Hamster and Gerbil Care.........!?

Question

I am getting 2 gerbils and my little sister Jessica(9) is getting A hamster.

What are some care tips and advice you would give us.....

We know the basics (food,water,ect) because she has a guinea pig and I have a dog and cat.

We would like to know games,toys,treats,and other helpful links, advice, and ALL the tips you can think of.

Names too would be helpful.

Jessica is going for Girl- Tina and Boy-Henry

I am going with girl - Kanga and Roo Boy- Skeeter and Skooter

Cage ideas too......would be REALLY helpful

ps- This would be her first hamster and my first pair of gerbils....

GIRL OR BOY? for bother hamster and gerbils

pleese HELP!?!?

-Amanda

Answer 1

Well since you are getting two gerbils make sure they are from the same store so they don't fight .And unless you want tons of little gerbil babies get two of the same gender.Also get a lot of wood chews gerbils love to chew up things and I highly suggest Critter Trail cages they like those the best.If you need more info check out this site.  

http://www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Ha...

Answer 2

Okay, Gerbils...

Gerbils love to live in groups so same s*x pairs are perfect! If possible, try and get them from the same litter. Most pet stores sell perfectly healthy Gerbils but you never know their history. Some Pet store Gerbils are inbred which can lead to later life illness. If possible, go down to your local animal shelter and adopt a pair. Gerbils are made homeless everyday because owners can't look after them properly or they have had an unexpected litter.

Toys - Gerbils LOVE to chew. Their teeth are constantly growing so they need a tough wooden toy to chew away at. Cardboard boxes and toilet roll tubes are fine. If you are going to give them a box it is best to use a box that has no print on it, or a human food box as the inks should not be toxic. So things like cereal boxes are fine.

Wheels are also an excellent form of fun for the Gerbils, it gives them plenty to do as well as keeping them nice and fit.

A gerbils coat can become quite greasy at times. A great way of giving them a nice clean is a lovely Sand bath. I use Chinchilla sand as the Chinchilla dust can be too dusty for the little critters.

Treats - Below are the foods that I add into my gerbils' diet, either by giving them the food by hand or by mixing it in with the rest of their food.

Apple – dried or fresh

Carrot

Banana – dried or fresh

Cucumber

Dried bread

Cheese (very small doses and as a treat!)

Cooked pasta/rice

Grapes

Tomato

Cereals (low sugar, so shredded wheat is ok, all bran, porridge)

Wild birdseed

Dandelion leaves

Grass (make sure no toxins on it)

Dried Dog biscuits - for extra protein and variety in their food

Millet seeds

Walnuts

Hazelnuts

Almonds

Broccoli

NB: only feed in moderation, as with humans a balanced diet is best

By offering your gerbils treats such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds etc you can often bribe your new Gerbils into gaining trust and friendship. Be careful not to use this trick too often, as it could cause your gerbils to expect treats everytime and they could end up nipping your fingers/hand whilst trying to find them. The best way, I find to tame gerbils is to talk to them a lot, and to sit with your hand in the tank a lot.. and I mean, A LOT. spend half an hour here, half an hour there just with your hand in the tank.

I love Kanga & Roo! Very cute names. Other good pair names are;

Gizmo & Gadget

Sugar & Spice

Salt & Pepper

Ruff & Tumble

Cages - The wire cages are unsuitable because you a)can't put much bedding in b) the Gerbil will kick most of the bedding out due to its natural digging instincts c) The Gerbil will chew at the metal bars all day... and all night... and in its sleep if it were possible. I use an Aquarium & Ferplast Duna cages. You can fill them right up with plenty of bedding and get to watch the new members of the family making they're home!

That's all I think of for now, if you have anymore questions give me an email and I'll be happy to answer!

Good luck!

Answer 3

www.petwebsite.com/  is the best site to go on that is were i go to get all my info