Perfect For Hot Gerbils.

[SpunkyMunky]

I have two things that I do to make my gerbils cooler.

You can take a small ice pack and put it under the small space under your aquarium right where they sleep. They will spral their whole bodies on the area, and I figure its a good way to keep them cool.

You can also get some rocks from outside (not too big) and put them in your sink or bathtub with javel in the water. Use cold water and soak the rocks for about 2 hours. Then empty the water. Rise the rocks, and fill the tub/sink with water again and let the rocks soak for about 30minutes, then just squirt some soap on them. Wait another hour. Empty the water, wash the rocks with a sponge and soap, then soak them in hot water for an hour. Then empty the water. Rinse the rocks, then soak them in cold water while rinsing them. Put them in the over at 450 and wait 30 minutes. Take them out and let them cool down for a while. Then put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Then take the rocks and put them in the cage! Voila! a nice and refresing rock for them to run about on. If you want to save the trouble you can just buy rocks from the pet-store and put them in the freezer. :goodvibes :D :cool:

[kimsgerbils]

Why do you have to wash it so many times?? I have given my gerbils rocks and I just wash them with really hot water/soap then rinse them well, let them dry and then I'm done.

[SpunkyMunky]

I want to make sure they are clean and dont have germs on them, so I put javel. And knowing my gerbils they will try to chew on the rocks, so I wanted to make sure that the javel was out.

[kimsgerbils]

What is javel? I just use some diluted bleach and really hot water then rinse super well.

[SpunkyMunky]

Yeah its the same thing.

[BrandyJo]

Because of the kind of surface rocks have, they really don't carry germs like a lot of other surfaces do.... and really, just washing them once with hot water and soap should be sufficient.... But all the washing, plus baking and freezing them is a bit excessive..... If you think it's necessary, by all means, continue to do so :) But it seems unnecesary to me.

I had a thread about how to keep gerbils cool just a few days ago. Most people suggest putting any type of glass (jars, plates, ceramic tiles, etc...) in the fridge and giving them to the gerbils.

[SpunkyMunky]

Well my gerbils love the rocks a lot. Ill try putting some of their stuff in the freezer. I just read your post and I found a few things to cool down their aquariums. Ill try some of them today.

[kimsgerbils]

Where I am, it never gets over 95* (F) and rarely gets above high 80's. Plus my gerbils are all in our basement so none of them overheat. I just gave them rocks (some of them) so that they have a different terrain in their playpens.

[Cornflakes4ever]

Lucky! Its get really hot here, I'd hate to live in Florida, or Mexico. I hate the heat.

[kimsgerbils]

I'm not a big fan of the heat either. Or mosquitos.... I hate mosquitos (and wasps/hornets).

[EAGerbils]

I will have to try the idea with the rocks, thanks for sharing! It's been up to 92 degrees here even with the ceiling fan blowing. I've been feeding them some frozen veggies, but that doesn't cool them down for long.
The basement has crossed my mind, too, but unfortunately it's very dark and moist in mine, so I would have to worry about mildew in the bedding. Maybe I should get a dehumidifier?!

Britta
Gerbil Haven

[Jiffykat]

Dehumidifiers are a goog thing.