StoryBooks Pocket Pets

 

When you first bring home your little Gerbie, Please keep in mind how big you are and how little they are. Yes, they are adorable beyond words and your going to want to hold them right away. But!! Try not to hold them for the first 24hrs. This way you can examine them, make sure they do not have any sickness or parasites. You are also able to observe their personality. Are they eating and drinking ok? Have they been active enough to explore their new surroundings? Are they curious, as a healthy Gerbil should be?

 

  After the first couple of hours you may place your hand inside to let them sniff you. They may nip, yet this soft nip may only be them trying to figure out just what you are. They should NOT! draw blood.

 

After the first 24hrs is a good time to pick them up. Place your hand inside the tank and let them climb on you. Only than may you lift them with both hands to cradle them against your body. Do not chase the strange Gerbil till you have them. This will only frighten them more. DO NOT!! Pick them up by their tails. They will only release their tails much like a lizard would do. This is an escape route for the Gerbil in the wild. The only difference is a Gerbils tail will not grow back.

After you have them in both hands they will begin to circle and pop up and down in your hand as they look around. This is a good time to do what I call the ladder trick. Move your hands up and over each other so the Gerbil may climb to the next comfortably. They think they are going some place, yet really "lol" they are not.

 

Not all gerbils act the same. Some gerbils maybe a bit nervous about being handled. I had one gerbil that would thump while sitting in the palm of my hand. This means I'm a threat. Sometimes when you put them back in their cage they will thump. The males do it more I feel than the females. The only other time a gerbil will thump is when they are courting (I call it the dance) It's a much softer thump and if you have more then one gerbil, the others will not take notice "not thump"

A treat thump can get very loud and if you have more then one gerbil, they all will take part in thumping.

~If you have ever seen the movie *Lion King 1 1/2* the gerbs remind me of Timon the Merecat~

 

 Another gerbil I had seamed to play dead. I thought it was very funny to see this little guy lay on his back for several minutes as if he was stunned. Sometimes gerbils, especially young gerbils, will get over stimulated by accidents or unusual things (Like a new surrounding, to much first time handling). The animal may have what looks like an epileptic fit or will suddenly become completely still, almost as if the animal has died. Put the gerbil back in his cage and keep it warm. It will eventually come out of it in a minute or two. It looks scary, but it isn't as serious as it looks.

 

Everyday will be a new experience for the gerbils. Soon you will be able to let the gerbil crawl around on you, even to ride on your shoulder without a fear of them jumping off you. When you first bring your gerbil home, start with a ten minute handling session for a couple of weeks. Gradually increase the gerbils time out to play. If you pick a certain time lets say everyday after school, the gerbil will become accustom to the time of day and look for you and it's play time.

Play time with your gerbils will better your gerbil to be a happier healthy pet for many years to come.

 

 

Setting it all Up

 

Housing

 

I use ten gallon aquarium tanks. Ten gallons are perfect for a pair of gerbils. Keep in mind 5 gallons per gerbil. Metal tank tops are the best so your gerbil will not sit upon the water bottle and chew the plastic top. You can find the tops in the reptile section of a petco or some family pet stores.Walmart sells aquiriums for around $10 and I do believe some Walmarts are starting to stalk metal toppers.

 

Wire cages can be a bit messy as a gerbils natural instinct is to chew and dig. They will push the litter out of their cage and onto the floor for you to clean up. They may also rub the hair off their noses when chewing on the wire bars that will also keep you awake at night.

 

Plastic fun tube tanks are pretty and yes they look fun, but they are made from the wrong material. I think gerbils out of all the rodents have the most fun in them with all those colorful tubes. Yet... they will eventually chew through the plastic and off into your house they go. If you like that design, maybe they can have something like that for a play time toy and not to live in. Even during playtime you might want to watch them ;)

 

  

Feed Equipment

  

Food bowls should be of ceramic or stainless steal for easy cleaning. They will also not be chewed by the gerbs. Water bottles can be a bit tricky. Some report that their gerb has chewed the tops of the water bottles. Mine have never chewed their bottle. The best bottle for a gerbil is about 4oz. The holder should be of metal and able to hang comfortably in a 10-gallon aquarium. There are down falls to this just as there are to pretty much everything. Here you are trying to save your water bottles. The Metal holders can also hurt your critters that climb and sit on top. Their toenails or legs may get stuck in-between the metal and the bottle. I have never had this happen to me, but I have heard reports. There are also other methods to try if you're crafty. This site shows good examples to saving your water bottles.Water Bottles  

**Do not buy the glass water bottles that look like test tubes unless you have Pygmy Mice. It may be cheaper, But!…the gerbs chew the bottom and the glass always cracks and breaks when trying to open it..

