I ❤ MY GERBIL

I am an experienced breeder, going back many years. I began breeding again in August 2020 with the goal in mind to show. I specialize in Siamese and Burmese colors. I also breed a few rare types: Blue and Rex coats.

I breed for quality, not quantity. Health and good temperament are my top priority.

I selectively pair up my gerbils to improve on traits like color, size, eye shape, and overall conformation based an the American Gerbil Society standard. 

The base product I feed is Kaytee FortiDiet Pro Health Hamster/Gerbil food. I mix in uncooked pasta, oats, and assorted nuts. I also feed freeze dried mealworms, cheerios, millet spray, pumpkin seeds, fresh carrots, kale, cucumber, and occasionally apples.

I do NOT feed Timothy or Alfalfa hay as gerbils tend to have allergies to hay. It's not necessary as part of their diet. Most people provide it for enrichment or to help build tunnels.

Selecting a cage is a personal preference. The decision is based on how much money and space you have. As well as how many gerbils you plan to keep. Some people like tanks and others find cages easier to manage. 

The general rule is 10 gallons of space per gerbil. Ideally, I find a 20 gallon long to be suitable for 2 gerbils max. However, a 40 gallon tank is my recommendation. Most of my gerbils are housed in tanks, but I do like the Preview 528 cage. It is lightweight and easy to clean. Importantly, my gerbils appear to be happy in this cage.

Plastic habitats are fun but a gerbil will chew threw it fast. Its not safe for your pets and you'll just have to buy another cage once they destroy it.

In addition to my main gerbil diet, I start to feed all pups at 3 weeks old these three foods: cheerios, freeze-dried mealworms, and millet spray. These three foods add extra fat and protein which is good for baby growth and is easier on baby teeth. I only feed these items up to the age of 4 months old because as they age, these food items can cause obesity. After 4 months old as a treat is perfectly fine.

WHY IS MY GERBILS NOSE RED?

One of the most common health issues with gerbils is nasal dermatitis. Here is a link to a good article.

https://www.stortvet.com/gerbils-nasal-dermatitis/

WHAT IS DEGLOVING?

Degloving is an injury in which the fur, skin, and muscle are torn off a gerbil's tail, leaving muscle and bone exposed. It can happen as a result of picking up the gerbil by the tail or if they get their tail caught on something. If this happens, a vet visit may be needed if the wound looks infected. In most cases, a minor wound will heal on its own. You can treat the wound by rinsing it off with saline solution and applying a small dab of neosporian. 

DO GERBILS HAVE SEIZURES?

Another issue gerbils commonly have are seizures. I read about 50% of gerbils will have a seizure between 2 to 6 months old. The good news is most gerbils out grow having seizures. Here is a good article for more information. 

https://www.gerbilwelfare.com/seizures-in-gerbils/#Is_My_Gerbil_Having_a_Seizure

WHY IS MY GERBILS EYE SWOLLEN?

Another common issue is swollen, red, or closed shut eyes. This is often caused by dirty or dusty bedding, sand, or allergies. Most often it's just debris that got in the eye. If the eye is oozing yellow puss, then it's infected and must see a vet. If it's oozing red, don't be alarmed, gerbil mucus is red in color. An irritated eye may get a collection of red mucus. If this is the case, you can treat by either rinsing with saline or wiping the eye with a warm wet q-tip.

If you suspect allergies, stop feeding hay and switch to "Eco Bedding".

1. Allow your new gerbil at least 48 hours to get use to its new environment before you start interacting. You can watch them and talk to them, but refrain from trying to hold them.
2. After the 48 hours, start getting them use to you by placing your hand in cage. Allow them to sniff you and climb on your hand.
3. I recommend you do not give treats by hand in the beginning. Some gerbils start to nip or bite because they associate your hand with food. Eventually they will learn the difference but first you need to teach them that's a hand, not food.
4. Always wash your hands before handling your gerbil. They may nip or bite if they smell food or other animals on your hands.
5. Put some of the gerbils old bedding in the new cage or recently cleaned cage. This helps alleviate a Declan and any stress when moving to a new or recently cleaned cage. Most breeders will provide current bedding if you ask.
6. Keep their bedding low for the first month (1 to 2 inches). This allows you to work on taming your gerbil. You don't want them to constantly hide from you in deep bedding.
7. Always use a clean cage that has no smells of other animals. Those smells can make your new gerbils fight.
8.  Teach them to jump in a bowl which will allow you to pick them up easier. Chasing a gerbil will make them mistrust you.
9. Provide at least one hiding spot, perhaps a small wood hut. Gerbils feel safer and more secure when they know they have a spot to retreat when they get scared.
10. Get a butterfly net. This is the quickest, easiest, and safest way to catch a gerbil if it escapes.
11. Do not provide a sand bath until your gerbil is at least 10 weeks old. From my experience, they can get sand in their eyes which can cause an eye infection or the loss of an eye.
12. I recommend a 10" exercise wheel. Smaller wheels will cause spinal damage.