Convincing your mum for 2 gerbils?

Question

i want to have two gerbils. (they do not like to live alone). I have the money to buy them. i have a cage and bedding for them. (from my old hamsters, that are now dead), a wheel, bowls excetera. can gerbils use hamster balls and eat their food?.

any tips on persuading mum for gerbils? (i have not asked her yet but i have a feeling it will be no.

Answer 1

Gerbils need a wheel that doesn't have holes in it - they can't use ordinary metal ones as their tails get caught. Gerbils are generally ok with hamster food and my gerbils have a hamster ball they're ok in. The only problem I have with the ball is if I put one gerbil in, he misses his brother, but if I put both gerbils in, they try & go in opposite directions!

Make sure the cage is scrubbed very well before getting gerbils and make sure the bedding is ok as gerbils can be allergic to some kinds of wood.

I would suggest you do tons of research on gerbils so that you're sure you can convince your mum they're a good pet for you and try & do things to convince her that you're responsible enough to look after them and won't get bored of them as they can live for up to 5 years. Did you or your mum do most of the caring for your hamster? This may be a factor in your mum's decision.

Answer 2

Did you look after the hamsters properly?  If so, remind your mother of that.  You could also borrow a book on gerbils from the library, or print out some information from the internet, to show that you are taking the animals' welfare seriously.

My daughter, who is seven, wants a hamster, and I have said no for now, because I know that I would end up looking after him, and because I am not sure that she fully understands that the animal has to be treated at all times with gentleness and understanding.  If you can convince your mother that neither of these problems apply to you, then she will probably say yes.

Gerbils can eat hamster food, but instead of living in a typical hamster cage, they prefer a large fish tank, filled with sawdust, in which they can make tunnels.

If she does say no, ask if she would reconsider the question when you are a little older.  It's better to get an answer of "later" rather than a flat-out "no".

Answer 3

bribe her with "2" $100

Answer 4

All you need to do is just prove to her that your responsible enough to take care of them.

How you do this is up to you

Answer 5

i worked hard to get both of my gerbils recently. i had to prove that i really wanted them and would not loose interest in them. i worked extrememly hard around the house and did every thing that i could for my mom and dad. do tons (i mean TONS) of research. keep printing out and emailing information too them. ask around for peoples good AND BAD experiences with them. you really have try hard for it. those will all work. the gerbils will have a harder time moving the bigger ball.  

Answer 6

Gerbils cannot use hamster balls and most hamster food can be eaten by gerbils just watch the gerbs closely.

As for your mom, ask her. Tell her it was very hard when your hamsters died and you feel that gerbils are the right pet for you. They also live longer, 2-5 years.

Hope this helped.

If you need tips on gerbils go to my site http://www.lilcrittersgerbilclan.piczo.c...

I have made pages about basic gerbil care and a picture of my tank set up.