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Post by kenshinxninja on Sept 26, 2004 19:20:07 GMT -8
What type of sand should I use for the gerbil's bath? I currently only have one gerbil cuz my parent's would let me get another should I just goto home depo and purchase their sand? Or is there a specific good type at petstores? thank's also what type of thing should I put the sand in I currently have a mini plastic cage that i use for transportation of my mice n gerbils.. could I use that? Thanks!
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Post by j on Sept 27, 2004 16:00:49 GMT -8
Just go to Walmart, HomeDepot,ToysRuss, Target..anywhere and get childrens play sand. Fill the mini cage with it and put it in the tank.
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Post by Kenshin on Sept 27, 2004 20:00:59 GMT -8
Thank's, I got some sand from under the house *Bags of it* I had to try it with a blow dryer for like 3 ours to get the moistness out :-P It was CHildrens Play Sand, so then after that I finally put my gerbil in there and he would rub his nose in it so I just grabbed handfuls of sand and put it on him and he would shake it off *thus* cleaning him I'm pretty sure :-P
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Post by paws on Sept 28, 2004 6:46:30 GMT -8
You could also use chinchilla bath... it makes them really shiny. My Shiny black mongolian lookes like he's just been dusted and shined ;D. What colour is your^gerbil? Maybe you should get your parents to consider getting another gerbil, they get lonely no matter how much you play with them. You can introduce them with the split cage method, unless you have an elderly female. I was going to breed One of my two gerbils with by friend's gerbil, but we found out she was too old and used to being with other girls to accept a male.
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Sept 28, 2004 7:08:51 GMT -8
And I use bird sand, works very well too! ;D
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Post by paws on Sept 29, 2004 8:26:33 GMT -8
and sand and sawdust make great bedding
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Post by birchmoon on Sept 29, 2004 9:23:18 GMT -8
I've noticed through trial and error that mine will definately roll around a lot more in finer dust. They get chinchilla dust a couple times a week, and always have play sand in their cage. i'd run the play sand through a wire strainer for them. Takes out all the bigger chunks.
heather
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Post by Kenshin on Sept 29, 2004 18:49:28 GMT -8
I just redid her cage, Half sand and HALF pine shavings, she loves it only bad thing is she is a STEROTYPE digger :-\
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Post by paws on Sept 29, 2004 21:52:15 GMT -8
That's good... you could have and experiment with different kinds of shavings.
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Post by Kenshin on Sept 30, 2004 12:38:57 GMT -8
Hm.. just a quick question, is the DUST from the sand bad for the gerbil? Because I aired it out for like 1.5 hours and it is still somewhat dusty.. does this dust harm the gerbil? Thx
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Post by sweetie on Sept 30, 2004 17:22:40 GMT -8
Hey Kenshin, The dust may affect a young pup who is under 12 weeks of age. Pups are notorious for respiratory infections. Also some older gerbils are allergic to some types of bedding or litter. I noticed that you stated you were using Pine. This may not be the best choice. Cedar and Pine shavings have oils in them that may cause allergic reactions or affect the kidneys. Alpine wood shavings is a better choice since it hold no oils. It is also less expensive than other acceptable beddings like corncob or carefresh. How many gerbils do you have? How old are they? Have you considered becoming a member? Then you could post pictures which we all love . BTW it's free. You don't need to pay anything to be a member. You are allowed other benefits like: posting pictures, being in the photo of the month contest, posting as much as you want. It is really a great place to share ideas and exchange info.
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Post by kenshinxninja on Sept 30, 2004 18:50:31 GMT -8
I have been a member.. I was just to lazy to log in I hate not being able to choose my own pass lol, I only have 1 Gerbil and to tell you the truth I can barely tell if she's male or female I have looked online at those pics which were terrible and I still can't tell >.< Anyway, I have had her for 1 week got her from Petco and I am getting her a partner NEXT friday I also have TWO Mice, ONE COMMON one FANCY THey are together living it up I am soon getting a 25\20 gal for my gerbil So that I can put more toys in there, Currently I cleaned out his cage washed it with Shampoo and then I put PINE SHAVINGS at the VERY bottom then covered the whole top about 3 inches with sand, maybe 4 to 5 not sure but it's alot, She loves it so far :-P, I also look in her eye's daily for any reactions to the dust\pine nothing so far Man.. she almost never drinks
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Post by blackie on Oct 2, 2004 7:11:58 GMT -8
Maybe you can take the gerbil to a vet an the vet can determine the sex of the gerbil? It's not really that difficult. If you know what to look for.
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Post by blackie on Oct 2, 2004 7:13:09 GMT -8
Not all gerbils will have allergic reactions to pine bedding.
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Post by j on Oct 2, 2004 17:54:22 GMT -8
Not all gerbils will have allergic reactions to pine bedding. Might cause cancer or something though when they're older..read that on another website. Makes sense... pine is full of crap oils, they lick that, ingest it, gets in their skin and pores.. Can cause inside health problems, not just respritory infections. Won't happen right away, but could shorten their lifespan. I know when I was a kid and used it for hamsters..most lived for about 1 year, some 2yrs.
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