Lone female - what to do?

[lucy2]

Hiya,
About a year ago i came to this formum when one of my year one female gerbils died from a tumor and we wanted a friend for the femaining gerbil. The introduction went smoothly (we introduced the remaining gerbil Buffy to a baby called Tinker). Sadly last week Buffy became ill. She was cold, sleepy and tired (but no abnormal stools) and despite trips to the vet and antibotics, she died on Sunday. Tink seems to have plenty of energy and seems fine but I am really worried about her incase she gets sick. I am also worried about what to do about her being alone. She is a year old and she and Buffy had started to have a few problems with the excessive humping although our vet told us that this would get better with time. I am worried that leaving Tink by herself could make her miserable but also that introducing her to another gerbil could cause problems down the line with dominance. To be honest I feel very upset at losing another gerbil prematurely (she was only two) and I really don't know what to do for the best for Tink. What do people suggest? Thanks, sorry for the essay!

[doom gerbil]

I'm sorry to hear about your gerbils.
In the wild gerbils are never found over two years old so her death was NOT premature, you could say anything over 2 is a bonus!!!

Don't feel guilty, but do consult with your vet over the symptoms and then you can decide whether to get another youngster or leave her on her own.

[lizzy]

Two of mine, Katy and Sassy are by themselves and they won't mix with each other, I've tried many times. Sassy is the most tempramental gerb I have, and she seems perfectly ok on her own and doesn't need that much attention from me, considering she doesn't really like a lot of handling. Katy on the other hand is a lot more friendly and handleable and as soon as I take the lid off her cage usually she'll jump out and start nosing around. She is a bit more intelligent I think and needs more attention and things to do.

I can see where you are coming from with the dominance issue, I introduced two of my gerbs fine to begin with, but then I put them into two tanks which adjoined and they started getting possessive over each tank. Mind you I think that can happen with any gerbil pair not just two that are unrelated. When they were in about 10 gallons of tank however they would squabble and squeak. I eventually put them in a 22 gallon tank and since then I have had no problems whatsoever. I think provided you have enough space you will not have too much of a problem. I think your main worry will be introducing one to Tink considering she is a year old now and female which makes them harder to introduce.

I think a trip to the vet will be beneficial to Tink also and of course make sure she is in the clear before trying to introduce a friend, you probably already know this though

Good luck whatever you decide to do and sorry to hear about Buffy.

[sweetie]

Hi Lucy,

I am sorry to hear about Buffy. Like Doom said it is not premature for them to pass at 2.

I think that you may want to consider getting a young pup for Tink after you make sure she is healthy. A split cage might take a little longer than normal but it should work. Females are harder to introduce but not impossible.

Good luck and keep us posted.