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Post by ardenavis on Mar 6, 2005 9:01:43 GMT -8
I have three male five-month-old gerbils. I keep them in a wire cage with plastic attachments. The main problem is the wheel. Everytime I try to put it on there, they kick shavings into it and sleep in there, no matter what "home" I have in there with them. I'm worried that they won't get enough exercise without it. I don't know how big the cage is, but I'd guess 10-15 gallons. Not really enough room for them to have a good run without a wheel. Any ideas/suggestions?
The other question I have is that I bought a sand bath for them. At first they twirled around in it, but now they just pee in it. What's that about? Thanks!
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Post by queenofthenile on Mar 7, 2005 6:14:22 GMT -8
If they really want to run in the wheel, they won't bury it. It is likely that they just aren't too fond of it. You could try putting them in the rolling hamster balls for exercise.
As for the sand bath, they will only use it as a bath for about 10-30 minutes. Then it becomes a toilet. It's completely natural. If you just want them to use it as a bath, then you must remove it after 15 minutes, you can't leave it in the cage.
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Post by ardenavis on Mar 7, 2005 7:19:05 GMT -8
Ok. I'll try to buy a gerbil ball this weekend. Thanks for your help! I've only had for a few weeks, so I'm kinda new with this. I'm so glad I found this forum, I've been reading bakc entries and it's really informative!
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Post by snowydesert on Mar 7, 2005 13:41:00 GMT -8
And if you're gerbils end up not liking the ball either (hey, it happens sometimes) you could also try a gerbil pen.
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Post by ardenavis on Mar 7, 2005 13:46:41 GMT -8
I have one of those, but I need more toys for it. They just try to get out of the pen the whole time, they don't really run or play.
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Post by sweetie on Mar 9, 2005 9:02:47 GMT -8
Hey arden,
Mine like the roll around balls. Also you don't need to buy a whole bunch of toys for your gerbils. They love to hide and run. All you need are some paper towels, white paper plates and boxes!! Put the boxes in the pen (away from the walls so they don't climb and jump) then put the paper towels over the boxes. Mine love to run and tunnel under them.
Seriously, gerbils are like kids...... they would rather play with the boxes and the wrapping more than the toys. You would be wasting a lot of money. I learned through experience. Just glad I could pass it on to help some one else.
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Post by ardenavis on Mar 9, 2005 13:46:19 GMT -8
Thanks! That's a lot easier and cheaper. I'm sure I have some cardboard boxes that I can dig up from somewhere...
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Post by tasha on Apr 6, 2005 12:06:02 GMT -8
You could try moving the wheel up higher on the side of the cage too. Mine is quite high and they can get up and down with no problem.
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