Health Issue

LuvMe · December 2008

As some of you may know form a earlier post of mine, I recently got two new female gerbils. I was just wondering if someone who has prior expeirence with gerbils could tell me if the is healty/normal. My gerbils ate part of their food bowl. It is hard yellow plastic and I was wondering if it would do anything bad to them?

Doberman212 · December 2008

My gerbil used to do that all the time but nothing ever happened to it, although we bought a ceramic bowl for it because it wouldn't stop chewing the plastic ones. Our vet also told us that the cardboard paper part of the toilet paper roll was good for them to chew on since most gerbils chew a lot. My gerbil lived for about 5 years, but I'm not sure about how long their life spam usually is.

LuvMe · December 2008

The stuff I have read said their lifespan is 3-5 years. I think I will get them a ceramic bowl, because we have bought cherry wood sticks for them to chew on.

Doberman212 · December 2008

They will probably love the cherry sticks

Also what type of cage do you have for them because I know my hamster used to chew through certain types of cages and they are kinda similar to gerbils.

LuvMe · December 2008

Doberman212 · December 2008

Dogcot wrote:

<img src="http://www.petmountain.com/shop/standard/1/503214/1.jpg"; alt="http://www.petmountain.com/shop/standard/1/503214/1.jpg"; class="bb-image" />

Hmmm that's a nice cage but I would probably keep an eye on them because my hamster would have chewed right threw that although she did chew more then the average one lol. I had my gerbil in this glass like cage similar to a fish tank. But if you have had them in there for awhile already they should be fine

LuvMe · December 2008

I have had them in there since the 23rd. The bottom is deep and smooth so they can't chew it. The wire is too high up for them to comfortably chew.

Doberman212 · December 2008

Oh then they should be fine

AshleeBrooke · December 2008

I would pm Boz if I were you. She has some gerbils and pretty sure is starting up a gerbil foster thing. xD Think she has a gerbil website also.

LuvMe · December 2008

Okay, thanks.

Boz · December 2008

That sort of cage is a huge no-no for gerbils. Gerbils chew EVERYTHING including plastic. Plastic is dangerous for gerbils. It can be accidentally ingested which could lead to a painful death (suffocating, starving, etc.) because it can block airways, intestinal tracks, and even cut the insides from sharp edges on the way down. The best set-up for a pair of gerbils is a 15 gallon or 20 gallon tank with LOTS of bedding to dig in. Gerbils are tunneling animals and that's why it's recommended they have a tank with about 6 to 7 inches of bedding. Cages like the one posted above are way to small, even for one gerbil to live in. And that is the exact cage my foster were in before they came to my house, and that thing was gross (no offense D; ) But they peed and pooed in the wheel part and it smelled soooo bad. On top of that they were hard to get out of the cage and they were afraid of my hand. With in a day of them moving to a tank they were WAY different. They would come up to my hand and tank treats from it. It was an amazing difference. Some of my set-ups. This a 20 gallon long. (Top is off in this picture) <img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/TankPics/P1010162.jpg"; alt="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/TankPics/P1010162.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> This is with the homemade top I made. <img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/TankPics/P2100119.jpg"; alt="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/TankPics/P2100119.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> This is with their Tank Topper. <img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/TankPics/P1010040.jpg"; alt="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/TankPics/P1010040.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> My fosters are in a 20 gallon High. When they first came they had very little bedding (as I was working with taming them). Each week I added a handful of bedding. I also gave them lots of hay and cardboard to chew which helps create more bedding as they chew it to pieces. My own gerbils don't have this little of bedding. <img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/Fosters/P1010179.jpg"; alt="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/Fosters/P1010179.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> As you can see, I have no plastic in the tanks. Including the water bottles. They are glass. :] As for toys, Cardboard. TP Rolls, paper towel rolls, macaroni and cheese boxes, cereal boxes, just make sure nothing has been spilled on it.

Dogcot wrote:

I have had them in there since the 23rd. The bottom is deep and smooth so they can't chew it. The wire is too high up for them to comfortably chew.

