I got my young gerbil about two or three months ago. He has been fine with his bedding for a while. But all of a sudden he seems to not like it and sleeps completely without out it, underneath him is just the glass of the aquarium. I thought about getting him ceder or alpine sheddings, but my dad said that kind was bad for him. I don't know what to do!?!?!?
Answers:
Your dad is 100% right about the litter and is smart to tell you no to cedar and pine shavings, but also don't use aspen or saw dust all of these are harmful or toxic when mixed with the animals urine especially in a tank that already has almost no ventilation except for the top. Anyone that tell you these things are fine to use with a gerbil don't have any idea of what their talking about and are endangering any small animals they use it with. Any site on gerbils will tell you the same thing on any wood shavings and the toxic interaction with the urine.
Have you considered a plastic bottom and wire top cage such as the ones sold by Super Pet? I primarily use them and wish that's all I could use, but my mice are too small for these and most all wire cages and will escape, so they're the only ones we ever use tanks for. What kind of litter do you use? The bedding sold for small animals called fluff by some should never used. It can become entangle around the feet or legs and will cause harm to them or worse, they have been known to chew off their won foot to get loose when tangled.
I would leave him alone, this will not harm him at all, he's trying to stay cool. Like I said the tanks have inadequate ventilation and he's simply getting too hot in there.
Also you need to watch out for mold growth where he urinates or where the water bottle sits. This is common with a cage not cleaned often or when it's too hot in the cage. The mold causes respiratory infection, pneumonia, and death to them.
It's summer, and the temperature inside the house has probably changed. Just because he sleeps on the glass, doesn't mean he doesn't like his bedding. My rats do it all the time, when they want to sleep on something cool.
I use corn cob bedding, so if you are still interested in switching his bedding, consider it. Doesn't produce an odor as quickly as wood shavings do.
Your dad is correct about Cedar bedding being bad for your gerbil. It can lead to upper respiratory infections.
do not use cedar, pine, clay bedding for small animals. (don't listen to the guy below me.)
These have been known to cause upper respiratory infections and life threatening problems because of the ammonias and dust particles in the bedding.
the only recommended bedding materials are Corn Cob, Carefresh brand and Ammonia free Aspen shavings.
Pet stores, Veterinarians, and responsible small animal owners with experience will all tell you the same thing.
I personally prefer Carefresh or Aspen as I have not had luck with corn cob. Others have had great luck with it.
But please don't use Cedar, Pine, or clay for small animals ever ever ever.
Also- what tempurature do you have it where he is staying? Is he out of direct sunlight? don't put them in a place where its below 55 degrees or above 85. (if he's in a cooler area- try giving him extra bedding to snuggle in)
keep out of direct sunlight and drafts.
Also, try giving him nesting materials. You can find some nice cottony materials at your local petstore. Its very healthy for them to build nests to sleep in, and will actually be beneficial for them.
Make sure he has fresh water daily.
as long as he's acting normal, using his wheel, enjoying out time in his roll about ball, and active at night... he should be fine.
If he slows down, doesn't want to eat, has a wet (full of poo) looking tail... he should see a vet.
------- the bedding isn't only my opinion as a former vet tech with experience, and as a small pet owner, here's someone else's opinion. --------
"cedar emits volatile compounds which are irritating to the respiratory tract (and may also cause changes in the liver). Pine shavings also release volatile compounds to a lesser but still significant extent. These beddings (particularly cedar) may also cause a skin sensitivity or allergy, and should be avoided. Aspen shavings, care fresh and corncob are preferable beddings."
This comes straight from a veterinarian specializing small animals.
ceder and alpine rnt bad for a gerbil i used it mine was just fine
first you need to get your gerbil a wire frame cage,aquariums are poorly ventilated just notice the smell above his aquarium , get him some straw that is the best and change his bedding daily,cedar and pine shaving are also good they are most certainly not bad for him
get aspen or cozy critter shavins' its low in dust and oils which cause respiratory problems in rodents, available at petsmart or petco.
Wow, there are some pretty good answers up there. o.o
Anyways, I think the gerbil just needs some place where it's cool. Maybe put a little bit of the bedding to the side so that some of the glass is uncovered, so then your gerbil can get on that all it wants whenever it's hot.
Also, do not put your gerbil under direct sunlight! They get dehydrated quickly. Be sure to always have cool, fresh water available for your gerbil and to put it in the shade.
Have you ever heard of Eco Bedding? It is the best -- BEST -- bedding sold! It is crinkled paper, soft, fluffy and totally dust free. Little animals just LOVE to play and tunnel in it.
Aspen is fine for gerbils. There is so much controversy about pine and cedar -- why take a chance on using them?
However, I have learned over the years that what WE think is comfortable, isn't necessarily what THEY think is comfortable. It probably is warmer in the house and the bare glass feels good to him. If he didn't like sleeping on the glass he wouldn't. At the same time, if he doesn't want to sleep in the bedding, he won't, no matter how great it is.
Just for your information -- gerbils (like most animals) really NEED others of their own kind to be happy. You should never have a SINGLE gerbil -- in fact, it's very irresponsible for pet stores to SELL single gerbils. However, it's too late now -- an adult gerbil will almost never accept another gerbil -- they will fight to the death. Next time, however, please get TWO.
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