Gerbil top tips











Tip 1- Don't pick up your gerbil by the tail.
In the wild gerbils are prey animals, so, if you pick them up by the tail it will fall off as a defence mechanism.
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Tip 2- Think adoption first
A way not to support rodent mills and help animals in need.
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Tip 3- Do your research first
Get information from many different sources, as one alone cannot give you all the information you need.
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Tip 4- Hay ball
A great way to give your gerbils enrichment, but you can but what ever you want inside it.
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Tip 5- Having a fruit and veg routine
Fruit and veg is very important in your gerbils diet. As it gives them important nutrients and also, helps with variation in their diet.
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Tip 6- Kabob sticks
Great enrichment for your gerbils, as they work hard to get the food off, helping to recreate natural wild behaviours.
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Tip 7- Providing hay
If you don't have a hay ball you can provide hay every 2 to 3 days as it is great nesting material for them plus, they can chew on it. And hay is a cheap option. But I recommend using Timothy Hay.
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Tip 8- Using treats while taming
During taming your gerbils get used to being handle, by placing a treat in your hand while allows to slowly build up the trust to walk in your hand.
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Tip 9- Hot weather
In Summer months it can be hot so, you can use a fan, cooling mat or/and place their water, sand and toys in the fridges. As if they over heat they can get heat stroke.
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Tip 10- Health check
Once a week conduct a heart check. This includes checking their weight, coats, behaviour changes (this one can be done daily), staining on tummy and nails.
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Tip 11- Millet
Feeding millet to your gerbils at least once a week is great for foraging as, well as, their coat and it contain protein.
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Tip 12- Gerbils are dairy intolerant
Your gerbil can't have any products with diary of more than 4% but would recommend avoid dairy completely.
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Tip 13- Deep base
Gerbils need a deep base for borrowing so you will need a base of 25cm or more.
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Tip 14- Gerbil sleeping patterns
Gerbils don't have a sleeping pattern they nap throughout the day and night and get up for a few hours at a time. So you will seeing them day and night.
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Tip 15- Having a vet fund
Your gerbil can get unwell so, it is important your have the money aside to pay they vet bills.
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Tip 16- Whimzee chews
They are great for them to chew on and last longer than most other chews.
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Tip 17- Sand
Sand baths are great for your gerbils. Safe sand are Beaphar, reptile sand (without calcium), and children play sand once baked for 20 minutes.
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Tip 18- Clip on food bowls.
It stop gerbils from hiding their food bowl
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Tip 19- Willow sticks
Cheap chews, plus can make treat sticks from them.
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Tip 20- Jam jars
Cheap toy you can buy or use one from your kitchen
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Tip 21-Wooden based chews over cardboard based
Cardboard based chews maybe cheaper but they don't last long even thou they are cheaper. Spending money on thicker wooden based toys will last longer.
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Tip 22- Hides
Its is important to have multiple hides as, they are prey animals so, can get scared. As well as, allows your gerbils to get space away from each other.
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Tip 23- Boxes
You can give your gerbils delivery boxed or kitchen boxed or any boxes that items come in that you don't want as, they will use them as a chew toy and it's a great way to recycle.
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Tip 24- egg boxed
Giving your gerbil egg boxed will last 2 to 3 days.
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Tip 25- Homemade treats
You can make treats at home for your gerbils cheaply as well as, you can make then healthy as you know what is in them.
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Tip 26- Handling gloves
Gloves are a great way for you and your gerbil to get comfortable with handling as well as, bites don't hurt as much.
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Tip 27- Water bottles
In an enclose try to have more than one water bottle, so, your gerbil can have a drink at the same time.
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Tip 28- Routine
Having a routine can help your gerbil know what is going on and can be less stressful for them.
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Tip 29-Baby food
Baby found is organic and can be given to your gerbils as treat or as fruit and veg.
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Tip 30- Disinfectant
A cheap disinfectant is using 50% vinegar and 50% water.