This may mean you have to remove certain things from their gerbilarium. So, at this time you will notice the babies trying to gnaw on their parents’ gerbil mix. For tips on adding other accessories, like wooden platforms, read on! References. Adding Accessories Install a water bottle in the aquarium. What follows should give you everything you need to know to set up a great cage for your gerbils, without making any easily avoidable mistakes that will make you or your pets unhappy. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Hi everyone, so I've been seeing everyone's tanks for their mice and wished that my gerbil tank looked nicer. This is untrue for gerbils. Supplies and Setup . If you have three to four gerbils, then use a 15 to 20-gallon (57 to 76-liter) cage. You should also be careful when handling pups soon after they open their eyes. Week three is when your baby gerbils will start to open their eyes. If you have urine guard on your … Over time, it becomes more and more underfed. The ideal solid food is gerbil food mix, like Supreme Gerri brand. Gerbil Welfare is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. % of people told us that this article helped them. So, if you’ve woken up one morning to a litter of unexpected gerbil pups, you’re not alone. Parasites are caught in one of two ways. Encourage them by putting more mix than usual. A substrate keeps the enclosure clean, and allows the gerbils to burrow. I'm thinking about drawing and coloring some paper to tape to the outside, just to be a little more … Instead, sprinkle it evenly over the entire gerbilarium. That’s because adults are big and strong enough to fight the infection off. In the first week, all the pups will huddle together with their mother to keep warm. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Baby gerbils (pups) are easy to care for. Baby gerbils are tiny. If you notice the babies interacting, don’t worry. Babies are cared for by both their father and mother. I'd like to decorate on a theme, but I don't have any money to spend of my own and my parents don't want to spend any more money on my pets. They need to because at first, pups don’t have a coat. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It also prevents parasites. All gerbils are foragers, meaning that they enjoy digging for food. This is the perfect time for pups to injure themselves, because they start moving around, but still can’t see. But never remove gerbils from their mother before they’re ready to live independently. That means that a small gerbil will grow slower than its larger counterparts. Well I thought I'd share what I most often do when it's time for cleaning and redoing Mizzy and Moosey's tank. Weaning is a gradual process, not something that occurs immediately. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. When your gerbil cage is free of accessories and substrate you should wash the entire inside and outside of the cage with luke-warm water and a sponge. Purchase a rabbit litter box. However, you may wish to provide a separate gerbilarium with access to your existing one. Only manually move the gerbils from their first home if they are constantly fighting, both with their parents and with one another. Your baby gerbil’s coat will grow in by ten days. You can find wooden nesting boxes at your local pet supply store. They affect gerbils in the same way as they affect people. You have to prevent them from getting respiratory infections. Although plastic cages are popular, they are not gerbil-proof. This way your gerbil will have access to fresh, clean water every day. With food in one specific place. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. 2. digging area. So, you might be wondering whether it’s safe to feed gerbils apple. It becomes comfortable being picked up off the ground, It becomes comfortable with the smell of people, The mother’s bond of trust with you will be strengthened. The benefits of handling a gerbil baby include: Be careful when you handle the pups. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 32,058 times. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. A gerbil will chew the wires of a wire cage and this can hurt their noses and muzzles. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Maybe an idea for our gerbil cage setup.. but I'm leaning towards a non-plastic wheel, after seeing what they've done to every other plastic item they've gotten their cute little paws on. After weaning, you can start feeding your baby gerbils solid food. This is a vital stage of development because gerbils live together in big groups, and need to learn how to get along. Also, if the conditions in their enclosure are clean, there’s no risk of infections. You might think you have to keep them separated. Fill the cage with 4 inches of bedding. They are learning to use their teeth for the first time. Robo Hamster Hamster Habitat Hamster Care Gerbil Dwarf Hamster Cages Hamster House Popsicle Stick Crafts … Instead, go for a wire cage with a lot of tubes and tunnels. Nov 28, 2014 - Explore Chris Watt's board "Gerbil ideas" on Pinterest. According to PLoS One, baby gerbils frequently communicate this way with their parents. If a gerbil lives alone, it gets sad. There’s a belief that if you do handle baby gerbils, the mother will reject its young because they smell like people. By using our site, you agree to our. There are only two ways that baby gerbils can get sick. Gerbils need gerbilariums for the following reasons: Gerbils