Published 7/20/09 4 months ago | Views 279 Grade B Pets & Animals / Rodents

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Grade B Views 279
Last edited 4 months ago

Do you ever see your gerbil sitting in the cage, looking sad? This article explains how to keep your gerbil happy!

Step 1

If you only have one gerbil, get him or her a little buddy of the same gender! Gerbils are very social creatures. This will keep your gerbil much happier.

Step 2

Make sure your gerbil has lots of toys. Suitable items include such things as toilet paper/paper towel tubes, cardboard boxes, etc. Have the family leave toilet rolls in a box or basket when the end of the roll is reached and collect them regularly.

Step 3

Make sure that your gerbil is comfortable around you before handling him.

Step 4

Give your gerbil a piece of untreated wood to chew on; gerbils' teeth are always growing.

Step 5

Add 2-3 inches of bedding to dig in at the bottom of the cage. Gerbils love to dig.

Step 6

Give your gerbil a wheel to run in. Make sure it is not a wire slat type, because her tail or feet could get stuck easily. Wire mesh or solid will be fine.

Step 7

Clean your gerbil's cage regularly. Since gerbils come from the desert and produce little waste or odour, it only needs to be cleaned every week.

Step 8

Give your gerbil some sand to roll and dig in.

Tips

Gerbils love treats. Here is a list of good gerbil treats: fruits/veggies such as carrots, apples, lettuce and zucchini, although fruit can give them runny stomachs. Don't feed them pears, as that could give them a tummy ache. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds and nuts such as peanuts, pecans, pine and raw unsalted cashews are also good treats. Treats shouldn't be more than ten percent of the gerbils diet.
If you can dangle a treat such as carrot stumps from the top of your gerbil's tank, he will enjoy the task of retreving it and trying to eat it. (It's also quite cute to watch!)

Warnings

Never feed your gerbil avocado or citrus fruit.
Don't give them bedding of pine, it's harmful to the gerbils.
Never try to give your gerbil a "shower" or "bath" by pouring water over them if you don't know what you're doing. It strips them of the oils in their fur and skin, and they might catch a chill quickly if not extremely dry and warm. They can get pneumonia, if not treated they may die. If your gerbil looks dirty give them a chinchilla dust bath.