Can gerbils die from being around cat litter?

Question

I know that humans can harbor a toxic disease from handling dirty cat litter/living around a dirty catbox. I don't have anywhere else for the litter to go but in my room, and I want to get a pair of gerbils to bring to school with me in the fall. Since they'll be living in my room as well, they'll be about 6-8 feet from the cat litter box. Will my gerbils-to-be get harmed from the toxins released from cat f***s and urine?

Answer 1

Well, as long as you keep the litter as clean as possible, and get the kind with the least dust, they should be fine.

Gerbils can develop respiratory infections from HOUSEHOLD dust if it is not maintained, so cat litter is worse in that aspect, since it undoubtedly contains dusts.

If you keep them in the same room, keep the gerbils as far to the other side as possible. I would also suggest using a tank in place of a cage- one with a topper, so the cat cannot knock it over as easily.

Make sure you check into the pet rulings at your school as well, they may not allow the gerbils in the first place, and your problems will be compounded when you need to find them new homes.

Answer 2

no.

Answer 3

ultimately no, just be sure to use litter that is as "dust free" as possible. humans with asthma have trouble with dust from the litters. a gerbils lungs, as healthy as they may be, are tiny and can only stand just so much. a vet explicity told me not to use cat litter for a ferrets litter due to the same thing and the close proximity. but since there will be a decent distance between, still try to get the "dust free kind" even though i dont think they exist :p

Answer 4

No,

becuase from what ive read gerbils can be litter trained so as long as the gerbil doesnt get out and eat the cat p**p its OK

Answer 5

Keep the litter box clean (scoop 2x daily or whenever needed!) and you should have no problems.

I have 2 litter boxes in my bathroom (2 cats, 2 boxes), and my male rat lives in the room, as well. He is perfectly healthy & happy.

Their health relies on your ability to provide a clean environment, including their cage & surrounding areas (in your case, it includes the litterbox!)

Answer 6

NO NOT UNLESS THEY EAT IT.