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So you want a Gerbil as a pet
So you want a Gerbil as a pet
Gerbils are extremely popular as pet rodents and can be a lot of fun. They are super easy to clean, take care of, and feed. If you are considering getting a Gerbil to be your pet and companion, you should learn how to care for them.
The size and life span of a Gerbil
An adult Gerbil can live up to 3 years, some may live even longer. A fully-grown Gerbil can measure up to 4-5” long with a tail that is almost as long as the body.
How to house your Gerbil
One pair of gerbils will live happily in a 10 gallon fish tank, although, almost nothing is too big for pets. Wooden cages will have holes chewed into them very fast and wire cages are a bad idea because gerbils like to chew and dig in their homes.
How to feed your Gerbil
You can easily find premixed Gerbil food at the local pet store. You can also mix your own feed from hamster and parrot feeds. One food to keep out is sunflower seed. Gerbils really like sunflower seeds and tend to overeat them. You can use them as treats while training them or playing with them.
Gerbils usually get their water requirement from the food they eat. But since pet food is too dry, arrange for fresh water in the cage. Gerbils also like fresh fruits, vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, cheese etc. But keep them away from fatty and starchy food to keep them healthy and active.
Your social Gerbil
Unlike hamsters, it is a bad idea to have a single gerbil as a pet. Gerbils are highly social creatures and having company makes them more active, happy and live a longer life. 2 males or 2 females that know each other can easily and safely be kept together. Usually choosing Gerbils from the same litter is the way to go. Never try to introduce a young Gerbil into a cage with an older gerbil. The older is likely to fight and kill the younger Gerbil for ‘intruding’ into its territory.
Caring for your Gerbil
You should normally feed your gerbil everyday. But if you need to go away for a day or two, just fill the feeding bowl with extra food that won’t go bad before you return. A gravity fed water drip will last for up to a week but you should change the water at least once or twice a week, if not daily.
Since they come from the desert, Gerbil dropping is very dry and is in the form of pellets. Also, they usually have one spot for droppings, which makes it very easy to just scoop it up now and then. You will need to replace the bedding at least once a month or as often as needed. Leave a small part of the old bedding so that the new bedding has a familiar scent.
You do not have to create a special habitat with artificial lights for Gerbils. They are alternately active and sleeping through out day and night, sleeping for only an hour or two every time. But captive bred Gerbils and pet Gerbils can easily adapt to the human’s own schedule.
Gerbil pets, Gerbil information, Gerbil tips, Gerbil advice
Next Article: Toys for your gerbil
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