Gerbil died after 1 week. Hamster died 1st day. Anyone know what's up?

Question

I got a Gerbil about a month ago. I got a new cage, Aspen bedding, food, water. The cage was the pink plastic one from Critter Trail with bars. My gerbil seemed FINE for the first week. After I cleaned it's cage it died the next day. I cleaned the cage with water and a mild soap and dried it off.

After it died I just got a new hamster today, I used the same cage as for the gerbil, but I changed the bedding and food, cleaned the wheel and water and washed the water bottle. When I first tried to put the hamster in the cage it was very vicious and tried to bite me. I left it alone, and checked on it every hour and it got more lethargic every hour.

Both of the rodents I purchased at Petsmart.

I'm not sure if it's the cage. Maybe there's a cage virus?

Or if it's the rodents getting bred at Petsmart.

Should I try getting a new cage?

Or buying a sterilizer?

Or should I go to a different pet store?

Answer 1

probably just the the animals at that one pet store. I used to buy fish and this one Pet Supermarket and they always died of the same species from the same disease or watever. So i started buying them from another pet store and i didnt change anything about the aquarium and they're still alive. They could've been sick before you bought them. Maybe if they're a large population kept in a small area they can catch disease from other animals' waste products and such.

Answer 2

pets are always better if you perches them from a breeder. that is most likly the problem. also animals from a breeder are nicer (not neerly as agresive) and the breeder will be mor than  happy to help.

Answer 3

I'm sorry about your hamster and gerbil.  I don't know what you meant by saying you were counting the days until they died.  Anyway, it sounds like you were taking good care of them but maybe you shouldn't go to pet smart again.  I get pet supplies at pet smart but I don't get my pets there except for my Chinchilla.  He is doing great.  I got my hamsters and gerbils at a reputable pet store where they are always cleaning the cages and taking good care of their pets.  I have had them over a year and they are all doing great.

Answer 4

You should try a glass aquarium. You should buy from a different store. It also may be from the soap you are using. Go to your local petstore and ask for a non-toxic spray for hamsters,gerbils,giunea pig,rabbit,etc. I hope your pets don't die anymore! Good luck!!  :]-

Answer 5

You should probally buy a new cage and try getting one from a different pet store. Maybe a smaller petstore. They usually breed their own and they are healthier. Buying a new cage would just help you eliminate the cage as being the problem. Try a glass aquarium and get a few toys to put in it, make sure you get a screen like lid and it will be great. Good luck with it.Oh and I would like to say animallover is a little ***** and she needs to get a life and stop posting rude answers to peoples serious questions.

Answer 6

There is really no way to tell what an animal died from, unless you get a necropsy done at a vet. it is possible that the animals are sick(since you are getting them at the same place). It could also be that they were "poisoned" by the soap you used(the safest way to clean an animals cage is with diluted bleach and hot water, and then allow to air dry completely, bleach leaves no residue afterwards, unlike soap).

I would personally clean the cage, and everything in it(water bottle, bowls, toys(unless they are wood), etc) with a diluted bleach solution. Soak for 15 min, rinse, and allow to air dry, rinse again. Throw out anything you cannot clean(bedding, wood toys, food, etc). After you clean, then get another rodent, and choose a different source(do not go back to Petsmart).

Answer 7

try rinsing it off? instead of letting it dry? and maybe to place you are getting them from has a virus going though the animals...... different pet stores is your best bet- getting a wire cage- no plastic except for the tray at the bottom- is also a good idea...