i am thinking about getting either gerbils/mice/dwarf hamsters. i don't know which yet because i haven't done too much research yet. all i know is i want one of those. and i have a few questions i couldn't find online.
1. if i get a really big tank/aquarium type cage, then can they entertain themselves or do they still need time out EVERY day? and if so, how big would it have to be for 2 or 3?
2. what do you recommend out of those three. and it would be really helpful if you could list pros and cons of each.
3. i think i read that gerbils and mice like to burrow in their bedding, so what kind of bedding would be best? (and i've heard no pine or cedar)
any other tips or things i should know are greatly appreciated!
Thanks :)
First of all.. don't listen to people who say that aquariums are bad environments for small animals. They are no worse than those plastic cages with minimal wire bars and a bazillion tubes. You just need to make sure they have enough air flow by putting them somewhere that is open (like a living room or bedroom) and not closed off (like a closet or small hallway), and clean the cage out once a week with a capful of bleach per gallon of water to remove ammonia (urine) deposits. Buy a wire or mesh tank topper and they will be absolutely fine. Sheesh.
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Yes, they all do need activity outside of the cage at least every other day. 15 minutes in a hamster ball is fine as well as 10 minutes of bonding time with you. Make sure not to keep it out of the cage for more than half an hour as they can get dehydrated easily.
I personally LOVE dwarf hamsters... I have had both types and the dwarfs are superior in almost every way to Syrians. They can be incredibly affectionate and once tamed will not bite, despite what most people think. Dwarf hamsters have been given such an unfair reputation as being nasty and biters by people who didn't take the time to properly tame them or have know people with them that didn't properly tame them. My little Russian dwarf is as sweet as sugar. She'll even give me kisses when I take her out of her cage and will curl up by my neck to sleep. They can be kept in same sex pairs (preferably female as later in life males will fight) and are incredibly fun to watch interact with each other. They can't have sugar though so you need to be careful with what you feed them. Fruits are a no-no, as are a lot of commercial hamster treats. They love veggies though, so it's fine.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Gerbils are also really fun to watch. They require a lot of room to run around though and a tall habitat as they hop sooo much and have tons of energy. They burrow a lot so shoe boxes filled with aspen chips and carefresh are excellent. It's a lot cheaper than trying to fill the whole cage with enough bedding to burrow in. Also, they have to live in same-sex pairs as well.. preferably female pairs. Male pairs have a tendency to not get along once older.
Mice are cute too but they require a habitat with no bars as they are escape artists that have mastered the art. For mice, fish tanks are ideal, as is the case with dwarf hamsters as well. Mice can also be taught how to do tricks like fetch and how to do obstacle courses. They need to live in pairs as well less they become depressed, so same rules apply as hamsters and gerbils... same sex pairs only!
Aspen wood chips and a soft bedding for nests like care fresh or boxo is perfect. You can even mix the two evenly to get the best of both worlds- smell/urine absorption and softness.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Finally, Silent Spinner wheels are a god-send for all rodents unless you *want* to pull your hair out from listening to "Squeak squeak squeak" all night long. Also make sure to give only 1 tablespoon of food a day per animal... any more is over-feeding. If they don't empty their bowl, leave it in there for one more day. Make sure to change the food every other day though or else it gets stale and they won't eat it. Wash the bowl out weekly with hot water. Only give them a water bottle and change the water daily. Water bowls are unsanitary and can poison your animals. Leave them to get adjusted to their new habitat for two days before so much as even putting one finger in the cage. If you don't wait they could get stressed and become susceptible to wet-tail, and you're apt to be bitten. Just talk to them softly at first and let them get used to your voice. Good luck!
