Amonia in gerbil urine?

[Ritzie/Admin]

Today I've recieved the following e-mail:

I noticed that on your housing page under demands, you said, " The cage has also to be ventilated very well, because in a cage that doesn't ventilate very well the animals can get problems from ammonia-fumes." I am not arguing
with the fact that the cage needs to be well ventilated, but I have found in several other websites that gerbils, unlike other rodents, do not have amonia in their urine. If I am mistaken, please inform me.

I don't think gerbils are any different than other rodents, but I can be wrong! Does anyone know more?

[doomgerbiluk]

Gerbils do not produce large quantities of urine. therefore the formation of ammonia in the bedding is much less that with other rodents, meaning a tank is a suitable environment BUT even so ventilation does matter for two reasons
1) for comfort
2) to prevent condensation

Meanwhile rats wee a lot and are prone to asthma like conditions, therefore tanks are unsuitable for them as the ammonia builds up!!!
In other words gerbils do not need as much ventilation as rats, for instance, but neither is it healthy to keep them in stuffy conditions.

[Ritzie/Admin]

Thank you Gill, this is very useful!

[Manix]

If you need any proof that there is indeed ammonia in Gerbil urine, just forget to change the litter box for a few days, the smell of ammonia is easily distinguishable from than of simple urine....no question about it.

[Ritzie/Admin]

lol, that is also what I've told the writer of that e-mail.

[sorchajude]

i have hamsters and they smell much more than my gerbils .

i dono if that helps .