Safe Wood and Other Materials for Gerbils
- Acacia
- Alderberry
- Ash (no seeds)
- Aspen
- Bamboo
- Birch (white, grey, broadleaf, silver, common are safe. All others are unsafe)
- Cercis (redbud or spicewood)
- Chinese Dogwood
Are wood chews safe for gerbils?
Instead, you need to provide safe alternatives in the form of toys and wood chews to keep them distracted. These toys also help to alleviate boredom and keep your pet gerbil happy. To help you shop for toys and chews for your pet, we’ve compiled these lists of safe wood and other materials that you can offer your gerbil.
What kind of bedding is bad for gerbils?
Certain types of woods should not be used for gerbil bedding, as they contain toxic chemicals. In particular, steer clear of oily or highly aromatic wood, like cedar and pine. These woods contain compounds called phenols, which have been proven dangerous for small animals.
Are aspen trees safe for gerbils?
Because it’s wood-based, aspen is compostable and safe for gerbils to chew. It’s visually appealing and has a pleasant woody smell. It has good absorbency and conceals odors reasonably well. Gerbils love to spend time chewing aspen shavings into wood pulp to build tunnels with.
Are pine cones safe for gerbils?
They are therefore safe for gerbils to chew on. Do pine cones make a good chew toy for gerbils? They certainly do because they have lots of individual scales/seeds on them for your gerbils to chew. Your pet will strip each of these off by chewing them one by one. Pine cones make a suitable chew toy and are also nice to look at in a gerbilarium.
Is pine OK for gerbils?
The following materials can be harmful to gerbils, and so we strongly advise against using them at all. Pine and cedar bedding - These are terrible options, as they cause respiratory problems in gerbils due to the fact that they break into tiny pieces and can be breathed in.
Can you put wood in a gerbil cage?
If you want safe wood for gerbils to chew on, branches and sticks are usually fine. In the wild, they would certainly chew on any wood that they might find in their habitat. However, there are certain things you have to watch out for. Some kinds of wood may be poisonous for gerbils, so they are best avoided.
Is Oak wood OK for gerbils?
It's safe to give your gerbil oak to chew on. But to be on the safe side, boil and bake all wood before giving it to your gerbil. This process removes dirt, bacteria, pesticides, insects, insect eggs, and tannins.
Is balsa wood safe for gerbils?
Give them a variety of chewing aids to keep their teeth trimmed. A branch from outside may not be safe nor will a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Small animal chews are generally made from balsa wood, which is hard enough to gnaw on, but soft enough not to splinter or cut.
What is toxic to gerbils?
Don't give your pets grapes or rhubarb, as these are poisonous to rodents. Avoid excessive amounts of certain seeds (such as sunflower), as they're fatty and can cause obesity.
What do you put in bottom of gerbils cage?
Use absorbent bedding such as recycled paper bedding or dust-free Aspen shavings. Avoid pine and cedar shavings since the fumes are harmful to gerbils. You can also use plain, shredded paper that does not have any newsprint on it.
What is safe for gerbils to chew?
Gerbils love to chew. A cardboard tube from a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll is one of a gerbil's favorite things.
Can you give gerbils pine cones?
Pine cones aren't dangerous. The problem with pine is the phenol in the wood (hence why pine shavings are bad), but it's not present in the cones.
Do gerbils prefer sand or sawdust?
Gerbils also require a sand bath. This helps keep their fur in good condition. You can use chinchilla sand, available from most pet shops. We never use sawdust or wood shavings as they can irritate gerbils eyes.
What kind of cardboard can gerbils have?
Free Cardboard A visit to the kitchen will offer up cereal boxes, egg cartons and pasta boxes. Tissue boxes also provide the gerbil with chewing fun. Remember to remove all plastic from the cardboard and never use it if it is wet or soiled with food.
What is the best bedding for gerbils?
The best gerbil bedding combines hay, aspen shavings, and paper-based bedding (such as Kaytee Clean & Cozy). A mixture of materials helps gerbils to build sturdy tunnels. Provide your gerbil with at least 6 inches of substrate and spot-clean weekly. Fully replace the bedding every 3-4 weeks.
Can gerbils have salt rocks?