have stronger jaws, and can gnaw through the thin plastic of hamster cages. If there are too many, all of the babies will be undernourished. TIP: Gerbils need a wheel measuring 11 inches. Food bowls are also bad for gerbils because they encourage fighting. Use your imagination to create underground tunnels, platforms, and ramps. Before long, they will need to eat it. See more ideas about gerbil cages, gerbil, hamster cages. finally my 4 gerbils got a bigger Cage. If your gerbil has babies,…, Separate baby gerbils from their mother, and opposite-sex siblings, before they reach sexual maturity. "Thank you for the info, my gerbil is happy.". eating solid food. They can’t see, so be careful not to surprise them. Setting Up a Gerbil Cage Water bottle. What to Put in Your Gerbil Habitat. The most important part of your gerbil's environment is room to dig, a minimum of 6 inches (15.2 cm) of substrate. Digging and tunneling. Pick fresh branches rather than dead ones off the ground. Most pups are…, Gerbils are social creatures, and should never live alone. It’s impossible to prevent any animal from ever being sick, so don’t be too harsh on yourself if one of the babies gets a cold. Allow both parent and pup to get used to the idea. Cup your hands so that the pups can’t scurry away and fall. Before that, they will want to spend most of their time next to their mother/parents. If they can’t, this can have a negative effect on bonding. Let it work in for a few minutes (see the cage cleaner for the exact time). Once you put your gerbil in its cage, scoop out any soiled bedding as soon as you notice it, as the ammonia from urine can make your gerbil develop respiratory issues. To avoid this occurring, clean your gerbils’ enclosure regularly. For tips on adding other accessories, like wooden platforms, read on! Gerbils come from a part of the world where there’s precious little water, like a desert. This can occur because the mother cannot produce enough milk for all its babies. Their new enclosure will be no different from their old one. Scattering food avoids this. In adult gerbils, this usually isn’t a big problem. A water bottle: Secure a 4-8-ounce water bottle to the side of the tank or cage so no water will drain out, and change the water at least a couple times … IDEAS FOR YOUR GERBILS HOME. If one is born small, it will struggle to push its siblings out of the way to access food, milk or otherwise. Gerbils will run for miles so a wheel is en essential. Provide adequate temperatures for the litter, and that there’s food available for the mother. If you’re planning to keep more than one gerbil, you may need a larger cage. For those of you who don’t know what a bin cage is - these cages are made from a storage bin, usually a clear one, in which the top and/or sides have been cut out and replaced with wire mesh for ventilation. Pups are about half an inch long at most. we can’t hear it. Gerbils need gerbilariums for the following reasons: Baby gerbils live in the same gerbilarium as their parents. You can also purchase attachable tunnels for the cage. An unhappy, hungry or stressed gerbil won’t readily make new friends. You have to adjust what care you give baby gerbils on a weekly basis. Make sure that you clean your gerbil’s cage once per week. So, if the female doesn’t have much fat, it won’t produce much milk either. Move slowly and don’t squeeze them. Neither adult gerbils nor their pups get sick easily. They usually open their second eye the day after they open the first. See more ideas about guinea pigs, pet cage, gerbil cages. Gerbils have hardly any fat reserves compared to other animals. Since gerbils can chew through plastic, avoid using a plastic nesting box. This prevents the spread of germs. Your gerbil babies won’t have any needs that regular adult gerbils don’t. Dry it with a (paper) towel. Seeing allows them to become even more independent, and they will explore their surroundings more. To set up a gerbil cage, buy a 10-gallon aquarium cage with a wire lid for ventilation and clamps to secure the wire lid on the cage. There is no need for you to hand feed your baby gerbils. 25 Pins • 6 Followers. When the babies move out, they will have the same needs as adults. Aug 2, 2016 - DIY and storebought cages for all gerbils => rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters etc. The size and shape of the enclosure must reflect this. Then, fill the cage with 4 inches of absorbent bedding, such as recycled paper, and position makeshift tunnels made of toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls throughout the cage. This is a result of the conditions they’re kept in. Avoid using wax-coated cardboard since the wax can be harmful to gerbils. Sugar Glider Toys. According to Hormones and Behavior, male gerbil fathers “show high levels of parental behavior toward their pups” due to hormonal changes. After all, gerbils eat dry pellets and enjoy a selection of seeds and nuts. Over the course of the first week, each gerbil will grow its first coat of soft, downy fur. This article has been viewed 32,058 times. I usually don't do with my fosters as I'm trying to tame them and it's hard to do that with this setup! I know what you’re thinking; it looks like it was designed for hamsters, … Gerbil Toys. Gerbils have stronger jaws, and can gnaw through the thin plastic of hamster cages. This article has been viewed 32,058 times. If you do want to handle the babies, wash your hands before and after. While it may be tempting to select