You'd be surprised. There are two gerbils at the shelter I volunteer at now and they are in a cage and they will climb the cage and hang and chew at the bars in the top corners. It's sad to watch. Have you ever seen those aluminum water bottle guards? I've seen gerbils that have chewed through them! Of course, if you reallly want them to live in that cage I guess no one can stop you. I'm just telling you what I, and many other gerbil owners think. :] If you have more questions don't hesitate to ask!

And I should have my gerbil site up really soon which I can link to you when it's done!

LuvMe · December 2008

Wow, thanks. The main reason I have them in the cage I have now, is space issues. I don't have the room for a twenty gallon tank in my room, and I am keeping them in my room because my cats would get at them in any other part of the house. The house I pictureed above is not the exact setup I have, just as close as I could find quickly. The plastic food bowl has been replaced by a cermac one, and the plastc dripper water bottle has become glass. But beside the food/grink setup, the cage has also been extensily modified. I have purchased four different five gallon fish tanks, placing them in four corners of my room. The old cage I have returned to the pet store. The first tank is filled almost to the brink with bedding. The next is about halfway full and also has toys (wood blocks, paper towl tubes, cherry wood sticks) and a salt and a mineral wheel. The third tank has roughly 3 inches of bedding. In it I have a swing critter hidaway made of ediable material. I also have a ceramic hide-e-house, and a running wheel. The last tank is 3/4 of the way full, and I have different things hidden in it. A stick of wood here, a little hay there, you know what I mean. Every tank has a ceramic food bowl with food and a glass water bottlle in it. To connect the tanks I have smooth plastic the could not possiably chew through. In case they do, it is reinforced with wire. If they ever chew through, I found some clear glass piping to replace it with, which I might do anyway. I feed them a small amont of chopped carrot twice weekly. I also have a hamster ball which I put them in for supervised play outside their cage. In addition to Mae and Macie, I purchesed 2 more female gerbils. I now have Macie, Mae, Marie, and Maris. I can easily tell the difference between them all because Mae is gold, Macie is silver, Marie is white, and Maris is solid black.

vickyleigh0 · December 2008

Wow, thanks for the info Boz. My hubby and I bought 2 gerbils about 3 weeks ago and we took the advice of the lady in the pet shop(she did come across as very knowledgable) We purchased the cage below, she told us that it would definately be big enough for the 2 of them. It is made out of plastic and they have already chewed the little ladder and part of their food bowl. We also just bought them the toy pictured below, it is also made of plastic. We will be going out shopping tomorrow to replace the water bottle, food dish, cage and the toy we just bought. They do have a wooden seesaw, they have never used the wheel(except to shove a whole bunch of bedding under it so that the wheel didn't move when they stood on top of it so they could reach the bars, they did this several times lol smart little buggers) so we did remove it. I'm so glad I read this post. This is the cage we have now: <img src="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp158/leighstars/sa-plastic-cage-image.jpg"; alt="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp158/leighstars/sa-plastic-cage-image.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> This is the toy we bought, except I would say it is about 5 of these sets put together: <img src="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp158/leighstars/6719_26_pce_hamster_puzzle_61321.jpg"; alt="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp158/leighstars/6719_26_pce_hamster_puzzle_61321.jpg"; class="bb-image" />

Boz · December 2008

Dogcot wrote:

Wow, thanks. The main reason I have them in the cage I have now, is space issues. I don't have the room for a twenty gallon tank in my room, and I am keeping them in my room because my cats would get at them in any other part of the house. The house I pictureed above is not the exact setup I have, just as close as I could find quickly. The plastic food bowl has been replaced by a cermac one, and the plastc dripper water bottle has become glass. But beside the food/grink setup, the cage has also been extensily modified. I have purchased four different five gallon fish tanks, placing them in four corners of my room. The old cage I have returned to the pet store. The first tank is filled almost to the brink with bedding. The next is about halfway full and also has toys (wood blocks, paper towl tubes, cherry wood sticks) and a salt and a mineral wheel. The third tank has roughly 3 inches of bedding. In it I have a swing critter hidaway made of ediable material. I also have a ceramic hide-e-house, and a running wheel. The last tank is 3/4 of the way full, and I have different things hidden in it. A stick of wood here, a little hay there, you know what I mean. Every tank has a ceramic food bowl with food and a glass water bottlle in it. To connect the tanks I have smooth plastic the could not possiably chew through. In case they do, it is reinforced with wire. If they ever chew through, I found some clear glass piping to replace it with, which I might do anyway. I feed them a small amont of chopped carrot twice weekly. I also have a hamster ball which I put them in for supervised play outside their cage. In addition to Mae and Macie, I purchesed 2 more female gerbils. I now have Macie, Mae, Marie, and Maris. I can easily tell the difference between them all because Mae is gold, Macie is silver, Marie is white, and Maris is solid black.

