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top ten
Jan 15, 2005 15:35:11 GMT -8
Post by Illusion on Jan 15, 2005 15:35:11 GMT -8
I am doing a research(ish) project on the care of Mongolian Gerbils, and although I have already looked at many gerbil websites, I was hoping to get a broader range of input. What, in your opinion are the top ten most important things to remember when caring for one or more Mongolian Gerbils? If you can't come up with ten, it's ok just tell me what you know.
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top ten
Jan 15, 2005 18:18:37 GMT -8
Post by queenofthenile on Jan 15, 2005 18:18:37 GMT -8
1) Mongolian gerbils should be kept in pairs (1 will be lonely, more than 2 can be unstable) 2) The best housing for gerbils is an aquarium (or duna), rather than a cage. This allows them to burrow and they often rub the fur off their noses from chewing the bars. 3) Do *not* pick up a gerbil by it's tail - it can break off. Always scoop a gerbil into your cupped hands. 4) A pair of gerbils needs at least a ten gallon tank worth of space. More is definately better. 5) Learn how to sex your gerbils yourself. If you trust the petstore, you may wind up with a nest of little surprises . Check out my website for more info on sexing: www.gerbilbreeding.com/sexing.htm6) Check your water bottle every day. Gerbils can kick bedding against the spout and cause it to drain out. Also, the gerbs may chew the bottle, causing a flood . 7) Gerbils love cardboard ;D. Save all your toilet rolls, and paper towel tubes. They also love to shred up facial tissue for their bedding. 8) Do not use cedar or pine shavings. They can cause upper respiratory infections and worsen allergies. Aspen, carefresh and corncob are acceptable substrates. 9) Always keep an eye on your gerbils' health - check for diarrhea, look at the teeth, observe the coat's appearance and check for lumps and bumps. 10) Don't give gerbils anything plastic, they will destroy it ;D. Metal and ceramic are best for dishes and wheels. I'm sure there are many more, but these are ones off the top of my head!
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top ten
Jan 16, 2005 7:58:16 GMT -8
Post by RyanF on Jan 16, 2005 7:58:16 GMT -8
Probably want to switch 2 and 3, if you are going 1-10 through importance.
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top ten
Jan 16, 2005 11:23:29 GMT -8
Post by pooky on Jan 16, 2005 11:23:29 GMT -8
ok, im not a very experianced gerbil owner, and i think that queenofthenile has covered most of the basic stuff, so i only know a couple of things.
1 dont use cotten balls for bedding. it can block there intestinal track (i think)
2 dont let the temperature of the room that you keep them in fall below 15 degrees celcius or above 25 degrees celcius (actually, im not sure about the 25 degrees. is there a top temperature?)
3 dont feed them to much sunflour seeds, they are pretty fattining. they can be used for treats.
thats all i can think of. sorry.
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top ten
Jan 16, 2005 12:28:57 GMT -8
Post by doomgerbiluk on Jan 16, 2005 12:28:57 GMT -8
1) read up on gerbils (So often people forget before getting a pet to find out its needs etc) 2) Cages must be chew proof, secure and not too fussy.Cage toys should NOT be plastic, but wood, ceramic and glass are fien, Heavy items should beon the cage floor. 3)Food, a good balanced diet with special thought to any with special dietary needs and soem variety. Water is essential, a water bottle kept clean and filled daily is ideal 4) suobstrate and bedding: substrate can be sand, woodshavings, carefresh, megasorb. It must be kept clean. It can be supplememnted with shredded paper and straw to make a better digging medium, It should be of sufficine depth to allow digging. Bedding (ie what the animals sleep in) should be safe and non-fibrous. Plain white tissue is best, the cheapest supermarket brands are ideal, toilet, facial or kitchen tissue. 4) Safety, learn how to hold your gerbi safelyl, protect from hazards (ie dogs, cats, meddling children, keep out of draughts, protect from poisons such as aerosol fly killers, polish etc 5) Vets. Sooner or later your going to need one. Be prepared.
'Scuse the gap..need to think moore on this lol
9) rodents get bored, gerbils included, so enrichment (toys, treats, time out etc.) is necessary. 10) fun, for you and your gerbil. The more fun you get out of them the better you care for them. this goes along with enrichment
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top ten
Jan 16, 2005 17:17:29 GMT -8
Post by illusion on Jan 16, 2005 17:17:29 GMT -8
thank you all, It is nice to get "unofficial" information on gerbil care. I f any one else has any suggestions, please, feel free to state them. Thanks in advance, Illusion
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RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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top ten
Jan 16, 2005 17:48:02 GMT -8
Post by RW on Jan 16, 2005 17:48:02 GMT -8
To add to the list:
Don't try putting two or more strange gerbils together without doing a period of split caging. There are exceptions, but usually gerbils who haven't been properly prepared will fight and can severely injure or kill each another.
Gerbils cannot live with other rodent species. Rats, hamsters, mice, etc. and gerbils don't mix, so don't try it.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that because they're small, gerbils aren't intelligent or don't respond to attention and good care.
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