a plastic gerbil cage, gerbils can and will chew through most plastics in short order! During week four, another sense becomes available to the baby gerbils: that of hearing. The mother won’t produce enough milk if it’s underfed itself. Gerbils are small animals, but they are very active, so you need to provide your pet with adequate space to work off his energy. You can handle pups before this point, but it’s ideal to wait until week two. The issue is that milk is made from stored fat. However, babies are smaller and more vulnerable. I hope that you find this resource helpful! In a dedicated gerbilarium, gerbils are prevented from coming into contact with gerbils outside of their family. Gerbils are busy animals that love to chew, dig, and burrow. The bedding is what holds onto the gerbils’ scent. The idea is that your gerbils will be happy in their split enclosure. In the wild, a mother can only produce milk for a certain amount of babies. Unsuitable Gerbil Cage Setups. Again, this allows them to become more mobile. The best gerbil cage setup will always be a metal or glass gerbil cage. So, scatter food across the substrate of their enclosure instead. Materials: Plastic, wire mesh. Jul 11, 2015 - ikea expedit 4 by 4 hacked into gerbil Cage. If you choose to use a ceramic dish, make sure the dish is heavy so your gerbil cannot tip it over. Baby gerbils develop far quicker than the young of many other pets. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. They evolved that way because they live in places with few fatty foods to sustain them. Respiratory infections are like colds. While a multi-level cage may seem ideal for your gerbils, it can be a hazard for baby gerbils. Lined with tissue for comfort. Gerbils will naturally dig underground tunnels. Baby gerbils can become sick if they’re underfed. According to PLoS One, gerbils calculate where they are, what’s around them and where to go from figuring out where noises are coming from (just like we can). Then, stock both sides of the cage with bedding, food, and water, but leave out toys so your gerbils don't get territorial. as discussed, the mother may kill one of its weaker babies if this is the case. Other than that, you can leave the litter alone. Your gerbil’s nose will get runny, it will sneeze, and it won’t be as active as usual. Bin Cages . If they get a cut or scrape, it could become infected. They’ll begin eating food when they wean at five weeks old. To spit cage a gerbil, start by getting a split cage insert from your local pet store and using it to divide a cage into two equal sections. The mother will look after these pups on her own throughout their development. While the mother won’t reject them if they smell like you, you may have other smells on your hands like perfume. All animals need water, and while gerbils don’t drink much, they still do need a water bottle. It’s possible for baby gerbils to not get enough food. They need to grind them down on something. Gerbil Cages. Because gerbils like to dig and burrow, a … She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. You should also ensure that the branches are natural and have not been treated with herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals. Additionally, place flat stones or rocks in the cage. The only reason you shouldn’t handle baby gerbils is if the pup or parents seem anxious. This will serve as a place to sleep, or as a place to hide when scared. When your gerbils are in the split cage, don’t remove their bedding. Next, find a shady, cool spot indoors, since direct sunlight can cause heatstroke in gerbils, and place the aquarium on a stable table or shelf. They contain fiber, potassium, vitamin…, Hoarding is a confusing behavior, not least because captive gerbils have plenty of food. Hi, I'm Lou. There is no limit regarding how early you can handle baby gerbils. At the end of this week, the gerbils are ready to search for their own food and live in their own group away from their mother. Baby gerbils are prone to fall and injure themselves in cages with multiple levels. This will allow the young to choose whether they wish to stay living in the same place, or move out. Gallery Image 26. Gerbils enjoy burrowing, so need lots of substrate in their enclosure. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Exercise wheel. If you are planning to keep pet gerbils, you will need a gerbil cage. When a gerbil is born, it needs to feed on its mother’s milk. The size and shape of the enclosure must reflect this. If you want to be really creative, try setting up an obstacle course out of plain cardboard. If one of the babies is underfed, the issue will continue to get worse. However, gerbils will benefit from having a water bottle in their enclosure. The babies will eventually start solely eating solid food. If you’re thinking of adopting new gerbils, you may wonder how many gerbils can be kept in the same cage (gerbilarium).…, When you compare a gerbil and bird’s diet side by side, they seem relatively similar. Don’t offer food in a food bowl, as this encourages the gerbils to fight for space. See more ideas about gerbil, hamster diy, hamster cages. They will need the following: You shouldn’t have a food bowl in your gerbil’s enclosure. With a little bit of work, you will have a great cage for your gerbils set up in no time at all. DIY Gerbil Toys Collection by C. Dew. This has made them very good at conserving water, much of which they find in their food in the wild. Most aspects of care are performed by their mother. Baby Gerbil Gerbilarium Setup. A spot that receives indirect sunlight is ideal. That’s how many meat-eating animals catch parasites. There’s no chance that your pet might starve under your care if it doesn’t bury its…. Just keep in mind that it’s best to keep gerbils in same-sex pairs to avoid accidental breeding. I just have some boxes, cardboard tubes, chews, and a wheel. You can handle them within the first week of their life provided that your gerbil family is comfortable with that. When Can Baby Gerbils Leave Their Mother? 