Glad you switched out the bowl! (Even though it sounded like it was mostly chewed up! XD) That sounds like a neat idea with the tanks but the drawbacks is having connected tanks like that could lead to declanning. ><; Declanning is when they fight and break up. Having separate tanks makes it easier to create territories. What are your second pair being kept in? Oh and a salt and a mineral wheel is not needed. They really don't need them. :P What is the swing critter hidaway made of ediable material? I've never heard of it. xD Even a 10 gallon tank would be better then a cage like that. You can usually fine those second hand.

Do you have pictures of your set up? I'd love to see.

vickyleigh0 wrote:

Wow, thanks for the info Boz. My hubby and I bought 2 gerbils about 3 weeks ago and we took the advice of the lady in the pet shop(she did come across as very knowledgable) We purchased the cage below, she told us that it would definately be big enough for the 2 of them. It is made out of plastic and they have already chewed the little ladder and part of their food bowl. We also just bought them the toy pictured below, it is also made of plastic. We will be going out shopping tomorrow to replace the water bottle, food dish, cage and the toy we just bought. They do have a wooden seesaw, they have never used the wheel(except to shove a whole bunch of bedding under it so that the wheel didn't move when they stood on top of it so they could reach the bars, they did this several times lol smart little buggers) so we did remove it. I'm so glad I read this post. This is the cage we have now: <a href="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp158/leighstars/sa-plastic-cage-image.jpg"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp15 ... -image.jpg</a> This is the toy we bought, except I would say it is about 5 of these sets put together: <a href="http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp158/leighstars/6719_26_pce_hamster_puzzle_61321.jpg"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp15 ... _61321.jpg</a>

I'm glad you found my post informative!

If you ever have questions feel free to PM me!

That sort of cage I believe is often called a Duna. I think they are a step up from cages and a step down from tanks. They do work nice as long as they don't chew the edges. I would say just replace everything else and keep the Duna for now. If they do however start chewing it then replace it. If you do want to replace it right away that's even better.

15 gallon or 20 gallon long is best! I could see that toy being shredded to pieces too. xD Honestly, the best toys for gerbils are cheap. You know those large industrial paper/carpet cores? They are awesome! And you can usually get from free from carpet stores and stuff if you ask.

<img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/P1010021.jpg"; alt="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/P1010021.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> <img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/P1010025.jpg"; alt="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/P1010025.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> <img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/P1010026.jpg"; alt="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/P1010026.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> These are cut pretty long, I have cut some shorter too but you get the idea! XD What type of litter do you both use?

vickyleigh0 · December 2008

I think I'll stick with what they have for now, they havent' tried to chew it yet. We are always giving them tp and paper towel rolls. We use compressed woodshavings and this cottony stuff for their bedding, I forget exactly what it is called, I used the last of it last night and threw out the bag. I believe our little girls are very happy, they love being held. We also put them in those excercise balls at least once a day, sometimes more for about 15-20 minutes at a time. I have to get some pictures, we tried taking some but they wouldn't sit still lol.

LuvMe · December 2008

I have all four of them together. The second two I got where origanlly in the cage with my first two, and they are all four littler mates, so I don't know how they got all the different colors. I took your advice, cleaned up some space in my room, and now have a ten gallon tank set up for them, but I am trying to get them a twenty. I took my five gallon tanks and made much better acomaditions for my lizzards. I have no pictures, as the tank steup went around the whole peremiter of my room.

