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Post by saraw on Dec 19, 2022 6:25:25 GMT -8
Ok brilliant, thank you ! I think I’ll go with the cautious approach!!
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Post by saraw on Dec 19, 2022 22:11:54 GMT -8
Phew, they’ve been fine overnight ! When I got up this morning they were fast asleep together! Such a relief!
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 2:21:24 GMT -8
Squeaking ! So every time cookie grooms peanut, peanut will do a chirpy squeak, but I’ve also noticed she does it quite a lot just when cookie is near her (not grooming or even touching) does this sound normal ?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 20, 2022 3:31:49 GMT -8
The squeaking sounds normal. Peanut sounds like a feisty gerbil! But I think you've got a successfully bonded pair now.
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 4:06:39 GMT -8
Ah that’s good, thank you ! I’m a bit nervous about tomorrow- it’ll be cookies ‘heat’ day 🙈 not looking forward to that !
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 11:16:31 GMT -8
Things are a bit hairy tonight 😬 peanut is in heat 🙈 she’s being super annoying and trying to mount cookie a lot. Cookie is definitely finding her a bit annoying, I’ve been checking on them loads and gently moved peanut away from cookie a couple of times to try and diffuse the situation (don’t know if that was the right thing to do) I just don’t want cookie getting too annoyed, she’s tried to go to sleep a couple of times but peanuts woke her up ! I’m worried about going to bed and leaving them - am I overthinking this ? Will they will be able to sort it out amongst themselves!? It’s just such a shame as they have had a lovely day today, been the most relaxed with each other since the introduction and have slept loads all snuggled up, don’t want this setting them back - I know it’s nature and there’s nothing I can do about it !!!
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 11:33:41 GMT -8
I’ve just been in to check on them …… as soon as cookie saw me she started launching herself at the tank lid as if to say ‘get me out of here’!!! Oh god I feel so bad for her - what do I do ?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 20, 2022 11:41:53 GMT -8
You could hold Cookie for a short while to give her a break, and some of the human interaction she probably craves at this point.
I'd also give them lots of cardboard and nesting material to keep them distracted.
Peanut sounds like hard work but I expect she'll be a much better friend for Cookie once she's grown up a bit!
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 11:52:23 GMT -8
Oh brilliant, I’ll get her out for a little cuddle then ! Oh god you can say that again !!! Donut was so chilled out I don’t think cookie know what’s hit her !!!
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 12:07:48 GMT -8
That was lovely, just had a 5 minute cuddle and it did us both the world of good ! I’ve loaded them up with cardboard and nesting material so hopefully they will be ok. How long do gerbils stay in heat for ?? As in will peanut be like this for the rest of the night till morning ?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 20, 2022 12:20:29 GMT -8
Probably not the whole night. I've never timed it but I think the most intense phase (the bit with all the mounting) tends not last more than 2-3 hours.
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 12:25:20 GMT -8
Oh thank god for that ! I was planning on sitting up all night with them to be referee 🤣 Well she’s been at it a good couple of hours now so hopefully she will calm down before I go to bed ! Then I’ll have it all again tomorrow when it’s cookies turn 🙈 Is it possible to have gerbils neutered 🤣
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 20, 2022 12:46:31 GMT -8
It's one of the joys of female gerbils...
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 12:51:50 GMT -8
Yes, didn’t think of this when I got females it didn’t even cross my mind ! I think it’s just because it’s all new, cookie has always been a bit full on when in heat but donut just put up with it bless her and when donut was in heat she just did the zombie gerbil thing and followed cookie around so they worked really well together- this is a whole new experience! And quite stressful!!!! Well looks like the little trouble maker has gone to sleep - hopefully for the night ! 🙏🏻🤣
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Post by saraw on Dec 20, 2022 22:15:08 GMT -8
They’ve been fine again overnight. Just checked on them and they obviously worked it out as they are asleep together 🥰 I think I definitely overreact to situations 🤣 I had a thought this morning- when they go into their proper enclosure I’ve only got one wheel, the wheel was cookies favourite past time ! She’d run on it most nights for ages, donut wasn’t too bothered about it, she preferred digging and when she did have a little run on it she gave it up as soon as cookie wanted it ! I have a feeling peanut won’t be so obliging ! I don’t want this to cause arguments- do you think I should get another wheel so they have one each ? Or will they be ok ? I have a feeling that little peanut will still probably want the one that cookies using anyway as she’s a little trouble maker !!
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