Gerbils are friendly, sociable, and inquisitive animals, all of which have made them such a popular pet breed. Although not as expensive as cats or dogs, gebils still need daily attention and care. Most importantly, you will need to provide a suitable habitat for your gerbil to dig a hole, as is common in the wild.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Buying Gerbils
Step 1. Choose a good cultivator
The best option when you are planning to buy a gerbil is to buy it from a gerbil cultivator. Because of the large number of animals sold in pet stores, pet store managers or staff may find it difficult to check the sex of gerbils and the relationship between gerbils and gerbils. This can actually be a problem because the gerbil is a sociable animal but, on the other hand, is so protective of its territory that it requires well-planned interactions. Gerbil farmers are more likely to know the sex of the gerbils and the relationship between the gerbils being farmed (eg the proximity of one gerbil to another, and the blood relationship between gerbils).
- The cultivator can give you permission to see the mother of the gerbil you choose. Ask the breeder to show you the mother of your chosen gerbil and check to see if her personality and health match what you want. Often the parent gerbil characters are passed on to their offspring.
- Ask questions about the mother and her offspring. Ask if the gerbils were born healthy, the percentage of gerbils that died, how original the offspring were (eg not the result of interbreeding), and how the parents interacted with other gerbils.
Step 2. Look for a healthy, friendly gerbil
Gerbils, even healthy gerbils, may only live for two to four years. Therefore, you need to be on the lookout for signs that your chosen gerbil is sick. There are also some clues that indicate whether the gerbil has a friendly disposition or not.
- For a healthy gerbil, check to see if it has a tail as long as its body length, a body covered with fur (no bald spots), clear, large, shining eyes, and a fat, sturdy body. Cloudy eyes, a red or bloody nose, and lethargic movements indicate that the gerbil is sick.
- The signs that a gerbil has a friendly disposition are more or less what you can imagine. The gerbil will approach the cage wall and seek your attention. Young gerbils sometimes bite with their mouths as a way of recognizing their surroundings, and this is normal. However, the bite will not hurt. If a gerbil bites you hard, it may not like social interactions with humans.
Step 3. Buy some gerbils
Basically, gerbils are social animals and will feel depressed and lethargic if left alone. You should always buy at least two or more gerbils. For beginners, usually the recommended number of gerbils to keep is two gerbils of the same sex. If your gerbils give birth, the maintenance process will be more complicated and can be more expensive.
Identification of the sex of a gerbil can sometimes be difficult. To check, you will need to turn the gerbil over (the gerbil is lying on its back) and place it in your hand. For female gerbils, at three weeks of age there is a shorter distance between the urinary and anal openings. Meanwhile, for male gerbils, at the age of five to seven weeks, the testes will appear clearly visible (this certainly makes the process of gender identification easier). A professional can assist you in this identification process, however-depending on the gerbil dealer-the owner or seller of the gerbil doesn't always have in-depth knowledge of gerbil background to serve as a guide
Step 4. Find gerbils who like each other
This may be difficult if the seller of the gerbil does not have sufficient knowledge of the interactions of the gerbils being sold. If possible, buy gerbils that are both born to the same mother and are both around six to eight weeks old. This age is the optimal time to build relationships between one gerbil and another. If this is not possible, you can introduce both gerbils using the insulated cage method.
- To introduce two gerbils who don't know each other yet, buy an aquarium screen. Place a bulkhead in the center of the cage and slide each gerbil on a different side. Move each gerbil to a different side several times a day so that each gerbil gets used to the other's smell.
- After a week has passed, lift the tank screen and take a close look at your gerbils. While it's normal for the two gerbils to hit each other a little, if the gerbils jump or roll over and fight, it's a sign that the gerbils are aggressive and need to be separated immediately. On the other hand, if the gerbils want to sleep together, this means that they are already familiar with each other.
- If this introduction process fails, repeat the process three times. If the introduction process still doesn't produce the desired results, chances are the two gerbils will never get along with each other.
- Never introduce a pair of gerbils with a new gerbil (third gerbil). The pair of gerbils will join forces to oppress the third gerbil.
Step 5. Buy a gerbil cage
The best cage for a gerbil is a large glass aquarium. For two gerbils, a 40 liter glass aquarium is sufficient. For each gerbil you add, you'll need to leave an additional 19 to 20 liters of space. Fill one third of the tank with cage material (eg Megazorb, Finacard, Carefresh or Bedexcel) that will allow the gerbil to dig. It's also important to provide enough room to dig to keep your gerbil active and entertained.
- Do not use wood shavings as bedding, as wood shavings-especially pine and cedar-can cause serious breathing problems in gerbils.
- You will need a cover or roof of the cage to protect the gerbil. The best choices for a cage cover that can be used are nets or fine gauze, which can be purchased at pet stores. Its use is optimal because you can also hang items in the gaps of the net or screen, including gerbil wheels and water bottles.
- Avoid using a barred cage as the gerbil's feet can easily get caught in the gaps in the bars. You'll also want to avoid barred items you want to put in the cage, including gerbil toy wheels.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Gerbils
Step 1. Feed your gerbil properly
The first step to maintaining a gerbil's health is to provide it with a healthy diet. Just like us as humans, gerbils also need a balanced diet consisting of vegetables, protein, fat, and vitamins. The main diet is gerbil food products which are widely produced and sold in pet shops because these products are specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of gerbils. However, these food products can be supplemented with regular snacks. Try to spread food for the gerbil around the cage.
- Start by giving your gerbil pellets or grain mixes, which are commonly sold in pet stores.
- Gerbils love seeds, but you should never give your gerbil too many sunflower seeds as this can lead to obesity. It would be better if you replace sunflower seeds with pumpkin seeds.