Boz · December 2008

vickyleigh0 wrote:

I think I'll stick with what they have for now, they havent' tried to chew it yet. We are always giving them tp and paper towel rolls. We use compressed woodshavings and this cottony stuff for their bedding, I forget exactly what it is called, I used the last of it last night and threw out the bag. I believe our little girls are very happy, they love being held. We also put them in those excercise balls at least once a day, sometimes more for about 15-20 minutes at a time. I have to get some pictures, we tried taking some but they wouldn't sit still lol.

xD Yes they are hard to take pictures of! That cottony stuff is not real safe. They fibers can wrap around limbs (especially for pups) or clog insides if ingested. Toiletpaper/tissue paper/paper towel is the best bedding for them.

It's cheap too!

I've gotten a box of tissues and took half the tissues out and gave them that. They LOVED it!

Dogcot wrote:

I have all four of them together. The second two I got where origanlly in the cage with my first two, and they are all four littler mates, so I don't know how they got all the different colors. I took your advice, cleaned up some space in my room, and now have a ten gallon tank set up for them, but I am trying to get them a twenty. I took my five gallon tanks and made much better acomaditions for my lizzards. I have no pictures, as the tank steup went around the whole peremiter of my room.

I'm glad you took my advice!

And a 10 gallon tank is way to small for 4 gerbils. If all four are together you must get no smaller then a 20 gallon Long. a 20 gallon high is big enough for 2, maybe 3 gerbils. Even a 20 gallon Long is pushing it with 4 but I think it'll be okay.

If you could possibly get a 29 gallon that would be great. They are as long as a 20 gallon Long and about the height of a 20 gallon High. I have all three of those sized tanks. XD But I know what you mean by limited space. Tank Size (US GALLONS) - Number of Gerbils 10 Gallon - 1 gerbil 15 Gallon - 1-2 gerbils 20 Gallon HIGH - 1-2 gerbils 20 Gallon LONG - 2-3 gerbils 25 Gallon - 2-3 gerbils 29 Gallon - 3-4 gerbils That's my chart I made. xD Glad your taking my advice.

Oh and for bedding, you shouldn't use pine or cedar. The aromatic oils are toxic for all small animals and even humans. I'm thinking you two might know that. xD Aspen is what I use.

vickyleigh0 · December 2008

Ok, I'll be getting rid of the cottony stuff. Thanks for the warning. The bag of woodshavings doesn't say what it is but it definately doesn't smell like pine or cedar. I remember when I was a kid and we had gerbils we used pine shavings, didn't know any better at the time. All it says on the bag is "The ideal bedding for small animals and pets" "Enviornmentally friendly" It's manufactured by Comfey Pet in the UK.

Boz · December 2008

vickyleigh0 wrote:

Ok, I'll be getting rid of the cottony stuff. Thanks for the warning. The bag of woodshavings doesn't say what it is but it definately doesn't smell like pine or cedar. I remember when I was a kid and we had gerbils we used pine shavings, didn't know any better at the time. All it says on the bag is "The ideal bedding for small animals and pets" "Enviornmentally friendly" It's manufactured by Comfey Pet in the UK.

If it doesn't smell like pine or cedar is might not be then. Usually those two have a strong smell.

Are you interested in joining a gerbil forum? xD If you are, just PM me cause I don't think I can post it.

LuvMe · December 2008

If I put pine, I meant Aspen. I am going out for a 20-25 gallo tnak tomorrow then

Boz · January 2009

Dogcot wrote:

If I put pine, I meant Aspen. I am going out for a 20-25 gallo tnak tomorrow then

Okay good! Pine is not good. x3 Alrighty!

a 25 gal would be better then a 20 gal for four gerbils!

Have you tried craigslist for looking for one second hand? Or try the goodwill or something. I got my 29 gallon at the goodwill for $15! That's over 50% off of the regular price! :O

LuvMe · January 2009

I ended up giving Marie to my younger sister. The litter was five gerbils total, I bought four of them, and she ended up getting one. I gave her marie because I read that they very much enjoy company, and keeping just one is not good. <img src="http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3765722dt.jpg"; alt="http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3765722dt.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> in the front left corner, you see the ediable nest. Sorry, this is the only pic I could find that had it in it

Boz · January 2009

Aww that's nice of you!

