Gerbil Info Here

[Petlover4]

Hi have any ?'s on How much Gerbils are...Care...Food...Cages......
Supplies........etc..just ask me!!

[spud13]

YAY!!!! I am so glad you put that up because it is exactly what I need! I've already asked a bunch of people about gerbils but I think it is good to have many sources of info. OK, I can play with a gerbil alot because I am homeschooled so do I still have to get two? My Dad will get really angry if I end up with baby gerbils and he said I couldn't get two because he's afraid I would think they were both girls and one would actually be a boy. That said, how do you tell one sex from the other (other than obvious reasons but when they are small how can you be totally sure)? Also could I put a gerbil in my old guinea pig's page? Last but definitely not least, can I buy one or two from petsmart? I don't know any breeders.
THANKYOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Petlover4]

Yeah you can only buy one i did and i got mine at petsmart!!!and if your old guineapis cage doesnt have any big holes in it because it can get out plu they can squeeze through smalls spaces so be careful........if i forgot anything let me know
GOOD LUCK!!!:D :D

[soltanifamily]

Sorry to rain on your parade, but gerbils should have companionship. To keep only one gerbil is somewhat cruel to the gerbil because they are such social creatures.

To learn how to sex gerbils, Spud, please visit the National Gerbil Society website, www.rodent.demon.co.uk, and click on the
"Sexing Gerbils" tab. There, you will learn to accurately distinguish between male and female gerbils and you won't have to worry about becoming an accidental breeder.

If the option exists where you live, may I suggest that you get a 'home-raised' gerbil instead of the petstore animal? Home-raised gerbils are more social, much more used to people and far less likely to have mites, fleas or intestinal problems. To find a gerbil breeder, hit the American Gerbil Society website at www.agsgerbils.org and click on the "Breeders" page and the state in which you live.

Gerbils are wonderful creatures and so much fun...I know, I have 22 baby gerbils (pups) and six parents, all of whom I adore. You won't regret have a pair yourself! :)

[soltanifamily]

The ideal home for gerbils is, believe it or not, a fishtank. For two gerbils, a ten gallon tank with a mesh and/or "reptile" lid is sufficient. If you want to be generous and give your gerbs more room to play and run, a 20 gallon long tank with matching lid is ideal!

In the tank, you should provide 3 to 4 inches of cob, aspen or Carefresh bedding (NEVER pine or cedar shavings as they can create respiratory problems for the gerbs). Give your gerbies a little house in which to sleep, a water bottle, a gerbil- safe wheel if they're wheel lovers and some small animal-safe wooden chews or blocks. Another great thing is a bird cuttlebone. The cuttlebone is rich in calcium and it, along with the wooden chew or blocks, makes for gnawing (gerbils nails and teeth continue to grow throughout their lives and must be kept trim).

As treats, I give my gerbils safflower seeds (less fattening than sunflower seeds), Timothy hay and halved grapes. :) Good luck and please do let us know how your gerbil search turns out.

[spud13]

I will definitely let you know how it went. I can't get gerbils untill september because I am going on vacation next wednesday for all of August. I think I have an old fish tank in my basement so I will see about that. I have a question though. I went to that website you suggested and it said that there are no gerbil breeders in Dover, Delaware. I don't want my gerbils to have health problems so I'm not too keen on going to petsmart since you said it's more likely the poor thing'll be so sick. I forgot my other question (good greif I am such a spaz) but I'll post it later. You have been so helpfull I don't know how to thank you! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[soltanifamily]

Hi again Spud13,

Not all pet stores have unhealthy gerbils. I shouldn't have made such a broad statement. You, as the buyer, though should be aware of the possibilities and know what to look for. You want active gerbils with bright eyes and healthy appearances. You should be able to put your hand in the tank and the gerbils, ideally, should come over and check you out without fear. They'll be shy, of course, but they shouldn't go tearing off to the other side of the cage in fright. They should have shining fur and and dry bums (diarrhea is an indication of problems). If you have an opportunity to check their fur, look for fleas or tiny red bugs (mites). If your gerbil passes these checks, you should be fine! :)

There was breeder named Dani (The Dani Clan) in Delaware, but I think she's moved to N.J. I'll send a little note to the other breeders in the area and see if any of them are hitting Delaware in September...we might be able to hook you up with home-raised gerbils.

It's my pleasure to help and you're very, very, very welcome! Many regards, Dana

[Petlover4]

Sorry i thought this was my ad and my gerbil was not sick from petsmart and why trust a breeder ever heard of a puppy mill and yes they can live a lone if she plays with him all the time....ever heard of a widow

[spud13]

Okay here is what I am going to do:
when I get back from vacation I am going to petsmart and I am going to see if they have two healthy, sweet gerbils. I will use my old fishtank. I can't go see your breeder friends because of inernet safety reasons my parents won't permit me. thankyou both for your help!:D

[soltanifamily]

Hello again Spud,

Good luck with your gerbil purchases and I'm glad I could help. (P.S. I can completely understand your parents opinions...I have two children of my own). The nice thing about the Petsmart chain (at least in my area and as opposed to Petco) is that they sell only one gender of gerbil. For example, the Greenbelt, Maryland Petsmart only sells males while the Annapolis, Maryland store only carries females. This, too, should reassure your father about becoming an accidental breeder if the same is true of the Delaware stores.

Enjoy your vacation and your future gerbil family members! Warm regards, Dana

[soltanifamily]

"sorry thought this was my ad and my gerbil was not sick from petsmart and why trust a breeder ever heard of a puppy mill and yes they can live a lone if she plays with him all the time...ever heard of a widow."

I'm sorry to have intruded upon your ad, but for the benefit of Spud13's gerbils and anyone else who happens to read your statements, I thought it prudent to respond to the post.

Yes, gerbils can and sometimes do live alone. There are infrequent cases of particularly aggressive gerbils who do not get along well with others and must reside alone. Yes, there are cases where, unfortunately, a death occurs, but it is recommended that the surviving gerbil be paired with a pup for companionship.

Yes, there are puppy mills and I'm sure, gerbil mills, as well. I, however, have three happy and healthy breeding pairs whose pups are given to good homes. I do not accept just anyone as an owner of my offspring, but in fact, talk to the people who adopt from me. I've turned away a number of questionable folks who were interested in my gerbils for one reason or another.

I, in my extensive reading and smaller personal experience, have never seen anything endorse the idea of gerbils not having companionship except in aggression cases. Because many of us in this forum are employees, parents or students, we don't have 24 hours a day to interact with our pets. We have to work, spend time with the family, go to school and so forth. While we're doing what it takes to survive, our gerbils are left alone if they don't have a partner. Unlike a dog, it can't jump in bed with you and snuggle up for company. (Though I love my Jack Russell dearly, I don't enjoy waking up to doggy breath). :)

Again, I apologize if I offended you; it wasn't my intention.

[Petlover4]

not me right cause i had ONE and it was fine

[BlueSandpiper]

I have only 1 gerbil and he's perfectly ok. I play with my gerbil often so he doesn't get lonely. He didn't get along with other gerbils when he was young so that's why I don't have another gerbil. Gerbils should be kept in same sex pairs but there's always the one exception.

For more info about gerbils, check out the American Gerbil Society http://www.agsgerbils.org/

There's a better gerbil board to ask questions on (http://pub103.ezboard.com/bsmallandfurries) There are gerbil breeders on this board as well as regular gerbil owners who want to learn more about gerbils. This board is ok but tends to be a bit slow. And the pop up ads here are really annoying:devil: