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Post by squeaksister on Jun 21, 2005 16:26:56 GMT -8
I'm getting my new male gerbil in Mid-July, his mate isn't available till August. Will he be lonely until then? He may have another male cage mate at the end of beginning of August he can room with for a short while, but will that be too stressful going from a litter of 4 to just himself to maybe one other and then swapped 3 weeks later with another?
Or because everyone will be so young should I house the boys for a few months together until they and their mates are more mature.
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Post by meganb52 on Jun 21, 2005 21:49:54 GMT -8
When I bought my first gerbil, I really didn't know as much as I thought I should have, and I only bought one. I had a class period in vet school devoted to hamsters and gerbils, but they didn't go into the details about keeping them in pairs. I got my second gerbil as a companion about 2 or 3 weeks later, and then quarantined her for another two weeks before I introduced them to each other, so there was around a month's time when both gerbils were by themselves. I made it a point to get them both out every day and play with them (wash your hands in between though!), and I think that helps with lonliness. I think you should be OK, but I do suggest you quarantine them from each other for two weeks before introducing them. If you're only going to have the third male for a short while, I would resist putting them together for the same reason: quarantine, and also the stress of putting them together to where they start to bond and then you remove one. It would be stressful on me at least  . I'm one who doesn't like to take chances, and if you make a little time to play with him every day, he should do fine until his new permanent cage mate is ready to go. -Megan |
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Post by malabui on Jun 22, 2005 0:18:40 GMT -8
I have 2 gerbiils that are on their own. This is because their cage-mate has died. I find that they haven't got lonely because they listen to the radio and CDs (they all have their favorites!!!) and they like watching what is happenening outside their cage (and joining in!)
Though one time I had a gerbil on her own because she was the only female in her litter, but she loved the hamster that was next cage to her. They would stare at one another and mimic each other. It was really sweet! (but for some reason gerbils find hamsters a little stupid)
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Post by squeaksister on Jun 22, 2005 5:06:43 GMT -8
Quarantine? Really I havent seen that mentioned before, is that standard or just a good idea? And what is quarantine exactly, just keep them in sepearte cages for awhile to see if anything develops?
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 22, 2005 5:41:57 GMT -8
It is better to quarantine gerbils in a different tank and a different room! For large breeders this it is standard to quarantine new gerbils to prevent new diseases into their stock. When they don't show any problems during the quarantine period, they can safely placed with the other gerbils.
Not many people do this, but I think it is smart to do for everyone! Especially with pet shop gerbils.
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SuperGirlH
Member
Are you lookin' at me punk?
Posts: 299
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Post by SuperGirlH on Jun 22, 2005 8:40:45 GMT -8
I think it will be fine. I had one of my females alone for about a month while I waited for her mate to be delivered. She didn't seem too lonely. I think she was relieved since she just left a big litter of 7 or 8 pups at the pet store! lol. But I don't think it's a problem keeping one by itself, as long as its not forever  |
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. I'm one who doesn't like to take chances, and if you make a little time to play with him every day, he should do fine until his new permanent cage mate is ready to go.
