Gerbil Advice Needed

SinNyx · 07-03-2015, 06:35 AM

I've taken in a male gerbil today. He's around a year and a half, according to his previous owners. Unfortunately they were let down by the person wanting him, and were leaving the country today, so I've taken him on (not something I usually do, considering my hamster rescue!).

It's been a couple of years since I had a gerbil, and I don't know an awful lot about them.

This gerbil arrived in a Duna Multly, and I soaked the spare tank I had, and he's now in that instead (it's similar to a Critters Choice).

I've put all wooden/cardboard toys and chews into his tank. At the moment he has shavings, tissue bedding, and some other wooden stuff making up the burrowing layer for him.

His owners gave me Wagg food for him, which I've put in his bowl for now as I'm not sure what is a good gerbil brand, and what isn't.

I'm hoping that I will be able to find him a more experienced home than me, but for now, he's safe here.

Any advice/tips welcome.

dracolikesfure · 07-03-2015, 07:49 AM

Hello, welcome back to the wonderful world of gerbils!
I am no expert, but I would highly suggest joining a gerbil forum where there are some. I don't know if he is too old, but if not my one piece of advice would be to get him a friend. I had a single gerbil for a while and I saw a huge change in her when I adopted my second gerbil!

fluffydd · 07-03-2015, 08:13 AM

It's great that you were able to take him in. It's sounds like you've set up his tank nicely. The deepest wood shavings you can give him the better as they love to dig. I feed mine gerri gerbil with a few extras added. And they love fresh food - broccoli especially. If you've got any questions I'm happy to answer. I'm not an expert but I've been keeping gerbil for a few years now.

racinghamster · 07-03-2015, 08:31 AM

How lovely that he`s came to you SinNyx. The tank will be good and deep shavings, ripped up toilet paper or paper nesting, a wee handful of hay to nibble on if you have any but not essential and as Fluffydd suggested, The Burgess gerbil muesli is good and Gerri gerbil food. I`m sure he would love a wee mixture.

Gerbils are great fun and he will be happy digging about! Hand a water bottle for him from the tank using a bottle hanger, or something home-made. Wire bird peanut feeders can be made into bottle hangers, although you may have one spare already.

Toilet roll and kitchen roll tubes a plenty! They love to chew these up and cardboard food/egg boxes too!

I kept gerbils for about ten years. x

ETA: A few photos would be nice?! x

SinNyx · 07-03-2015, 09:04 AM

Of course, will add in some hay for him

Looks like a trip to the pet shop is necessary to get him new food.

And of course, pictures...will get better pictures when he is more settled. At the moment, any sudden noises or movements and he hides away.

BrainGirl · 07-03-2015, 09:31 AM

He's a beauty! They love to dig and they love to chew. I'm surprised the plastic cage he was in hadn't been chewed to bits. Basically every cardboard tube and box you can throw in there will be devoured with glee

At his age I wouldn't get him a friend. Gerbils need careful introductions and it won't necessarily work out so you might end up with 2 gerbil cages rather than 1.

You can give him a sand bath as well. I used to just use a tipped over candy jar with play sand

SinNyx · 07-03-2015, 09:38 AM

I don't think I want to risk an introduction, as said above, I may end up with two tanks and I don't necessarily have the space. As long as he is happy and content, I am.

The glass shelf in his cage is full of sand, though for now, he's just using it as a toilet (no complaints from me!).

I am glad that I got him, but it seems that one household member isn't too happy...given the fact he has a tail, and is 'so big'....oh dear!

I've added cardboard tubes in, some as tunnels under the bedding, others just on top and he's devoured a fun ball already. Never mind, I'll just have to try something else to keep him entertained.

What about wheels? I never used one with my previous gerbil, and I've seen some people use them, some don't.

BrainGirl · 07-03-2015, 10:31 AM

If you get a wheel, make sure it's solid just like for hamsters but even bigger to allow for his tail. If his tail has to curve up and over his back it can be harmful. It is an extension of his spine after all! Also make sure to get one that's open at the front and without a crossbar since I have heard of gerbils amputating either a head or a tail trying to exit a spinning wheel at high speed. Best to avoid plastic altogether because they will chew it and like chinchillas may suffer from a gut obstruction as a result. Gerbils usually like wheels but they're not absolutely necessary. Digging and chewing seem to be the chief pursuits in a gerbils life

Pebbles82 · 07-03-2015, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinNyx

I don't think I want to risk an introduction, as said above, I may end up with two tanks and I don't necessarily have the space. As long as he is happy and content, I am.

The glass shelf in his cage is full of sand, though for now, he's just using it as a toilet (no complaints from me!).

I am glad that I got him, but it seems that one household member isn't too happy...given the fact he has a tail, and is 'so big'....oh dear!

I've added cardboard tubes in, some as tunnels under the bedding, others just on top and he's devoured a fun ball already. Never mind, I'll just have to try something else to keep him entertained.

What about wheels? I never used one with my previous gerbil, and I've seen some people use them, some don't.

Lol! Do they think he's a rat

Here's some gerbil info - tank is just like yours. At the bottom of the page is a link to safe wheels (it mentions adapted wire wheels as well). The link just shows the Silent Spinner and the flying saucer, so sounds like any solid wheel would be ok as long as it's big enough.

I'm sure he'd be ok without one for a bit though if he didn't have one before.

http://littlepawssar.weebly.com/gerbil-housing.html

In the seventies they used to say don't give Gerbils wheels or they run till they have a heart attack - thinking must have changed!

racinghamster · 07-04-2015, 12:44 AM

Aw, he`s lovely.

He looks very happy already digging away in there! I never bothered with a wheel for any of my gerbils because they can be a nightmare to keep upright in a tank where substrate is deep and uneven. My boys never bothered with a wheel even when I gave them one during playtimes. Gerbils are burrowers, diggers and chewers!

I also agree that doing introductions can be hit or miss and the adult male really needs to be laid back and if you don`t know what his character is regarding other male gerbils, it`s better to keep him alone and let him have plenty of attention when he`s awake and have his own space. Any new owner should respect this too and keep his environment much the same. Glass tank, deep substrate, chewing media and gerbil cuddles! Well....if he will sit still long enough! x