 

 

Cleaning

  

Here at StoryBooks every Wednesday is tank cleaning day. Whether your tank is new or it's cleaning day you should whip up a batch of water and bleach. I take the cap from the bleach bottle and add to one gallon of water two of the caps full.  I scrape all the shavings out and than use a spray bottle with bleach for the first cleaning. Than I add some of the gallon and let it sit. Meanwhile all the gerbs from that tank are playing in the petting bin.

In the tub the tank goes and I make sure to wipe everything down. Even under that lip on top of the take where the lid would sit. I also wash the lids.

Rinse with warm water and whip clean with paper towels only to let air dry for that's when the bleach does it's magic and sanitizes.

** I do the same when I purchase a new tank. It's very wise to do so for you never know what you will be bringing home from the store.

Some sort of creepy crawly in the dust or something.

  

Next I add the litter and than any boxes I can get. I mostly add the soda can boxes since my husband works for Pepsi. I also add if I have them; cereal boxes, paper tubes and so on. I make little tunnels and connection houses. All the dishes have been soaking in a sink of bleach water dried and refilled with fresh foods. Bottles have also been soaked and filled with fresh water. The gerbs than go back in and now it's time to watch them have fun wondering what has happened to their house.

 

There are many toys and items on the market for the gerbs to play with. If your crafty with a skill saw you can make some pretty neat looking gerbie houses. Just use your imagination. The gerbils will love it no matter what =) Popcile stick houses "Elers glue is safe" For the bird/gerbil house use wooden dowels and not screws or nails.

 

 

 

 Chewing & Digging

 

Gerbils, like most other rodents, are avid chewers and will chew their way through cage furnishings somewhat regularly. It is important to provide appropriate chewing toys, like wood blocks and branches, to allow the gerbils to indulge this natural activity.

 

 

*Question- What can I give my gerbils that they will not chew?

 

*Answer*

There is nothing to give a gerbil in hopes they will not chew it. You also want to make sure you have things so your gerbils will chew to keep them healthy.

 

A Gerbils natural instinct is to chew and to dig. Chewing helps keep them busy and active and it helps keep their teeth in good shape. Without things to chew you face the fact that the gerbils teeth may over grow. Therefore resulting in more problems you could have prevented with just giving them something to chew. There are many things on the market and right at home that you can give your gerbil to chew on. If you're a crafty person here are some interesting fun things you can create to amuse yourself and the gerbs.

 

Birdhouses

 

You can make bird (Gerbie) Houses. No paint or stain please, but I've heard it's safe to use Elmers glue. You can lightly glue some pieces of the litter or paper towels to a small cockatiel breeding box and create a very cute little gerbil house =) Or, you can make your own gerbil box in any shape you want. Want an -A- frame? Two story split, or maybe even a little Swiss ski lodge? Mine have what we as a human family are living in. A log home. "Well 3/4 of a log home now" They ate the door and the corner of the west wing =)

 

Cubicles

 

Octagon, square, triangle, Pyramid ... what is your preference? You can make fancy shape holes in them for the gerbs to pop in and out of. Or you can use an old child's toy. You know the shapes and blocks.. Even better if you can find them in wood.

 

 

 

Other fun chews

 

How about a coconut shell? Gerbils absolutely love boxes, egg cartons, shoe boxes, cereal boxes, and paper tubes from wrapping paper or paper towels. They love to pop in and out of little child dollhouses, and barns.

**Make sure they have no little plastic pieces. This also should be more in the play bin rather than in their cage for they still will chew it. I would stick more with wood products for their main cage toys**

 

My daughter even has a Barbie swing and the gerbs love to go down the slide. My daughter thinks that is just great and so do the gerbs.

