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Post by manicobsessive on Mar 2, 2023 12:06:30 GMT -8
Hi there. I really need some advice. I just got two gerbils, and I can't stand seeing them in the 'large' cage I had to buy them. We're in the UK, and there isn't alot of choice available. It also has a top level made of bars which I now know can cause bumble foot or trap their little limbs. I thought, it's ok, I'll get a tank, but I didn't think through that I am 5 foot two and not very strong. There is no way I could move a heavy glass tank when I needed to. How do you all manage?
I used to suffer from anxiety, and something about being responsible for these little lives has majorly triggered a bad bout of it. If I feel like I can't give them a better life I am going to have to give them up. Please help. 😔
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 2, 2023 12:28:35 GMT -8
Hello, Am I right in guessing that the cage you have now is the Pets at Home XL gerbilarium, with the orange platform with an arch in the middle? If so, it's true that this cage isn't the biggest and isn't very suitable for long term use but can be a nice cage for young gerbils so yours should be ok in it until you can get something bigger. There's no urgency. Gerbils aren't susceptible to bumblefoot from barred platforms (some sources mix them up with hamsters, but gerbils have tougher feet than hamsters). I have heard occasionally of gerbils breaking legs on barred platforms but if that's a concern, you can cover them with cardboard or sheets of wood or tiles. I too am short and weak, so I have the same problem of not being able to lift anything bigger than a 60cm tank. Because of this I prefer non-glass enclosures which can be assembled in place. I have two Living World Eco Habitats - these are available new on Amazon and sometimes found second hand. They have a wooden base and corner posts and acrylic sides. I also have a medium and a large Marrakesh terrarium which come flatpacked and consist of wood veneer and individual glass panels. They aren't available to buy new anymore but are often found second hand. Another option which others have used is an Ikea detolf cabinet laid on its side. It is quite long so I'm not sure how heavy each individual panel is but it should be much easier to move than a large tank. Do you have anyone who could help you lift a tank? Maybe you could even ask on local social media groups or Fiverr or similar if somebody could help you for a fee. Once a tank is in place it rarely needs to be moved. I clean them out by scooping out most of the bedding, then vacuuming out the dust and wiping the tank down with water or disinfectant if needed. I know how anxiety-provoking pet ownership can be but I'm sure you won't have to give your gerbils up as there's bound to be a solution somewhere  |
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Post by catnut on Mar 2, 2023 14:05:28 GMT -8
I suffer from anxiety so worry more than i should about my pets but they are still worth it. You can clean it without moving it, i have arthritis so scoop, scrub it, rinse it well and put some of the old and then new bedding in it.
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Post by icecontroller2529 on Mar 2, 2023 23:23:37 GMT -8
LilyandDaisy gave alternatives for enclosures. Another option would be one of the LaOla enclosures. As far as I know, it it very light (and will probably be delivered home when ordering online). The enclosures are large, 120 x 50 x 60 cm. I found a video that shows how easy assembling them is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-27xn2yEvI |
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Post by manicobsessive on Mar 3, 2023 9:10:20 GMT -8
Hello, Am I right in guessing that the cage you have now is the Pets at Home XL gerbilarium, with the orange platform with an arch in the middle? Thanks so much for all of your responses. It's really kind of you.
Yes LilyandDaisy, you're exactly right. I also hear that they may even be able to chew through the plastic bottom. It just seems so unsuitable.
Thank you all for all your suggestions.
One of my concerns is taking them over to someone to look after when we are on holiday. Do you think an option would be (once I find a solution for the wire level like a hemp mat or replacement), the gerbilarium could be used as a temporary home, or would it stress them out to much to be switched from one home to another?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 3, 2023 9:29:04 GMT -8
Hello, Am I right in guessing that the cage you have now is the Pets at Home XL gerbilarium, with the orange platform with an arch in the middle? Thanks so much for all of your responses. It's really kind of you.
Yes LilyandDaisy, you're exactly right. I also hear that they may even be able to chew through the plastic bottom. It just seems so unsuitable.
Thank you all for all your suggestions.
One of my concerns is taking them over to someone to look after when we are on holiday. Do you think an option would be (once I find a solution for the wire level like a hemp mat or replacement), the gerbilarium could be used as a temporary home, or would it stress them out to much to be switched from one home to another?
I've never heard of a gerbil chewing out of those gerbilariums and lots of people have them. It's a very rigid plastic and not easy for them to get a grip on. Yes, the gerbilarium will make an ideal temporary or holiday home. Gerbils are very adaptable and they won't mind moving homes occasionally. Always move over some of their old bedding and toys to help preserve their scent. |
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Post by iamplankton on Mar 7, 2023 0:09:38 GMT -8
The perfect solution for you is to get a 138l kaze storage tub from B&Q. The lid is sold separately and does crack easily when cutting but if you have a soldering iron that seems to be the best way of cutting a hole in it, then you attach the top of the Savic cage from pets at home to it using cable ties. I personally don’t bother with the lids and make a frame using some wood and close mesh and then cable tying the top part of the cage to it.
Over time then you can remove the metal platform and ladder and add either wooden, metal or acrylic shelves (I use acrylic sheets from Amazon and add cup screws to then attach to the cage).
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Post by Markpd on Mar 8, 2023 12:44:16 GMT -8
With acrylic shelves you would need to protect the edges (with perhaps metal channels), to stop them chewing it.
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Post by iamplankton on Mar 11, 2023 4:30:54 GMT -8
With acrylic shelves you would need to protect the edges (with perhaps metal channels), to stop them chewing it. I haven’t found that to be the case at all, they’re just not interested in chewing them but not to say others won’t |
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 11, 2023 5:50:00 GMT -8
I don't think acrylic feels very good to gerbil teeth. It's very hard and slippery. They could technically chew it but mostly seem to choose not to.
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Post by Markpd on Mar 11, 2023 6:17:21 GMT -8
Yea, I guess I should've said 'to stop them possibly chewing it'  . It's a bit like plastic wheels, many gerbils owners say their gerbils don't, or very rarely, chew their plastic wheels, and then every now and then, another owner will say 1 of their gerbils did! lol |
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Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on Apr 26, 2023 19:50:24 GMT -8
I totally understand the weight that comes with having animals. Sometimes I was convinced I would have to give mine away, and would even start looking for owners.
In this situation, I start asking myself if I think that I've actually done anything wrong by them, and if they're happy with me as their caretaker.
If the answers to my questions are good, the next step is to simply calm myself and deal with my panic attack.
Owning pets has a thousand rewards that come with it, and it's worth giving it a chance. It can be really scary owning gerbils, or any pet that's completely dependant on you, I get that, and I hope that it works out.
I have a medical condition, so am particularly small and weak, and have had problems lifting tanks. However, like LilyandDaisy said, once a tank is in its final home, as long as you can reach it, there's never any need to move it.
I wouldn't worry too much about having to get rid of your boys yet. I don't think the cage poses any threat for the short term. So no need to panic or rush on getting a new one.
Hope this helped a bit.
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