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Post by miasheart on Apr 14, 2005 17:47:05 GMT -8
Has anyone tried to use clumping cat litter in a little bowl to see if they will use it as their toilet area? Thanks.
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Post by janet on Apr 15, 2005 7:52:38 GMT -8
Hi!
I have the same question - I noticed our little guy goes to the bathroom inside a cardboard box (empty tissue box) which I thought he would shred in a minute! I guess they do like the litter box option, but not sure how to put one together. I think there was mention of it in one of the other forum categories - surf around them I am sure we will find something about it. ;D
Janet
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Apr 15, 2005 9:19:16 GMT -8
I've never tried cat litter, but I think it will work. My gerbils use their sand bowl as a toilet!
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Post by gerbilsrgreat on Apr 15, 2005 20:32:47 GMT -8
I guess cat litter would work, but shouldn't it be dust free since too much dust can be hard on gerbils' repiratory systems?
-Jeremiah
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Apr 16, 2005 2:26:58 GMT -8
Yes it should be!  |
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Post by taivas on Apr 16, 2005 4:46:40 GMT -8
Hi
I learned from rat keepers that you shouldn´t use clumping cat litter because if the rats swallow it it will clump in their stomach and can lead to serious problems. I don´t know about gerbils. Actually I think they won´t swallow it easily because they are smaller than rats.... but well, I don´t know.
My gerbils use their bathing sand bowls as toilet (though they still use other places, too). I have to admit that I have to change the sand almost every day unfortunatelly but it´s o.k. for me. I found a quite cheap sort of chinchilla - sand. So it´s not too expensive.
Greatings,
Sabine
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Apr 16, 2005 7:37:17 GMT -8
As this is a problem with rats, it is most likely also for gerbils! Therefor I should not use clumping cat litter. Just to be on the safe side!
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Post by RitzieAnn on Apr 16, 2005 22:18:50 GMT -8
If you have an old sifter of some sort, you can always sift your litter/sand. Then you don't have to change it as often, but it gets cleaned out still.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Apr 17, 2005 2:31:03 GMT -8
I have a sevie just for the sand.
I have a bucket and a storage box.
Used sand is seived, when it gets smellly it goes in the bucket and gets swirled around with very hot water. Once the sand settles the excess is poured off and the process repeated. The sand is spread outing baking trays and baked till dry.
once cold (and totally cold, I melted a hole in a plastic pen once being impatient) it goes into storage till needed.
I always have sterile sand available.
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Post by gerbil on Apr 17, 2005 16:01:46 GMT -8
I wouldn't do it, just in case.
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Post by sweetie on Apr 21, 2005 12:18:43 GMT -8
I fear that gerbils would not do well with the clumping litter. I am not sure what chemicals they have in it and most cat litters are dusty.
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Post by diannaneglia on Apr 26, 2005 11:29:37 GMT -8
My son has a hamster, and we bought a little litter box and litter that they sell at Petsmart. Unfortunately we couldn't get the hamster to use it. I wonder if gerbils would use that simular to sand. I would still use the sand for bathing but the litter box for peeing. I wonder.......   |
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Post by diannaneglia on Apr 26, 2005 11:33:14 GMT -8
Oh and I forgot to add...at least the gerbils are peeing in the sand and keeping their cages from having to be totally changed as often. My daughter (14yrs.) and I just got a pair of gerbils a few weeks back. One died...so we got another one and did the switching thing for about four days. Now the guys are best buddies...only thing is, they are not all that happy when I change their cage...they go crazy after the new litter has been changed...will this stress them out to the point of sickness? I couldn't handle losing another one of these adorable little guys so soon! Thanks! |
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Post by gerbil on Apr 26, 2005 13:00:18 GMT -8
All gerbils go crazy when their bedding is changed. I think it's becuase they're in a new territory and their scent is not on the bedding anymore. I've never heard of gerbs dying becuase of it though. I wouldn't worry.
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Post by AndreaS15 on Apr 26, 2005 20:50:33 GMT -8
Clumping litter is harmfull to small rodents, I do not advise useing it. Even the power/dust it has can be harmful to them, being that is 'absorbes'. Alot use Cillica in it, Cillica is found in those little pouches you get with new shoes that say "Do Not Eat!"... If it's harmful to a human it's alot worse for a small animal.
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