Yes they do love friends! That nest I believe is fine. It's just grass hay.

Then a 20 to 25 gallon for 3 is just fine!

I used to have 3 gerbils living in my 20 gallon long and they did just fine. Sadly Maxie died in August to an unknown reason. $:\$ I recently just had to clean the girls' tank and when it was all finished it looked like this: <img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/2008HowISetupGirlsTank/PC292982.jpg"; alt="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/CoolBozPup14/2008/Gerbils/2008HowISetupGirlsTank/PC292982.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> Over the last couple days they've padded it down some and chewed stuff put though! :P

LuvMe · January 2009

I have given them 3 tp rolls, which lasted them about 10 mins.

Crabby · January 2009

I also have gerbils. They are both male, but get along just fine! Boz, I've talked to you alot on chat (btw this is Rikka a.k.a Diz) and my dad would only get us a 10gal tank. And he won't buy us nice bedding. He is very cheap and will only get free sawdust from a guy at work. My mom won't take me to the pet store either because she said: "It's your dad's pets, his responsibility". Because my parents are divorced. I'd also like to get a cage extension, but we have no room at my dads.

Personally, they'd be better off at my moms house. My dad has a stereo right underneath their cage! And he plays it so loud! I yell at him and constantly turn the stereo off, but then I end up getting grounded! Also, I'm concerned for my gerbils health, my older gerbil; Coffee(about 2years) has a weird lump on his scent gland. Any help please?

Boz · January 2009

Dogcot wrote:

I have given them 3 tp rolls, which lasted them about 10 mins.

haha! XD That's normal! x33

Crabby wrote:

I also have gerbils. They are both male, but get along just fine! Boz, I've talked to you alot on chat (btw this is Rikka a.k.a Diz) and my dad would only get us a 10gal tank. And he won't buy us nice bedding. He is very cheap and will only get free sawdust from a guy at work. My mom won't take me to the pet store either because she said: "It's your dad's pets, his responsibility". Because my parents are divorced. I'd also like to get a cage extension, but we have no room at my dads. Personally, they'd be better off at my moms house. My dad has a stereo right underneath their cage! And he plays it so loud! I yell at him and constantly turn the stereo off, but then I end up getting grounded! Also, I'm concerned for my gerbils health, my older gerbil; Coffee(about 2years) has a weird lump on his scent gland. Any help please?

Yes I've talked to you! Male gerbils get along with eachother fine! Actually in larger groups males are less likely to fight then females. xD A 10 gallon tank is okay, it's better then a cage, in my opinion. A 15 gallon is better. It's hard to convince some people what's really right when it comes to small pets sometimes. >.< I don't know if this will help but this is a helpful website. Maybe you can show your dad? It says right on there that sawdust is bad! :P <a href="http://www.petermaas.nl/gerbils/english.htm"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.petermaas.nl/gerbils/english.htm</a> Another helpful one: <a href="http://www.egerbil.com/"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.egerbil.com/</a> This tells a lot about scent glad tumors! <a href="http://www.egerbil.com/neoplasia.html#scent_gland_tumours1"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.egerbil.com/neoplasia.html#s ... d_tumours1</a> (Sorry to take over your thread Dogcot!)

Crabby · January 2009

Weee! Boz, I'm getting a 20gal tank for my boys today! <33 And some nice aspen bedding! ^_^

Boz · January 2009

Crabby wrote:

Weee! Boz, I'm getting a 20gal tank for my boys today! <33 And some nice aspen bedding! ^_^

:O That's awesome! How did you convince him?!

Crabby · January 2009

I didn't. xD He doesn't even know. My mom had to take us, and I had to pay for it all. ;-;

Boz · January 2009

Crabby wrote:

I didn't. xD He doesn't even know. My mom had to take us, and I had to pay for it all. ;-;

Aww! So your mom took you? Well you should get on chat! So we can talk!

Crabby · January 2009

i am! xD

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