Keeping a Gerbil

Gerbils are cute, friendly, and tame, if raised from a young age. They only need a small cage or aquarium, and are very cheap to buy and care for. They also breed readily and easily.

To stock a gerbil cage or tank, you only need a bottle, bowl, litter, and wheel. They also can run in a small hamster ball, and can run through tunnels. Also gerbils enjoy chewing. They need chew toys and toilet paper/paper towel rolls to gnaw on.

My cousin had a gerbil for a while. He was very tame and friend

Gerbils can be very delightful pets, although usually short lived.

A pile of gerbils. Gerbils are very sociable animals. It is best to get at least two.

A very cute little gerbil.

Most popular small animal names

Again, I don't know how old this list is, but the names still are popular.

1. Bandit
2. Gizmo
3. Thumper
4. Daisy
5. Smokey
6. Baby
7. Nibbles/ Nibbler
8. Oreo
9. Flower
10. Peanut 

And, yes, I'm none with "most popular pet names"!

What Small Animal Should You Get? Test

If you honestly answer these questions, you will know what rodent or other small mammal you should get. At the end of the test add up all the points to get your result.

1. How much time do you have for a pet per day? 
 A. 15-30 minutes (10 points)
 B. 30 minutes- 1 hour (20)
 C. Over 1 hour (30)


2. How much can you afford to spend on your pet when you get it?

 A. Under $30 (10)
 B. $30- $75  (20)
 C.  Over $75 (30)

3.  What size of a cage can you have?

A. Small enough to fit on a dresser or desk (15)
B. As big as it takes (30)


4. Will the pet live indoors?

A. Yes (15)
B. No (30)

5. How cuddly do you want your pet to be?

A. Cuddliness doesn't matter as long as it's tame enough to pick up (10)
B.  I want to be able to hold it easily (20)
C. I want it to big enough to sit in my lap for petting (30)


6. How will you exercise the pet?

A. Let it run around in a ball (10)
B. Let it run around free in a safe enclosed area (20)
C. Let it explore the house and/or fenced in yard or run or go for a walk on a leash (30)



If your score is under 80 get a.. hamster, gerbil, or mouse
If your score is between 80- 140 get a... rat, guinea pig, or dwarf rabbit
If your score is  over 140 get a... larger rabbit, ferret, or chinchilla
  



     

Exercize and Attention for Your Rodent, Rabbit, or Ferret.

Even though these animals may be rather small, they still need plenty of exercise! Since all of these animals are different, here are their basic requirements of time spent out of the cage.

Hamster, gerbil, mouse, rat: A half hour run outside the cage daily will be enough for these small creatures. Handle them every day or else they may lose their tameness. Be very careful not to let them escape! It is better to let them run in a ball around the house instead of letting them run free.

Guinea pig, rabbit: If possible, give a guinea pig or rabbit at least an hour of time outside of its cage. They love to be held and petted. They can go outside if the weather is right. They love to graze in a yard. Outdoors, a guinea pig or rabbit must be watched at all times, or else use a run. 

Chinchilla: At least half an hour of time outside of their cage. They also need attention and petting! They can only go outside in very mild weather.

Ferret: Ferrets should have an hour to run around each day, preferably more. They need lots of attention too. Never let a ferret outside of the house with out a leash on!

Foster a Pet

Pet keeping can be expensive. Would you like to take a pet into your home - free? I have some questions and answers about fostering pets.

Where can I get pets to foster?  Animal shelters or Humane Societies will probably have pets to foster.

What pets can I foster? The animals that are usually fostered are dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits, ferrets, or birds.

You may be able to foster puppies to young to be adopted, like these puppies, along with the litter's mother.

What are some problems with fostering? Eventually you will have to give the pet to someone else. This can be sad, especially if you have had the animal for several months.You will probably also have to pay for some pet keeping costs.

What will the shelter pay for? The shelter will probably cover the following: food, vet bills, and litter (if needed.) If you go on vacation, you can often just return the animal to the shelter, saving you the cost of a pet sitter.

What will I pay for? You will probably have to pay for a cage or kennel, bed (for a dog or cat), and toys.

How can I foster a pet? Anywhere from days to months.Some animals never get adopted. Sometimes the shelter will take the animal back after a while, but you might be able to foster it again later. If someone decides to adopt the pet you are fostering, you will have to, of course, give it to them. then you can foster another pet!

Fostering a pet is a great idea. A house is a much better place for a pet then a shelter. (If you haven't already done so, check out my post A Trip to the Humane Society) I personally would like to foster small birds and small mammals.