- Complete his nutritional needs by providing fresh and healthy vegetables and fruits, including pears, melons, apples, oranges, cucumbers, carrots, pumpkins, and fennel. Meanwhile, some types of vegetables and fruits such as rhubard (a type of taro) and grapes are toxic to gerbils. Dried green grass or hay is also a healthy and popular snack for gerbils. You can buy it from a pet store.
- You don't need a food bowl for a gerbil. It would be better (and easier) for you to simply spread the gerbil's food around his cage to stimulate his natural foraging instinct. It can also prevent fights with other gerbils.
Step 2. Complete the cage with water bottles
Use a water bottle with a metal straw. It's best to use a clear plastic bottle so you can easily find out how much water is left. Hang bottles on netting or gauze caps, or on the bars of the cage roof. Clean the straw regularly and refill the bottle frequently so that the gerbil always has an adequate supply of drinking water.
Step 3. Make a bed for the gerbil
A simple wooden crib can be an ideal nest for gerbils. You can buy crib products like this at pet stores. To complete it, tear the toilet paper into small pieces and put it in the wooden box.
Step 4. Clean the cage regularly
You will need to inspect the cage daily and remove any uneaten food debris. If there are no leftovers, your gerbil's cage is relatively clean. Apart from getting rid of leftover food, you also need to change the bottom of the cage, but not more than once a week.
Part 3 of 3: Enriching Gerbil's Life
Step 1. Encourage the gerbil to play and exercise
Exercise is also an important aspect of animal health. Fortunately, gerbils are naturally active animals. Ample space and a cage to dig in are the most important requirements for a gerbil. Other items can also support its activities.
- A toy wheel (with closed footing) can be a great exercise tool for a gerbil. Avoid using gerbil wheels with spoked steps, as this can cause the gerbil's legs or tail to get caught, resulting in injury to the gerbil. Also, make sure you hang the gerbil wheel on the top cover of the cage (mount it on the roof rails) to save space.
- You can also give your gerbil a wooden chew toy from the pet store as entertainment.
- Gerbil balls can also be a great choice so your gerbil can explore a wider area while still exercising.
- Gerbils also love cardboard. A cost-effective way to provide entertainment for a gerbil is to provide a cardboard tube of toilet paper that is no longer in use.
Step 2. Familiarize yourself slowly
When you first buy a gerbil, chances are your gerbil will be too surprised by his new surroundings to be friendly. Do not immediately try to take it in the first few days. However, you can begin to build positive associations with your gerbil by giving them seeds directly (by hand).
Step 3. Handle your gerbil with care
You'll need to hold it frequently to get your gerbil used to interacting with humans. Gerbils need to get daily social interactions to stay happy. However, you still need to be careful. Wash your hands before handling the gerbil. Use both hands to make a kind of large 'spoon' or 'bowl' when picking up the gerbil for support. Place your hand near the gerbil so it will climb onto your hand.
Don't stand directly on it. Gerbil associates the shadow that looms over him with his predator so that he will feel anxious
Step 4. Don't lift the gerbil by its tail as this could break off the tail
If you absolutely must lift the gerbil by the tail, do so carefully while holding the body slightly. This will reduce the risk of the gerbil's tail breaking off and then running away. You should try to lift the gerbil's body and then hold it gently. You can also take your gerbil to the bathroom and invite her to play in the tub. This is a great way to get to know your gerbil's personality and character as well as get him or her more acquainted with your scent and movements.
Step 5. Don't mate the gerbil
A pair of gerbils can produce about ninety-six gerbil puppies each year. These gerbil pups will then produce more gerbil pups. You need to make sure that the gerbils you are keeping are of the same sex, unless you are experienced enough in keeping gerbils. Otherwise, sooner or later you will have to care for a large number of gerbils.
However, if you decide to mate a gerbil, don't separate the male gerbil and then put him back in the same cage as the female. Female gerbils will attack male gerbils to protect their young from "foreign animals". Male gerbils can play the role of fathers, but as soon as the cubs are born, the adult gerbils will mate again and over time can make the female gerbil sick
Tips
- Make sure you change your gerbil's water every day to prevent bacterial growth.
- Do not purchase bedding or downy nesting material as these can suffocate the gerbil and, if ingested, can clog the digestive tract and kill it.
- Make sure you have a large enough tank for your gerbil to run around freely.
- Do not use cedar shavings as bedding, as they produce noxious fumes that can kill gerbils.
- While you can give your gerbil things to chew on, make sure they aren't stained, painted, polished, etc., as there may be toxic substances in paint, dye, or varnish products.
- Try buying a few pieces or small logs to put in the cage. Some of the right choices, among which are, pieces of logs and wooden beams with holes. Try giving your gerbil a variety of toys to interact with in his cage. The various textures, sizes, and shapes of wood can keep gerbils entertained and entertain those who see them too. You also need to be careful and thorough when choosing the items you want to put in the cage. Also, understand that gerbils can chew on anything, so make sure you don't put glass or metal items in there that you're likely to bite and break. Do not also buy products or goods made from wood that have been coated with chemicals or are easily damaged.
- Make sure your gerbil gets some free air at least once a month.
- If you want, you can put some small wooden blocks in the gerbil's cage.
Warning
- Cages with modular systems (eg Rotastak and Habit-rail cage products) are not suitable for gerbils, including hamster cages. Gerbils need to find space in order to dig and tunnel.
- Gerbils sometimes punch each other or wrestle with each other as a form of entertainment. However, sometimes such boxing gets worse. If a gerbil is bleeding, you need to separate the two gerbils immediately. Use gloves to protect your hands. Don't keep them apart for more than a day (or even longer), unless you intend to actually separate them permanently. After a day, each of the gerbils will lose their memory of each other's smells and become no longer familiar.
