Connections Reiki ~ Pet Care: Gerbils

Housing
- Glass Tank - I prefer glass tanks for a variety of reasons. Glass provides more protection from other free-roaming pets like cats and dogs. On the downside, mice to have relatively strong urine, and even a small mesh top doesn't give much safe ventilation. Use an absorbant litter and clean and disinfect the bottom often.
- Wire Cage - Wire cages allow drafts; the bars tend to be too far apart; the bottoms tend to be either more bars which can injure little feet, or plastic, which their urine can permanently etch and be impossible to clean.
- Plastic Cage - Maze type plastic cages look really cool and do provide much needed enrichment, but have their own drawbacks. They can be very difficult to clean, if you really must have one (they are as much fun for younger kids as they are for your critter) make sure it will come apart easily for cleaning and disinfecting. Also, rodents chew, and plastic is prime for gnawing. Not good for little innards, destroys the cage and may allow escape.
Bedding
- Recycled Corrugated - I prefer recycled corrugated like Carefresh (NOT in dyed colors), a similar product is available at Wal~Mart stores. It is super absorbant, recycled, and biodegradable, and it is nice and soft, rodents love to nest with it.
- Aspen - a great second choice. No toxic oils, but make sure you get smaller chips, the big bales sometimes have large coarse chips that are larger than your mouse.
- Pine/Cedar - Other wood chips like pine and cedar - Just say NO! Pine and especially cedar have aromatic oils that can burn tender feet, cause upper respiratory problems and aggravate allergies.
Companionship - at least one other same sex
Reproduction - why?
Feeding -
Water - Fresh water EVERY DAY. Just because your gerbil has a liter-sized water bottle doesn't mean that you can leave it for weeks until it's gone. Water bottles will develop bacterial and algae growths if not cleaned regularly. Best bet: buy a small bottle with a large mouth opening for ease in cleaning. Super Pet and Farnham pet products make a variety of sizes. Refill daily, disinfect weekly.
Health