 

Wooden bird ladders the list goes on with imagination. Just please keep in mind your gerbils do need to chew and it's good for them to do so. Certain cages on the market are made more for the hamster than the gerbil. Such as the happy trails with all those colorful plastic tubes. Not that a hammie can't chew out for they most certainly can. I wish my gerbs could have a few, but they would end up escaping as they chew out those pretty tunnels. A glass aquarium is much safer for the gerbs. If you don't have the funds to get your gerbs some fancy fun stuff, even a piece of 2x4 block would be great for them. So long as they can chew they will be a lot happier and healthier in the end.

 

Hubby likes making Popcicle stick houses "Elmers glue is Safe"

Digging

 

 

Why does my gerbil constantly dig at the corners of its cage??

 

Well, Gerbils are burrowing animals. Meaning in the wilds they would burrow and make their homes under ground. That's one reason why building gerbil houses is a very important part of life to your domesticated gerbil pet.

Ever wonder why a gerbil will run in a wheel? I'm not sure what the instinct is that they have to run in a wheel.. After al there are none in the wild =)~ But just as they think they are going some place (*Ever see them stop to check things out?) You will also notice this behavior when the gerbil is digging in the corners.

Here again I could go back to housing for gerbils. Tanks make a better environment for the gerbils. It allows you to keep the litter inside the tank so that the gerbils may build it up and make tunnels. A wire cage and a digging gerbil may not agree with you when you have to clean up the mess on the floor.

 

Some things you can do to allow your gerbil to freely dig and build is to have a deep tank. A 30gal tall is awesome! Here you may create your own environment for a pair of gerbils. You would be able to fit a nice house, drift wood, a little sand area, care fresh litter for building materiel, Kaycob near the sand pit (sort of like a beach.) Or, whatever else you like =)

Again keep in mind this is an instincts for the gerbils.. They really don't want to make a mess =D The benifits to owning a big tank is endless and happy spoiled gerbs is so much fun!

 

  

Gerbil/Hamster Feed

 

 

There are many types of feeds out on the market. The most expensive is not always the best way to go! A pair of none breeding gerbils require at least 12% of protein. Breeding pairs require 15% or more.

 

So what types of feed is right for you and your gerbils?

 

What I mix

 

I have stopped asking people what is best and now I just do what I've been doing right along. I never knew the importance of controlling sunflower seeds till I joined the AGS. You have to also keep in mind though, that gerbils really do need the sunflower seeds so don't take them away entirely. The sunflower seeds are fattening yes, but keep them in limits.

The oils in sunflower seeds give a great shine to the gerbil’s coat. The sunflowers are also high in protein. Great for nursing or pregnant moms, as well as the pups.

If your not breeding your gerbils you may pick out the sunflower seeds and offer them to the gerbils as a friendly hand-taming treat. If you keep your gerbils well exercised in a gerbil ball, Wheel I wouldn't even bother picking out the seeds as long as they do not over power the feedbag.

 

A good feed has little sunflower seeds and corn. Remember corn is just filler. I do not have a pet store near my home so I'm forced to rely on my local Wal-mart. When I am able to travel I will hit the big pet stores to buy treats mostly. I'm very happy though with Hartz Bonanza (Gerbil/Hamster) at Walmart. The mix is at 14% protein. There are not a lot of sunflower seeds and corn.

 

Hartz Bonanza at 14% protein.

 

The ingredients:

 

Wheat

Milo

Oat Grouts

White Millet

Whole Corn

Sunflower Seeds

Yellow Split Peas

Soybean Meal

Flaked Wheat & Corn

Alfalfa Meal

Pinto Beans

Pumpkin Seeds

Raisins

Safflower Seeds

Dried Apple, Papaya

Vitamin A

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Vitamin B12

 

 

I do have a grain store. There I will buy extra's that I mix in with the Hartz Bonanza. Such as Oat grouts, Alfalfa pellets, Peanut Hearts (Just a wee bit!), Sassafras, Thistle, more White Millet (Good for pups) *** red millet is better, Hay, and whatever else they may have that day that interests me.

