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Post by wonderz on Dec 12, 2021 21:00:22 GMT -8
Hi! One of my gerbils is an extreme chewer (Tucker) while the other isn’t as much (Dale). I’m currently giving my them cardboard, pumice stones, and apple wood sticks to chew on but it doesn’t last long. When I give them cardboard, Tucker will destroy it all within 30 minutes or so and then start chewing other things like the corners of the cage, which is super loud. This sounds weird, but I think it’s starting to keep my dog up? She dreads coming into my room at night because of how loud they are. What else can I give them to chew on? What will keep them busy? Any suggestions would be great  |
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Post by wonderz on Dec 14, 2021 10:33:28 GMT -8
Update:
I've noticed that he's chewing the rim of the cage where the lid sits on. If he were to chew the whole thing, the lid will collapse into the cage along with the tank topper. It's pretty heavy because I place a big book on top to keep one of the corners to stay down. I put a bunch of cardboard in last night before I went to bed, which hopefully kept him distracted.
I'm not sure what else to do because it's not so much a noise issue anymore, its his safety.
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Post by barryozzy on Dec 14, 2021 12:19:17 GMT -8
I can't think of anything other than maybe bigger sticks or pieces of wood? Does he have a wheel or any other non-chewing thing to occupy him?
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Post by wonderz on Dec 15, 2021 6:36:32 GMT -8
Yeah he has a wheel, his brother uses it more though. I’m not sure where I’d buy wood or if he would use it. I was thinking willow balls?
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Post by g on Dec 15, 2021 7:29:32 GMT -8
Why are you unsure about where to buy wood? Wood bird toys are good for gerbils. My gerbils like willow balls, but they destroy them in seconds.
What about deer antlers sold for dogs?
Good luck.
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Post by betty on Dec 15, 2021 8:48:34 GMT -8
Rather than give him one or two specific things to chew and hope he chews just that - maybe try to ovewhelm him? Gerbils hate a disorganised mess. Perhaps try shredding (pre-brought) chemical-free paper and fill up the entire tank with it - you can do the same with kitchen towel, hay or straw - it keeps them busy for hours trying to shrink it back down to normality.
You can increase the depth of the substrate if possible to keep him busy underground instead too.
I used to layer up cardboard boxes (like cereal boxes or thick postal tubes) about 6-10 inches deep at the bottom - then a few inches of substrate and some hay/straw/shredded paper/shredded kitchen towel - then they would spend ages underground instead of trying to escape out the top.
If you haven't tried either of those - perhaps give that a go and see what they think.
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Post by wonderz on Dec 15, 2021 9:33:35 GMT -8
Yes sorry g that was a quick response. I thought they meant like pieces of wood from Home Depot. I don’t plan on doing that since i wouldn’t have anything to cut it with or store it haha. Thank you Betty for the suggestion! I did experiment with that a bit, I collected tubes of wrapping paper, cut it up, and filled the entire top with it. They we’re definitely overwhelmed but like you said they got it down when I woke up the next morning. That seems to be working the best right now. I’ll try using different materials like toilet paper, regular paper, cardboard, etc. Are cereal boxes ok? Is the wax and dyes safe? I read a few older posts and some people do and some don’t, so I’m not sure… As for substrate I do put in hay, I’m thinking I should put more in often so they can take it down to burrow |
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Post by wonderz on Dec 17, 2021 9:55:28 GMT -8
Update: Filling the cage works but he still chews the cage. Last night, I decided to try and block him from the part he's chewing on by covering almost all the sides with cardboard. This worked but it Tucker was able to take it down by chewing, which is good! This is keeping the area blocked and keeping him busy! I'm hoping this works for awhile.
I think Dale may be having another issue that is different from this problem. Last night I noticed is nose was a bit red. It caught my eye because I haven't really seen it like that before, but I wasn't sure if it was a problem since I wasn't paying much attention to it. I watched a video this morning about different bedding types and how they can have allergies to different bedding. The bedding I'm using currently is the Kaytee clean and cozy and I'd definitely like to change. The video said that hemp bedding and snake bedding would be good options.
I saw someone else posted about this but they used UK hemp brands, so I'm wondering what are good brands in the US?
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Post by g on Dec 17, 2021 15:10:56 GMT -8
Update: Filling the cage works but he still chews the cage. Last night, I decided to try and block him from the part he's chewing on by covering almost all the sides with cardboard. This worked but it Tucker was able to take it down by chewing, which is good! This is keeping the area blocked and keeping him busy! I'm hoping this works for awhile. I think Dale may be having another issue that is different from this problem. Last night I noticed is nose was a bit red. It caught my eye because I haven't really seen it like that before, but I wasn't sure if it was a problem since I wasn't paying much attention to it. I watched a video this morning about different bedding types and how they can have allergies to different bedding. The bedding I'm using currently is the Kaytee clean and cozy and I'd definitely like to change. The video said that hemp bedding and snake bedding would be good options. I saw someone else posted about this but they used UK hemp brands, so I'm wondering what are good brands in the US? If he chews so much his nose could also be rubbing up against the cage and getting raw. |
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Post by wonderz on Dec 18, 2021 21:55:23 GMT -8
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Post by Markpd on Dec 19, 2021 6:03:47 GMT -8
You could possible get Aubiose (hemp) as that company's headquarters/base is in Canada, but it's not the best hemp bedding as it's rather dry, which is in part why it doesn't hold burrows very well. That said, it's very cheap and you could bung in a load of hay with it to help hold burrows.
Also, was their not any recent hemp bedding suggestions in the stickied 'Substrate' thread here?
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Post by wonderz on Dec 19, 2021 8:58:46 GMT -8
I did read through that thread a bit and most of the recent posts were about UK hemp brands. I don’t want to order overseas because of how expensive shipping can get. I looked at Auboise on Amazon and for 44lbs it’s $103. I also wouldn’t buy it because you said it wasn’t the best, so did some other threads.
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Post by Markpd on Dec 19, 2021 12:47:35 GMT -8
Woah, that's expensive!  Is that shipping nearish to you? Or from abroad!? I can buy 20kg (44lbs) for £11 locally! There might be more local suppliers to you? (assuming you have a car). But anyway, yea Aubiose isn't the best, but it's ok.
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Post by wonderz on Dec 19, 2021 13:02:52 GMT -8
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Post by Markpd on Dec 19, 2021 13:27:59 GMT -8
Yea avoid odour control beddings (assuming they're referring to an added scent to the bedding). The price I quoted doesn't include delivery, as I could pick it up myself. I buy Ecoshiv these days, current price is £12.60 for the bale +£8 delivery (looking at the map, it's about 3 1/2 hrs away). I just realised my boys cage is due a change, so I've ordered a bale, thanks for reminding me!  I'm unfamiliar with the other substrates, pine beddings in the US is a bit of a mixed bag from what I understand (due to exactly what tree it is), here in the UK kiln dried pine shavings are generally considered ok. You could read loads more about it here!Seeing as you use yours for your chinchillas though, it ought to be fine for your gerbils?
Aspen is generally ok for Gerbils, although their are a small number of them that are allergic to it.
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), late 70s
Is that shipping nearish to you? Or from abroad!?
