arora
member
I currently am a devoted fish keeper, but I am looking to become a gerbil mom in 2 months!
Posts: 8
|
Post by arora on May 30, 2023 10:05:10 GMT -8
Hello everyone! I am new to gerbils, and am doing plenty of research so I know how to care for my future furry friends. I am wondering which manufactured toys are best for them. I've also seen mixed ideas on whether toilet paper rolls are safe for them because of the glue that holds them together? Are they safe for gerbils?
I also am trying to find a good quality exercise ball for them (planning to get two girls), but most of the cute ones I've seen with pink trim don't have many reviews.
I already have the natural paper bedding, exercise wheel, glass water bottle, food dish, and a hide. I also got the gerbil dust bath and chinchilla dust. I'm so excited to learn more about them, and am planning to adopt them in 2 months, giving me plenty of time to learn everything I need.
|
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on May 30, 2023 11:12:33 GMT -8
Hello,
It's lovely to hear you're planning to get gerbils!
Toilet paper rolls are safe for gerbils, as well as other types of household cardboard such as food boxes. I tend to avoid external packaging such parcel boxes just in case there are bacteria on them, and also frozen food boxes as they can get damp in the freezer.
It's best not to use exercise balls because gerbils find the feeling of being trapped inside them stressful. Instead, they often enjoy some time running around in a playpen or other secure area, with lots of tunnels and things to hide in.
Feel free to ask any other questions you have. It's so exciting getting new gerbils but especially when they're your first. It would be lovely to hear all about your gerbils once they're here too.
|
|
arora
member
I currently am a devoted fish keeper, but I am looking to become a gerbil mom in 2 months!
Posts: 8
|
Post by arora on May 30, 2023 12:47:33 GMT -8
Thank you so much for your reply! That does make a lot of sense about the exercise ball..I'll be sure to stay away from those  I'm glad I can give them the toilet paper rolls as that will always be available lol. I am wondering also, how much chinchilla dust will two gerbils use monthly? The packaging says to fill the bath with 1-2 inches of dust, and to repeat that 1-2 times a week, then replace every 2 weeks or when it gets soiled. I don't know how long my 13 oz container of dust will last  |
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on May 31, 2023 9:45:54 GMT -8
13 oz is about 400g, so that should last a few weeks. You can sieve it every few days and change it every couple of weeks. Try to find a container with tall sides for it otherwise gerbils tend to kick all of the sand out of their sand baths!
|
|
arora
member
I currently am a devoted fish keeper, but I am looking to become a gerbil mom in 2 months!
Posts: 8
|
Post by arora on May 31, 2023 12:57:22 GMT -8
Ok, thank you so much |
|
|
|
Post by catnut on May 31, 2023 13:43:17 GMT -8
chinchilla dust is bad for gerbils, they need a sand and you can search on here but reptile sand is best- not the coloured ones, the dust can cause respiratory infection in gerbils as they are smaller than chincillas. You can return it if it's not opened and get something better for them.
|
|
arora
member
I currently am a devoted fish keeper, but I am looking to become a gerbil mom in 2 months!
Posts: 8
|
Post by arora on May 31, 2023 18:55:36 GMT -8
Oh wow, the dust I bought even said it was for chinchillas gerbils and hamsters..so much misinformation 😬
|
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Jun 4, 2023 6:21:53 GMT -8
Yea it gets tricky, I must admit I don't know the cut off point between sand and dust (although it is a certain size of micron AFAIR). However, even if I knew the micron size, I don't what the limit for gerbils would be! That said, if it's so fine that when disturbed it 'puffs up' like smoke (like say talcom powder would), then that's too fine. The bathing sand I used to buy from Zooplus was fine sand and generally didn't do that (although it seems some people had bad batches which did!), however it's not available atm anyway.
Can you post a link to the Chinchilla dust you were looking at? That way the more knowledgeable guys here will hopefully be able to tell you if it's ok or not.
PS Welcome to the forum PPS I moved your thread out of the reviews section  |
|
arora
member
I currently am a devoted fish keeper, but I am looking to become a gerbil mom in 2 months!
Posts: 8
|
Post by arora on Jun 4, 2023 18:58:52 GMT -8
Here's what I got and just returned. link I got some reptile sand so I hope it is not too fine! And thank you! I'm excited to learn more about them  |
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Jun 5, 2023 13:41:32 GMT -8
I got this on clicking your link  Access Denied
You don't have permission to access "http://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/health-and-grooming/grooming-supplies/full-cheeksandtrade-small-pet-dust-bath-powder-68306.html?" on this server.
Reference #18.48b11702.1686001246.39a89778 Anyone else get that? |
|
arora
member
I currently am a devoted fish keeper, but I am looking to become a gerbil mom in 2 months!
Posts: 8
|
Post by arora on Jun 5, 2023 16:16:34 GMT -8
That's strange..I tried that link before I posted that..and I just retested, it took me to the site  The product is called ''Full Cheeks Small Pet Dust Bath Powder'' |
|
I'm glad I can give them the toilet paper rolls as that will always be available lol. I am wondering also, how much chinchilla dust will two gerbils use monthly? The packaging says to fill the bath with 1-2 inches of dust, and to repeat that 1-2 times a week, then replace every 2 weeks or when it gets soiled. I don't know how long my 13 oz container of dust will last 
), late 70s
The product is called ''Full Cheeks Small Pet Dust Bath Powder''