 

I will also toss in rodent blocks for extra chewing as well as high nutrition.

 

Since I have children =D most little snacks and treats here will also be shared with the gerbils. When I go shopping I will admit I think of the gerbils too. I try at least every week to give a treat of fresh veggie and fruit to the gerbs. No more than twice a week or your gerbil may end up with the runs.. Please discard any left over when used..

 

I will also buy raw oatmeal to add to the seed mix, UN-sweetened cereal like Kix, Cheerio's, Rice crispies, Puffed rice, Multi grain cheerio's are the best as well as unsweetened shredded wheat. You will have to break up the wheat cubes so that it mixes better. Try to stay away from corn and stick with whole grain. Lots of raw oatmeal for pregnant, nursing moms or pups learning to eat solid foods.

I also buy at the grocery store a packet that Sunmaid Raisins puts out.. It's called Tropical Blend. The pouch consists of all different kinds of dried fruits that the gerbs love.

 

Some Treats I give

 

I have listed favorites first.

**You don't have to follow this list. The possibilities are endless as long as you look at the simple things they can have. These are items from around the house. Not found in a pet store =) Or you can visit the health food section of your Market.

 

*Be sure to disgaurd ant left overs with fresh food before they spoil and make your pet sick.. 

 

 

 **Pumpkin or Squash Seeds, even Cucumber and Melon seeds are good

 

 

Raisins and other dried fruits

 

Air popped popcorn lightly salted

(a little salt is very good for critters)

 

Raw Pumpkin, Squash, peas, string beans, carrots, cucumber, zucchini.

(Stay away from Iceberg Lettuce & Celery *No nutritional value and causes diarrhea)

 

 

Apples, pears, cherries, grapes, melon.

(Stay away from Acidic Foods like oranges or tomatoes)

 

 

Cooked navy beans, lima beans, chic peas, Frozen (No canned it's poisonous!!) peas, string beans,

 

 

Small pieces of American cheese

(Good for nursing or expecting moms)

 

"Left over from child lunch" PB&J (The crust can stay on =)

 

Small pieces of fruitcake like banana bread or apple cake, or berry muffins

 

 Wheat, Oat, Crackers

Bread sticks w/sesame seeds

 

Pretzels

Cheese its

 

 Peanuts, nuts

(They love them, but they are high in fat so only as a once a week treat and only two small ones for one gerbil)

 

 

From the Garden

 

 

Believe it or not there are things outside during the spring and summer months that gerbils and other rodents love..

 

 

Clover

Dandelion Leaves

Cone Flowers

Marigold Flowers

Parsley/Herbs

Phlox

Pansy

 

 

 I also have bunnies so the gerbs/hamsters also get alfalfa cubes. I also buy Yogurt drops, bird millet and cuttle bones. It's good to give a cuddle bone once every other week. One cuttle bone cut in half is good for two tanks. I mix all the seeds and the seed mix together in it's own airtight container. Under some treats I give. I give the cakes, veggies, fruits once a week. Crackers, cereal, popcorn I give as small treats every day. I top their food dish every other day and I stir the old into the new blowing away any seed waste or litter that maybe there out. When tank cleaning day comes I bleach all dishes, water bottles, and tank. Fresh H20 daily. I do not use a vitamin supplement. I feel that my animals get plenty. Vitamins also cause mold and bacteria from the build up and it sitting in the bottle. You can use vitamins on expecting and nursing moms, but my babes get all the nutrition they require.

 

Other Feeds

 

Your in Luck if you have farm animals. Most any feed can also be blended into gerbil feed. Bunny pellets *** Warning on guinea pig food as it contains natural acid something guinea pigs need to survive, and should not be fed to rabbits***, Horse oats, groats, Cattle Sunshine plus, Trotter or charger. ***Warning*** If you raise Campbell hamsters, a lot of horse feeds consist of Molasses like Mare and Foal that will trigger poor health if you camps have diabetes. If you don't know they have diabetes, you will if fed the horse feed that consists high molasses/sugar content.

