Sand should never be the sole bedding source offered. However,
sand is a preferred material for gerbil bathing
. Sand or, alternately, cornmeal, helps remove excess oils and debris from your gerbil's coat and leaves the fur shiny and clean. Gerbils love rolling in the sand, too!
What is the best bedding for a gerbil?
Carefresh or cardboard shavings
– This is soft, cozy bedding that is great for tunnelling. It's digestible, and gerbils can't get tangled up in it. Shredded paper – A long as the paper is ink- and dye-free, shredded paper can be a good choice of bedding, and has the benefit of being cheap too.
Do gerbils prefer sand or sawdust?
Although this is cheap to buy, it is not actually recommended for gerbils.
Sawdust can cause irritation
to their eyes and noses, so just avoid it. This is a good choice as long as it is clean, and has the dust extracted from it.
Is sawdust OK for gerbils?
Another wood-based substrate to avoid is sawdust. The small particles
can cause lung problems
in gerbils.
Is sand safe for gerbils?
Sterilized play sand is safe to use with gerbils
. Many gerbil owners have kept gerbils with a sand bath with play sand. Don't use dyed play sand or kinetic play sand. The best play sand for gerbils is dust free and is so-called aragonite sand (silica-free).
Why do my gerbils bury their food?
Gerbils bury food
so that some food will be available when there's less
. It also keeps the food fresher. Captive gerbils behave this way even though they don't need to. You can stop your gerbils from burying their food by scatter feeding instead of using a bowl.
How often do gerbils need a sand bath?
To get your gerbil's coat shiny, give it a sand bath! Since they are a desert species, gerbils are accustomed to cleaning themselves in the sand. To keep your gerbil's coat clean and prevent bacterial infections, you should give your gerbil access to a sand bath
at least once a week
.
Can gerbils have toilet paper?
Gerbils love to chew. A cardboard tube from a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll is one of a gerbil's favorite things. … When you let them go, they loosen but stay more or less rolled, and your gerbils can have a
ball
with them. Even a small brown paper lunch bag will provide hiding, play, and shredding possibilities!
Do gerbils need a wheel?
Many gerbils
enjoy running on wheels
. Any wheels should have a solid surface and have a solid back wall. Their tails and other body parts can get caught in and injured on wheels with rungs or cross-supports. A solid wheel such as a Silent Spinner or Wodent Wheel is a good choice.
Is wood shavings okay for gerbils?
Good bedding for gerbils is made from
wood/paper pulp or
other natural materials. Many gerbil owners make their own bedding, as this can be cheaper. Aspen Shavings: Natural, visually appealing.
Can I use regular beach sand for my gerbils to take a sand bath in?
Sterilized play sand is safe
to use with gerbils. Many gerbil owners have kept gerbils with a sand bath with play sand. Don't use dyed play sand or kinetic play sand. The best play sand for gerbils is dust free and is so-called aragonite sand (silica-free).
Is chinchilla sand OK for gerbils?
There are several types of sand that you can use to give your gerbils a sand bath. The most popular choice is chinchilla sand or similar sand that is made for bathing small pets.
You should never give (chinchilla) dust to gerbils
. The best sand doesn't contain silica and is free of dyes.
What is the lifespan of a gerbil?
Mongolian gerbils usually live between two and five years, whereas Fat-tailed gerbils tend to live for slightly longer, generally somewhere
between five and eight years
.
Are gerbils hoarders?
Gerbils allocate enormous amounts of time and energy to hoarding activities
(Abramsky 1980; Abramsky et al. 2001). … The importance of this hoarding behavior to gerbils is illustrated in studies by Abramsky et al.
How often do I have to clean my gerbils cage?
You should clean your gerbilarium
every two to three weeks, or more often if it gets dirty
. Because gerbils originate from desert and dry grassland areas, they do not produce much urine and waste, so it's fairly easy to keep their environment clean and free from smells.
Are gerbils or hamsters better pets?
Gerbils don't smell bad as they urinate less frequently than hamsters. Gerbils can learn commands, while hamsters are clever escape artists. Their care needs are about the same, but gerbils usually cost more as they need a companion. Both pets have their advantages and disadvantages, so
there isn't a better pet perse
.
