Here we can see, “How to Select the Most Appropriate Gerbil Toys”
To begin with, your gerbils’ toys must be safe. Gerbils have a habit of poking their heads into objects to investigate, so ensure sure any toys (especially those with holes cut in them) don’t have any spots where your gerbils’ heads could get stuck. Make sure your gerbils can’t ingest sharp pieces of plastic or other break-off items.
When the gerbils start nibbling on the plastic toys, take them away. Make sure they’re only shredding the cardboard and not eating it. Check toys for any pieces or strings that could entangle a gerbil’s toes, legs, or tail.
Wheels
Gerbils love to run around on wheels. Any wheel should have a sturdy rear wall and a solid surface. Their tails and other body parts can become entangled and harmed on wheels with rungs or cross-supports. Like the Silent Spinner or Wodent Wheel, a solid wheel is a suitable option.
Choose a medium-sized wheel that allows the gerbil’s back to remain straight when running. However, not all gerbils enjoy wheels, so don’t worry if yours doesn’t.
Hides
Small cardboard boxes and wooden skins and dwellings (untreated wood) are popular choices. However, they will easily shred cardboard, necessitating frequent replacement (choose cardboard with as little ink as possible). Wooden houses will be chewed as well, so while they will survive far longer than cardboard, you can expect to replace them after a while.
Hollowed-out logs, such as small logs in the small pet department or somewhat more giant half logs in the reptile section, can occasionally be found at pet stores. This method can also be utilized with a half coconut shell and ceramic or clay plant pots put on their sides.
Chew Toys
Gerbils enjoy chewing. A gerbil’s favorite object is a cardboard tube from a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Some people are concerned about the glue used in these, but colorful, safe (and a little more solid and long-lasting) cardboard tubes are now available for pets to play with.
Chewbular Tubes, Chubes, and Critter Caves, among others, can be found. Take old file folders, lay them flat, cut them into smaller portions, then coil them up tightly and hold for a while, as suggested by Twin Squeaks. They loosen up but remain mostly rolled when you let them go, allowing your gerbils to play with them. Even a simple brown paper lunch bag can be used for hiding, playing, and shredding!
Any untreated wood item (vegetable colored is fine) works well as a chew toy. They can be purchased or made from untreated wood scraps. Apple or willow twigs can also be supplied for chewing (avoid any evergreen tree branches). You can also look for climbing toys in your pet store, such as cholla, driftwood, and various woods like grapevine (perhaps found in the reptile section).
There are also a variety of wicker, natural grass, and plant fiber tunnels, balls, and cottages available (several of which are specifically marketed for rabbits), all of which are excellent for gnawing.
Toys and Tubes for Climbing
Gerbils will climb on almost any surface, including wooden buildings. Wooden ladders, see-saws, and other wooden accessories are also available (check the bird area if they aren’t in the small pet section). Plastic climbing tubes and attachments (such as those for hamsters) can also be utilized, though you must be especially careful that your gerbils do not consume plastic splinters.
Plastic toys and tubes are best given only when you are present to supervise. PVC pipe parts from the plumbing area of the hardware store are also a good option, as PVC is a little more resistant to chewing than rodent-proof plastic tubes. Dyed bamboo tubes are a relatively new addition to the market, and they are believed to be more durable and long-lasting. Ceramic tubes are also available (see in the aquarium section) and benefit from being virtually indestructible.
Dust Baths
Give your gerbils a heavy ceramic or glass dish filled with chinchilla dust a couple of inches deep. Your gerbils will most likely enjoy rolling and digging in the dust, cleaning, and conditioning their fur.
Digging
Gerbils enjoy digging. Please make sure at least a portion of their cage is covered in the substrate. Wooden shelters can also be used (such as under the shavings so the gerbils can have little “underground” caves to sleep in). Adding Timothy hay to the bedding will improve the bedding’s ability to hold tunnels. Burrows can also be created by placing ceramic tubes (see the fish section).
User Questions
Do gerbils need toys?
To keep gerbils engaged and happy, they require a lot of stimulation and cage enhancement. Make sure that the gerbil toys you purchase are safe for your pets. Keep an eye on the toys’ condition and make sure that any that have been worn or broken are removed and replaced.
Do gerbils like hanging toys?
It would help if you also supplied a variety of chewable toys. Many materials made of wood, cardboard, or paper can be converted into amusing toys. Anything with sharp edges, tiny fragments, or dangling threads, as well as varnish, paint, or dye, should be avoided.
Can a gerbil memorize a maze?
Gerbils can learn to navigate mazes and remember what they’ve learned over time. They can learn mazes rapidly and recall where objects were in the labyrinth to get food, according to research published in the Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior. They can also figure out how items relate to one another.
Is it possible to toilet train gerbils?
Your gerbil can be toilet trained. Set up a litter pan filled with sand or chinchilla dust for new pets, and let your gerbil become used to using it. Place the litter tray in the gerbil’s preferred bathroom for established gerbils; the odors should encourage it to use the tray.
How much do gerbils poop?
Every day, gerbils poop a few times. Gerbils can generate anywhere from 5 to 20 pellets per day, depending on how much they eat. However, when compared to other rats, this is normal and not out of the ordinary. As a result, they make excellent pets for young children.
Conclusion
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