Sand Bathing

[ger]

i have just finished doing the split cage. it was a great sucess.

i have been reading about sand baths latly, but i don't know if there needs to be a certain type of sand or what.

so, does it need to be extra fine or beach sand or what?

[callimico]

Glad your split cage intro worked out.

For bathing use chinchilla bath sand it's the safest, least-dusty bathing product out their, this site homepage.mac.com/kyleekay/tip-of-the-week/tip061403.html has more info on sand baths. Some people say bird sand is ok, but I've heard its to coarse for gerbils to use.

Just place the sand in a container big enough for them to roll around in, but with high enough sides they won't kick it out. It'll probably take them a few tries before they get the hang of it, but they'll love it ;D

[Ritzie/Admin]

Bird sand is ok too! It is not too course! Chinchilla sand is specially made for the fine fur of these animals. Their hairs are very fragile. Bird sand could cut / break the hair! The Mongolian gerbil's hair is not that sensitive. Bird sand is good enough for them. Remember the wild situation of these animals too! Gerbils are used to bath in normal (semi-)desert sand!

I do not use chinchilla sand, because bird sand is also good ... and it is not that expensive! Especially when you have many gerbils (which use their sand bath also as a toilet ;D)!

[sweetie]

Hello ger,

I use play sand. I would not suggest beach sand since it may contain sand fleas. It may also contain bacteria that may be harmful to the little guys.

ANy of the other sand is good also but I would definitely stay away from beach sand unless you can sanitize it.

[Ritzie/Admin]

Yes, I've used also sometimes play sand! Indeed good too!