How can I persuade my parents to let me get a gerbil?

Question

Please help!

Answer 1

To start with, you'll have to prove to your parents you're responsible and committed to gerbils.

In order to show you're responsible, start by just cleaning your room without being asked, keeping it clean, helping out around the house without complaining, doing the dishes without being asked (if you don't have a dishwasher), doing your own laundry, etc. Prove to them that you can handle having a pet. Remember, though, they'll expect you to keep this up even after you get your gerbil.

Then, do tons and tons of research. I researched gerbils for at least a month before I even asked my mom for them. I joined a gerbil forum ( http://gerbilforum.proboards21.com/ ), read all the articles I could get a hold of on the internet, spoke to other gerbil owners, asked a few questions on here, and I planned out exactly what I was going to get for my gerbils. My mom doesn't like rodents. She says they all look like rats, so naturally, when I first asked, she said absolutely not. However, I kept it up. I showed her I was responsible and that I was really committed to getting gerbils. I showed her exactly what they were, and told her that she would NEVER have to even touch them. She doesn't even have to look at them. I'd be the caretaker, and I would never dump them on her. I've now had my two wonderful little gerbils for about 6 months, and to this day, I've kept up my end of the deal. My mom has never touched them, and I care for them.

So, all in all, the best way to get your gerbil is to EARN them. Don't go around the house slamming doors, crying, starving yourself, whining, etc. when you don't get your way. I'm not saying you do, but most young kids tend to do that. Hah. Be mature about it. Prove to them you're responsible. Teach them about gerbils and the care they require. Show them you can handle it, and show them that you're willing to care for your gerbils for their entire lives, which can be up to 5 years. Gerbils can be great pets for the right people. Good luck!

Also, please keep in mind that gerbils are social and should always be kept in same s*x pairs. A pair of males or a pair of females is fine. Two isn't much more work than one. In fact, one gerbil may be more work because you have to spend a ton of time with it trying to make up for the lack of gerbil companionship. However, as much time as you spend with it, you simply can't replace a friend there to groom, play with, and sleep with. Lone gerbils tend to live shorter, less healthy lives. If they're unhappy, they can be unsocial with humans. So, two males or two females is the best thing to do.

Answer 2

I don't know what you've tried already, but here goes...

Gerbils do not require to be out of the cage, unless you get them a ball to be in. They tend to run away or just run at high speeds.

I would suggest a pair of Gerbils in a 20 gallon aquarium (one that is tall so that it has more depth overall) and do not use pet bedding. Instead, goto a place, such as Home Depot, and purchase Peat moss. The Gerbils will be able to dig tunnels in the material, which lasts a LOT longer than pet bedding so there is actually less cleaning involved (making it even more beneficial to have a pair of Gerbils).

Doing this will give you a pair of pets that will be well taken care of (and I am serious, get your gerbil at least one cagemate. If you buy one, buy another that it was living with so there is little to no fighting over territory). In this aquarium, you will essentially have an ant farm, only it is Gerbils who will have tunnels that you can see through the glass! You do not need to handle them, save for cleaning up their home, but they are fun to watch. They love to dig, so why deny them the joy?

I would have you look up facts about Gerbils as pets, aswell as small animals (pocketpets, exotics, etc) in general. These types of pets are easy to care for, hard to resist falling in love with, and will bring a smile to your face just by watching them. Remember, nothing shows your parents better responsibility traits than a well organized mini-presentation regarding your desire to have a pet.

Answer 3

Well out of all small rodents I would say that gerbils are the easiest to look after. They are originally desert animals so are very good at controlling their water supply, which means they don't pee very much. This means their tanks dont smell and also don't need cleaning out as often as other rodents.

They are highly sociable and can be very friendly, some can be trained to sit in your shirt pocket quite happily. Also, they are not nocturnal like hamsters. They sleep in little bits throughout the day and night, which means they will be awake during the day so you can play with them, and won't be up all night keeping you awake by running in their wheel.

Also, 2 male gerbils if from the same litter, will get on just fine in the same tank (providing there are NO females gerbils anywhere in sight/smell), and they provide hours of entertainment as they play fight, chase each other and sleep ontop of one another.

These are just a few things that you may be able to use to persuade your parents to let you get a gerbil. Just please make sure you are ready to look after it well, and will be willing to do so for 4-7 years, as some gerbils do live this long!

Good luck!

Answer 4

I am trying the same thing with my parents right now! Last night I gave my mom and dad each I written report I made on how I would handle the responabilites and the costs. [make sure you tell them that you will pay for it] and she said 'maybe!!'. so i guess thats a start. im going to be doing alot of research and stuff like that. so good luck!!

Answer 5

Deal with them. You should promise you won't  let your grade down in school and you will do some housework.