages.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Oct 21, 2021 5:40:41 GMT -8
The top of their cage as in the mesh? I’ve wanted to do that but wasn’t sure about their nails getting caught in the holes.
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Post by Markpd on Oct 22, 2021 11:30:13 GMT -8
Mine uses 1/2" mesh, so the nails can't get caught in that, although at the ctr edge where it's folded over they do very occasionally catch their claws in it, so occasional that I'd forgotten about it until you said. To date, when that happens they just stop and free it off and no harm done, obviously not ideal though. In the short term I think I'll cover it with card. I'm going to be changing their cage soon (and so lids), so hopefully it won't be an issue with those. Btw, because access to the lid is occasional (1-2 times a day) and brief (5-10 minute sessions), bumblefoot isn't an issue (in case you're worried about that too).
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Post by yeti218 on Oct 23, 2021 16:55:15 GMT -8
You could try building a pen, you can make them by taping some sturdy cardboard together. Use a dropcloth or a cheap blanket from a second hand store to protect the carpet. Even if they do pee on it, the amount they urinate is so small it wont soak through to the carpet. Put some empty cardboard boxes in the pen so they have some stuff to explore and hide in.
Best way to catch them after playtime is by putting lots of jars out (can put food in the jars too, if needed) and once they go inside, cover the opening with your hands and put them back in their tank.
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Mochi
Member
Snickerdoodle and S’more: Adopted on April 9th, 2021
Posts: 199
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Post by Mochi on Oct 29, 2021 5:39:34 GMT -8
Thank you for all the ideas!!!! I tried to get them out for playtime the other day and Doodle was just NOT having it!! XD S’more went fine! But after half and hour I just gave up and put S’more back in… I tried the jar, with her (snickerdoodle) I tried a cardboard box, Sand bath, and I even tried to get her to crawl into the food container!!! XD She is WAY too smart for me!
S’more actually wasn’t TOO hard to put back in. A little tricky, probably because her sister wasn’t with her. That’s why I wanted to put her back in. Thankfully the new scent on S’more didn’t seem to matter to Doodle, they were sleeping together a couple min later!
Unrelated news but a gerbil yawning is SO DANG CUTE!!!!
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Post by Markpd on Oct 29, 2021 11:32:02 GMT -8
Certainly is! If you've got a long tube, gerbils like to go into them too.
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