Are Salt Licks Good for Gerbils? So, some owners still give their gerbils salt licks or mineral blocks. But that may not be a good idea, because excess salts can make animals unwell. With a salt lick available, plus the sodium it gets in its diet, your gerbil will have far too much salt in its diet.
What bedding should my gerbil have?
Good bedding for gerbils is non-toxic, digestible, dust-free, and can be used for tunneling. The best gerbil bedding combines hay, aspen shavings, and paper-based bedding (such as Kaytee Clean & Cozy). A mixture of materials helps gerbils to build sturdy tunnels.
What can gerbils chew on?
Chewing and Gnawing Certain items are safe for gerbils to chew, such as: Banana leaves. Cardboard from food packaging.
Do gerbils need sand baths?
Since they are a desert species, gerbils are accustomed to cleaning themselves in the sand. To keep your gerbil's coat clean and prevent bacterial infections, you should give your gerbil access to a sand bath at least once a week.
Can you use sawdust for gerbils?
Sawdust has been known to cause irritation to gerbil eyes and noses, so it is best to avoid it. On the whole this is very clean, especially the dust extracted form and it does not usually cause problems for gerbils.
What Can I Give My Gerbil to Chew?
Your gerbil will not naturally have much in its enclosure to chew on. It will have its food, which is good for gnawing, but not enough on its own. The substrate you’ll provide won’t be suitable for chewing. Other things might be too hard, like metal and glass.
What are the problems with gerbils?
Another problem that can occur is that the branch may contain fungi, lichen, parasites, or bacteria. You should avoid introducing any of these things into your gerbil’s environment.
What are gerbil chew toys made of?
Toilet paper rolls are an excellent choice for a gerbil chew toy. They are made from a material which isn’t hard enough to damage their teeth. They are also fibrous, which gerbils enjoy when chewing.
Why do gerbils bite their cages?
Another tactic is for the rodent to chew on tough things to wear their teeth down gradually . This is why a gerbil may sometimes bite the bars of its cage. The issue is that rodent teeth are as solid like a rock. They are harder than iron, which is why rodents can gnaw through improbable things like metal pipes.
What is gerbil food?
Gerbil food is specially formulated for your pet’s nutritional needs. However, it’s also perfect for chewing on. Gerbil food mixes usually contain: 1 Solid hay pellets 2 Sunflower seeds, which need to be cracked open to be eaten 3 Soy bean hulls and similar fibrous material, which can be chewed and gnawed 4 Different kinds of nuts
What happens if you don't give a gerbil something to chew?
If you don’t give a gerbil something to chew, it’ll chew things that it shouldn’t. Examples of things that a gerbil will chew on which it shouldn’t include:
Can gerbils eat plastic food bowls?
Most people give their gerbil a food bowl, even though it’s better to scatter food. If the food bowl is plastic, it will regularly chew and gnaw on it. You may mistake this behavior for eating food if you aren’t looking carefully. You should avoid this because plastic cannot be digested safely.
What is the best substrate for gerbils?
If your gerbils love burrowing, you might consider using earth as a substrate. Potting soil and peat are popular choices for gerbil substrate.
What Is the Best Gerbil Substrate?
There is a huge number of gerbil bedding options. However, not every substrate option is equal. They all vary in price and have different advantages and disadvantages.
Why Do Gerbils Need Bedding?
Gerbil bedding, or substrate, is the layer of material that lines the bottom of the gerbilarium. There are many reasons why gerbils need substrate in their tank or cage:
How Much Bedding Should Gerbils Have?
Whichever bedding you choose, your gerbils need a deep layer to burrow in. The substrate should be at least 6 to 7 inches thick.
How Often Should I Change Gerbils Bedding?
How often to change gerbil bedding depends on which substrate you use. Change the substrate when you notice the gerbilarium beginning to smell.
What is Carefresh pet bedding?
Carefresh Small Pet Bedding is one of the most popular gerbil bedding options. It’s made using paper fibers that are processed into small chunks.
How long does Carefresh keep gerbils?
It can prevent odors for up to 10 days. Carefresh comes in many colors, including natural (brown), white, and confetti (multicolored). It’s dyed with natural materials, so the colored pieces are safe for your gerbil to chew. As with most beddings, your gerbils will struggle to burrow in Carefresh alone.
