Gerbils?

[MsBinky]

Hehehe

I'm asking this very innocently... But... Gerbils make good pets right? How is it with the pet shop food? Is it good? Or is it better to make something yourself?

*Scampers out quickly*

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Yes Gerbils do make good pets. They rarely bite unless they are in distress. They do best in same sex pairs or small groups if male. Best housing is an aquarium with lid, 10 gallon minimum for 2. A wheel is a good idea, but it should be solid or mesh, no bars ans their tail can get caught.

Block food is a good idea so they eat everything and don't pick what they want. But a seed mix can be used for variety, but pick out sunflower seeds. You can make your own, but you need to find tons of stuff, so it may not be cost effective.

They need a constant supply of water. Even though they are dessert animals, they still need water. A bottle is best, and a guard is helpful to prevent chewing. Aspen shaving are a god choice, no pine or cedar. Bedding should be changed at least every 2 weeks. They don't produce a lot of odor

Gerbils are fairly easy to care for. IMO they are way better than hamsters

 

[MsBinky]

Hehe thank you. MrBinky is already freaking out. He's not even here so who is he to complain? But ok ok I will behave... I saw the new Habitrail Ovo and fell in love with the cage. *Blushes*

I've always liked gerbils (well since working at the pet shop) I used to play with them all the time. I'd scoop out the hamsters with the scoop but I'd pick up the gerbils with my hands I didn't like hamsters then. I am not so scared of them biting me anymore but it's not one I like to handle. Gerbils are just more fun :biggrin2:

 

[TinysMom]

I had gerbils as a kid and loved them. I don't think I could bring myself to handle them now - I know that I can't bring myself to touch Amy's guinea pigs (Robin takes care of them for me). The kids did have the really furry guinea pigs years and years ago....or was it hamsters? I forget.

I got bit by my hamster and was trying to get it off when it let go and fell to the floor - it died several hours later and my mom did everything she could to patch it up for me (tried to put a little band aid on it, etc) - this was years and years ago obviously. I think that getting bit back then is what makes me nervous about them now.

Peg

 

[okiron]

Aww *huggies Peg*

 

[MsBinky]

:shockeg, you have to touch the guinea pigs! They are awesome pets :biggrin2:Yeah... I had a hamster when i was a kiddo and it bit me on the shoulder so my dad sent it away because he didn't like pets biting for no reason. Lol. Seriously though, guinea pigs are as gentle as they come. They are even less prone to biting than rabbits are :biggrin2:I miss mine so much

 

[Bassetluv]

When I was a teenager my best friend and I each had a gerbil for pets. I never did get very attached to my gerbil, as he was rather aggressive...and so I assumed that all gerbils were that way, and never had another one after that. Apparently though, that they do make very good pets when handled properly.

btw, did you know that as a defense mechanism, the gerbil can detach its tail? Well, not the entire tail exactly...but the fur and skin will come off. We found that out the gross way when my friend's gerbil was trying to get away from her, and she managed to grasp his tail before he scurried under the sofa. Unfortunately, he clung to the carpet and pulled...and suddenly he darted away, leaving my shocked friend holding nothing but a *tail casing*. I can imagine the gerbil wasn't very impressed either....his tail was never really the same again. :?

Oh, and rule of thumb: don't mix gerbils and rabbits....another mishap that occured whilst I was a gerbil owner (don't forget, I was still a pretty wet-behind-the-ears teen) happened when I decided to take one of my bunnies out in the yard one day. I also thought my gerbil would enjoy the outing, so I carried them both out in a box...the box had a divider down the middle, but not top on it. Well, when I set the box on the ground the gerbil leapt up, grabbed the bunny by the cheek, and wouldn't let go. I tried to get him to release his grip, but he was stubborn...so I had to wait until he decided to drop off by himself. The bunny, for whatever reason, didn't seem too put out by it; at least he didn't have a wound that I could see. Still, it was a strange sight, seeing a rabbit with a gerbil hanging off of his face.

 

[undergunfire]

Ms. Binky....when you get into new animals, the best way to learn and explore is to find an active forum and join....and then read, read, read, read, read.


I do this often. I get interested in certain animals, then join a forum and read all that I can. I am currently reading a Bearded Dragon forum, and have been for a few months. I would love to have a big Beardie tank when I get my own house some day.

 

[EileenH]

I lovemy gerbil! he is black with a little bit of white. Very sweet, never even tries to bite. His name is Gilbert.

They are not as much fun as rats; rats are very interactive and like to play with you. Gerbils are fun to watch but you really can't play with them.

That said, they are easy to clean and easy to feed.

 

[MsBinky]

Thanks for all the info :biggrin2:

Yeah, I agree about the forum. Just don't have much time to go on multiple forums right now. I handled them a lot when working at the pet shop so I got a good feel for them. Unfortunately, we always had to push the pet shop food out so I didn't really know what was best food wise. :?

I shouldn't be getting one now becauseI had offered to foster but I think I will end upfostering abunny instead. Despite have diassembled all my cages and stored them and having told myself no more bunnies... LOL. :?but they contacted me and need help and I feel bad refusing :?