1. running wheel. Size: 30×7.5×18 … You won’t need to take your pet to a vet, as they will get better on their own. They can be caught from direct contact with other gerbils or feces. Last Updated: April 24, 2021 Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Kaytee CritterTrail Habitat. Use absorbent bedding such as recycled paper bedding or dust-free Aspen shavings. Avoid pine and cedar shavings since the fumes are harmful to gerbils. You can also use plain, shredded paper that does not have any newsprint on it. So never go solely with a wire cage, as this can limit the gerbil's … So, even though there’s a chance that the mother will eat its babies, you can’t keep the babies separately. It’s the same with any animal which has large litters. There are three reasons why baby gerbils can’t be left alone: Gerbils do communicate. This should be 7-8 inches in diameter and ideally made of wood or metal. They will be more independent than ever. A wheel is not just for hamsters! Jan 10, 2017 - Explore C. Dew's board "DIY Gerbil Toys" on Pinterest. I think a lot people often wonder how they can make their tanks more exciting for their gerbils, yet keep the price down! Jul 24, 2014 - Explore Kaycee Chang's board "Hamster cage setup" on Pinterest. Setting up a cage that allows your gerbil to do these things is one of the most exciting parts of owning a gerbil. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. That’s because the pups are becoming more mobile and more confident in their surroundings. They aren’t used to their newfound sight yet. It’s better for their wellbeing if they have to dig and forage for their food. One issue that people are aware of is that mother gerbils can eat their young. Buy a rodent water bottle and water … They will likely think you are a big predator coming to eat them. Other than that, there’s only so much you can do to prevent a gerbil getting sick. A cage that is placed on the ground is also prone to drafts. You should wash your hands after any time you handle or touch a pet. It should survive anyway. They are likely only playing. It may die if it still can’t access any food. Many people find it a little confusing. Gerbil pregnancies are short, and easy to miss. Refill your gerbil's water bottle with cool water daily. You don’t have to force this to happen. The mother will begin rejecting its babies when they come to it for milk. Kaytee CritterTrail Super Habitat for Small Animals. Initially, baby gerbils only drink milk. It should be as accommodating as their regular enclosures. The easiest way is to keep your gerbil’s enclosure clean, replacing the substrate regularly, and wiping it with an antibacterial spray. Or, they can be eaten in food. Gerbils avoid parasites altogether. See more ideas about gerbil toys, hamster toys, diy stuffed animals. Your baby gerbils will dig around in the substrate of their enclosure looking for the food items. If the parents become defensive, don’t force the issue. If the mother has enough nipples for every pup, they may all feed at the same time. You will only see this happen with large litters of ten or more. That’s why I set up gerbilwelfare.com – to answer all of your questions about keeping gerbils as pets. Rodents’ teeth grow continually. They may eventually want to move out into their own space, in which case you will need to provide a second gerbilarium. However, setting one up can be hard for a novice. Make sure the wicker basket has not been treated with chemicals, dyes, or glue. It contains these ingredients: These ingredients offer the same nutrients as a gerbil’s wild diet, and are perfect for your captive pets. Dec 13, 2020 - Explore Kiera Running-Gosse's board "Gerbil cages", followed by 154 people on Pinterest. Just line the gerbilarium with a substrate, provide a water bottle, hide, wood to chew on, and some entertainment. By week five, even the smallest of your gerbil’s young will be weaned, i.e. Wipe it off with water and a sponge. This is a rather controversial subject, but I personally believe that bin cages are not suitable for gerbils. Gerbils are natural foragers. I’ve always found gerbils to be adorable pets, and am fascinated by their behavior. Weaning occurs around five weeks after birth. Planning your gerbil cage setup. Food dish (optional). Allow them to get used to the sight of you before picking them up again. Gerbils enjoy burrowing, so need lots of substrate in their enclosure. Next, spray some cage cleaner (and disinfectant) on the different sides of the cage. Finally, nestle a wooden box into the bedding so the gerbil can nest! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Set-Up-a-Gerbil-Cage-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Set-Up-a-Gerbil-Cage-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Set-Up-a-Gerbil-Cage-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid9196812-v4-728px-Set-Up-a-Gerbil-Cage-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"