Mice and Rats love everything!!!! What do farmers complain about most??? Mice and rats eating their grain 

 

 

 Bedding

 This is really a touch and go situation. Some people like Aspen, Some like CareFresh. But most of us will agree that no! way EVER! Should Cedar Shavings be used on any small animal. Oh, I absolutely love the smell of Cedar! Yet my critters do not! The extra perfume in Cedar cause the pocket pets a horrible time with breathing. The oils in the perfumes also get into the animals coat, making them sick when they groom themselves. It irritates the eyes, glands, and even the digestive system. Some people would only use Aspen. Aspen is a more natural, clean shaving compared to the regular pine shaving... Like Cedar, Pine should also be avoided!. Aspen on the other hand is manufactured with all natural aspen shavings specially processed to eliminate dust and wood debris found in other bedding. Aspen bedding comes from hardwood, eliminating aromatic oils found in other types of wood bedding. Aspen can still be dusty though.. I don't think there is any litter out there that is not dusty. Other problems I've had with Aspen is my mice (Not One!) but all developed a skin allergy to it. One more reason why I don't like wood shavings of any kind.. Mites.. I live in fear of mites.. I thought I had them when my mice had a reaction to the Aspen.. Mites lay their eggs in wood. That's why if you have mites you are to remove all the wood products and place your animals on another non-wood bedding if possible. I have way to many little one's and I've put way to much work into them to have something happen.

 

Others use Kay-Cob. I don't like Kay-Cob and I have my experience with it and birds. Just like Rawhide is not good for dogs, Kay-cob works very similar to rawhide... How?? Well, when a dog chews rawhide it gets all slimy and it swells from the moisture. Kay-cob if you think about it is ground corn husks. When that also gets wet it will swell.. I've had parakeets die from the cob swelling in their crop. *Not a pretty sight if a hamster may store it in their cheeks =(

 

Care Fresh is another litter used by fanciers. I know there is other similar brands out there with a different name that act very much the same. This is for the Ever Clean/Fresh & Critter Care is made out of the same stuff paper towel tubes are made from. This litter is made of reclaimed cellulose fiber. It does not contain the inks, solvents, or dyes found in many recycled paper products. It is also softer and much more absorbent for larger animals like rabbits. The gerbils love to burrow and make nests in the soft litter. They will also take one little piece of the compact paper and stretch it making lots more bedding for nesting. Something they cannot do with wood shavings.

Again I don't really care for it, BUT! I've had better experience with CareFresh than I've had with any other litter. It doesn't absorb very well, but the gerbs can take one small piece and stretch it making it bigger for a nice soft bed. It also maybe an ugly color and have hardly a smell, But I find it to do its job. It also maybe a little bit more dusty.. (Not very good for Newborns) but there is also CareFresh Ultra. I mostly use this white litter on my light colored critters. It is a lot less dusty but Ooo the price "Eeeeek!"

 

I would say it's all a preference to the person. I would also strongly recommend to anyone reading this that they do NOT! Buy or put their little one's on Pine or Cedar shaving.. Stick to Aspen if you have to have Pine. Kaycob, CareFresh, Wood Pellets or whatever else.. Heck loads and loads of paper towel tubes each day for them to chew and make their own litter =D..Or get yourself a paper shredder. The gerbs have great fun with shredded paper.

~New Colorful Carefresh~

Warning..... The new carefresh colors of Pink, Blue, and so on, PLEASE do not buy this bedding... The color changes the lighter animals to that color and I'm not to sure about the dye.. White carefresh "Carefresh Ultra" Is ok, I guess?  but I've had a bad experience with that one and a show gerbil. My gerbils are not use to it but at show time it is recommended by the AGS to place show animals on white to view them better. Even though the white is hypoallergenic, my boy broke out with a runny nose for the hour spent in the show pen. He went on to the BIS table but didn't place I think because of it?? This is the first time I have had that happen to me with Ultra. The boy could have just had an allergy to it and I didn't know cause I use the brown. I still would stay clear from the new color litters.

 

Here are some links about Litter, and other Care Webpages

 

Litter boxes and Liver Disease    

 

The Toxicity of Pine and Cedar Shavings

 

 

AGS Hand Book

 

eRodent