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How to Make a Comfortable Home for Your New Gerbil
How to Make a Comfortable Home for Your New Gerbil
Do you plan on bringing home a new pet gerbil? If the answer is yes then you need to know a few things. For example, what type of bed does your pet need? What kind of playthings does a gerbil use? Here is a list of everything that you need to have in place before bringing your pet to its new home.
You must be aware of the fact that small animals like gerbils, hamsters and rats can be easily placed in a cage made of wire. You must prevent using plastic as most small animals like the ones already mentioned are capable of chewing it. The cage should be such that your pets cannot escape. At the same time make sure that it is well ventilated.
Another thing that you can do is to place your pet in an aquarium. A large aquarium, say a ten gallon one, can easily accommodate two gerbils together. If you have the options of going for an aquarium or for a wire cage do go for an aquarium because it is the better of the two. An aquarium is the preferred option because your pet gerbils can be safer in an aquarium. There is a less scope of your pets being harmed in an aquarium because they cannot get their tails or their paws caught in the wire. Lastly, you can safely spread the bedding of your pets more easily in an aquarium.
One thing that you should always keep a note of is to securely close the lid and/or cage door. If you forget to do so then your gerbils will use the opportunity to escape. Your gerbils can even leap out of the aquarium if it isn’t closed properly.
For bedding you should have around two or three inches from the cage floor. In case of breeding 2 inches suffice. Use carefresh as recommended by pet stores, for breeding. In case of nesting material the best thing is toilet paper torn into strips.
Your pet needs exercise. You can put in an exercise wheel but don’t use a metal one. A metal one may harm your pet. You should use the kind that has its floor covered or say something like the Flying Saucer.
Make sure your pet has a constant supply of fresh water. Put in a water bottle that is replenished when needed.
Toys are very important to your gerbils. Let them have a block of wood to chew because their teeth are always growing. Also give them place to hide when they feel like it. Don’t give the plastic ones but roll up toilet paper or some such material. This material might not last too long but they are way better than the chewable plastic. Remember even gerbils need their bit of privacy.
Gerbils will always spread out the food before they eat so there’s no point in providing a bowl or a plate. Give the food on the bedding itself. Keep a watch on them to make sure that they are eating to stay nourished.
For bedding material an excellent material is aspen shavings. But DON’T use any other sort especially harmful ones like cedar or pine. They cause problems of the heart and liver.
For feeding you can use flax, sesame seeds, split peas and spelt.
You can treat your gerbils to some of their favorite things like carrots, apples, pears and zucchini. Nuts, seeds of pumpkin are also other favorite things of gerbils. Remember not to treat them to often though because that may cause them harm.
Never use the bedding material of pet stores. The gerbils will only try to eat it without being able to digest. They may also get trapped in it.
Another thing that you should never use is treated wool. This too severely harms the digestion of gerbils.
Gerbil pets, Gerbil information, Gerbil tips, Gerbil advice
Next Article: Natural habitat for a Mongolian Gerbil
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