Are you thinking about getting a pet Gerbil?
Many American families choose a gerbil as their child’s very first pet. Parents want to be sure that their child is capable of taking care of a pet and can handle all of the responsibility. Gerbils don’t have to be walked daily, nor do they require a 10-year commitment.
They make excellent pets for children. Gerbils are a great pet for kids. Although caring for a Gerbil is simple and easy, parents and kids should know some important things before they bring one into their home.
1 Gerbils Are Social Animals
Gerbils can suffer from a lonely life. They are more social than hamsters and they do not like to be alone. Research has shown that when gerbils are living with other gerbils of the same species, they tend to live healthier and longer lives. Solitary gerbils, on the other hand, can be overweight and unhealthy. You may be better off bringing two gerbils into your house if they are brought together.
2 Handling Your Gerbil
If you are buying a Gerbil as a gift for your child, always have a parent present to supervise the handling of this fragile animal. Keep your gerbil away from predatory animals like dogs, cats and ferrets. You should also never hold or grab a gerbil’s tail. This could result in serious injuries.
3 Gerbil Housing Options
Like most rodents, they are chewers. Your gerbils should not be housed in wood cages. The wire cage is also not ideal because the gerbils dig and could be injured by it.
A 20-gallon aquarium is a good choice for many gerbils. You can also choose the plastic homes available at most pet shops. Choose a tank that is not rounded, as gerbils love to curl themselves up at corners. As with other pets, the size of your gerbil’s tank is not too important.
4 Feeding Your Gerbils
Most gerbil owners will be satisfied with pre-mixed gerbil feed available at their local pet shop. You can also make your own gerbil food by mixing hamster feed with parrot feed. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also good for your gerbil, just don’t give it too much lettuce because that can lead to diarrhea. Hard-boiled eggs and sunflower seeds are also favorites, as well as cheese, nuts, and peanuts. However, these foods should be consumed in moderation due to their fat content.
5 Water Intake Needs
Gerbils in the wild get the majority of their water through food, however, store-bought food for gerbils is very dry. You should always ensure that your pet is able to access clean, fresh water. Gravity-fed drips are usually the best. Even if the water is still there, you should replace the water at least every week. However, changing the water daily is better.
6 Bedding care
Aspen shavings are the only type of wood that is safe to use for bedding. Other types such as cedar or pine can harm your pet. You should clean the bedding at least every week. If you have two or more gerbils, it is necessary to do so more frequently. Your gerbils will tend to use the toilet in the same place, making cleaning easier.
Replace the bedding in your gerbil cage with new bedding. Always leave some old bedding so that your gerbils can continue to use the same bathroom.
7 Washing the Cage
You will need to completely wash the gerbil cage twice a month. You will need to remove everything in the cage, and throw out all the litter. (Remember to save some old litter.) Use warm, soapy water and clean water to thoroughly wash the inside of the cage.
If you still smell soap after rinsing, use towels soaked in vinegar water to wipe it out. Otherwise, the soap could be dangerous to your dog. You can wipe out any soap smells with towels that have been soaked in vinegar. Before re-installing everything, make sure it is all completely dry.
8 Proper Toys
Avoid giving your gerbils toys that are made of plastic. They love to chew and the plastic can cause many problems. Stick to natural wood items like cardboard tubes and wooden planks.
9 Sleeping Schedules
Gerbils do not follow a regular sleeping pattern. Gerbils often spend an hour to two sleeping at a stretch, then wake up and sleep another hour. The cycle continues throughout the night and day. Gerbils raised in captivity tend to be more accustomed to the human sleep schedule.
10 Routine Veterinary Checkups
Gerbils need to be checked by their veterinarian regularly, just like other pets. The routine vet checks will keep your pet happy and healthy.