Questions on Aging Gerbils

[Pim]

Hi Everyone! I haven't posted on the forum for a while but wanted some input on caring for Clover as he gets older.

Clover is going to turn four in three ish months which is exiting, but I'm a little worried that he is bored with his current set up, as well as with increasing health problems. Currently he doesn't use his wheel or really chew anything in his cage other than the hanging toys I get him from PetSmart. He sleeps most of the day but comes out for food, water, and minimal play time. He also has a SG tumor and I think he might be losing his hearing. He is in my 29 gallon and on paper bedding due to his tumor. Does anyone have ideas of what I can do to 1. keep him healthy and chewing and 2. keep him enriched without needing to take him out as he prefers to spend time inside his cage now. Also if anyone knows anything about caring for deaf gerbils that would be helpful as well.

[Thea]

Exciting that Clover is turning four soon!

It's hard to know what to do when they begin to slow down. If he really doesn't use his wheel there might not be a need for it to be in the cage to be honest - he's getting older and it's just taking up space if it has no benefit to him.

I struggled with getting a past gerbil Storme to chew. My current girls love cork logs and have nearly destroyed the biggest one - but I'm not sure if your guy would like them or not. They seem to enjoy hay (I use Timothy Hay) which I would suggest if you don't already use - Pippa loves to chew on hay and some kinds are supposed to help keep their teeth a good length I think, without really having to use the strength it takes to chew cardboard or wood. It's also a great form of enrichment.

Definitely continue to get what he *does* chew.

Again, enrichment it difficult. I would always say taking them out and spending time with them is enriching, but if he doesn't like being taken out too much that's okay. When I've had older gerbil's I've used fresh fruit and veg for enrichment, particularly softer things like strawberries or blueberries (but obviously not too much as they are very watery). Maybe now you could focus less on active things (such as possibly taking out the wheel or reducing the amount of bedding slightly IF he doesn't use it - if he does dig a lot, keep it all there!) and more on things for him to explore - hidey toys, tunnels etc.

[catnut]

Sorry to hear Clover has some health issues but that is a good age- maybe he needs something new to excite him to chew? does he like wood chews or does he prefer cardboard? Try one new thing in his home so not to overwhelm him and make sure it is safe for gerbils. My boys like small boxes (poptart) and i make sure they don't chew on the glued ends so take that off once they've chewed some of it-i rip off a side as they tend to pee/poop in it. My Kirby is 3 but he is quite active when awake and loves his wheel, he does sleep more.

[catnut]

i also forgot about paper bags,small ones- mine like to chew, sit and even nap in one.

[Markpd]

Hey Pim, good to see ya!

Sorry to hear Clover is having health issues, but that's a good age he's managed already . Catnut and Thea have got you covered, so I don't think I can add anything.
I hope you manage to keep him interested.