Really O/T but here goes...

[frankycee]

Hi guys, I know this is off topic, but seems that there's always a guy on here that has an answer for anything...so here goes.

My 6 year old kid wants a Gerbil, and I must say that i'm not against the idea, but would like opinions on th subject...

So anyone have experience about gerbil care an maintenance? hard to keep or not?

I know theres gerbil-specific forums, but those people wont be objective...

Any help is appreciated

[Bigasshammm]

Pretty easy to take care of as long as you stick with it. Constant cleaning of the cage feeding and watering. For the most part they're quiet. You'll et enjoyment if you have any cats in the house as well.

They do tend to get loose from time to time. Not sure how but I guess they wouldn't have made a movie about ninja gerbils if it didn't have some truth. Make sure the lids on nice n tight and all should be well. With proper care they can live a few years.

[Phantom ordie]

They require constant care to live any length of time.Sometimes you will get a mean one.

[Camus272]

I've had some, and I think they make great pets. I used to have a pair - Maverick and Goose. I recommend a glass cage and not wire, that helps prevent them from getting out. Otherwise, I think care is pretty easy.

Brian

[yardbird78]

Both Gerbils and Hampsters are normally nocturnal creatures and are not especially happy to be awake during the day. They are not naturally loving animals that enjoy handling, especially by small children. I would recommend a Guinea Pig instead. They are day time animals that crave affection and attention. They require a slightly larger cage, about the same amount of care/feeding/cleaning etc, but make better pets.

Darwin

Edited May 15, 2012 by yardbird78

[phantom]

My cat speaks very highly of them.

[sharkey]

My cat speaks very highly of them.

lol

[madmanrick]

I raised a lot of gerbils when I was younger. What I can tell you is this, gerbils can be fairly simple to care for, however as mentioned by others, they are indeed escape artists. They also aren't very fond of being handled and I can speak from experience, that they have very sharp teeth. Also, make sure you do not get a mating pair or you'll have baby gerbils before you know it. Also, as with many rodents, if you disturb the babies (by handling etc.), the mother will kill them. I would agree with the recommendation of a guinea pig, as they are bit more gentle and little less temperamental.

BTW, gerbils are indeed nocturnal and tend to make the most noise, digging and running on their wheel, when humans are trying to sleep. Be forewarned!

[Sunliner]

I would hesitate to visit a gerbil-specific forum. Might get weird quick.

[CorsairMan]

I would hesitate to visit a gerbil-specific forum. Might get weird quick.

that was GOLD.....

[GEH737]

I had a pair as a kid many years ago. Soon - they became many... Have an expert check if they are both male or female. They will eat their babies. They do make a lot of noise at night - some are very docile, others, not so much and they do have very sharp teeth and will bite. Many years later, my son wanted a mouse. We were told that rats make much better pets, are much smarter, and are very clean. That's what he wound up getting - and it was pretty hassle free - and as advertised.

Hitch

[Kalashnikov-47]

Hamsters and gerbils are quiet. I had some when I was a kid. They require care, as previously pointed out, but that could be a good thing for teaching responsibility.

I'd never consider a guinea pig. I knew nothing about them until my sister got a couple. Disgusting, dirty and obnoxious animals. No wonder they eat guinea pigs in S. America.

[rpeck]

We had Gerbils growing up but I would not get any again. They do escape easy ,there was one that lived in the kitchen base boards for a week before we got it back in the cage. My mom was mad!!.They do eat each otherand I mean not much left, hard to grasp if your 10 years old.Not very cutie after that.LOL

I knew some one with a Guinea Pig and they are a better pet.

[Bigasshammm]

Hamsters and gerbils are quiet. I had some when I was a kid. They require care, as previously pointed out, but that could be a good thing for teaching responsibility.

I'd never consider a guinea pig. I knew nothing about them until my sister got a couple. Disgusting, dirty and obnoxious animals. No wonder they eat guinea pigs in S. America.

That gif looks exactly like my cat Mr White.

I had a guinea pig in my early teens. He was pretty cool but was damn annoying. Always screaming for carrots.

[frankycee]

Thanks guys.

As always this place is full of guys that have lots to say about every and anything, model related or not.

I think I'm gonna get some gerbils... I guess I'm in need of some new criters in the house, after tha cat and the stupid-ish fish...

[FM-Whip]

I would hesitate to visit a gerbil-specific forum. Might get weird quick.

Gerbils in Hollywood!

[Bigasshammm]

I would agree with already stated get only one gerbil or put them in separate cages. They'll either mate or kill each other. Either way not pretty.

[frankycee]

That's funny, I thought that was Hamsters (that kill eachother)... I thought Gerbils thrived as pair of females or males...

Maybe I will have to visit a gerbil forums (shivers)

[Moose135]

My cat speaks very highly of them.

Tastes like chicken...

We had a gerbil when I was a youngster. You could hear him (her?) running on his wheel all night. It was funny - when we first got him, he would run for a while, get off the wheel and look around, then run in the opposite direction. Finally, when he realized he wasn't going anywhere, he would run in the same direction all the time.

[Aaronw]

Gerbils are neat little critters, they will eat each other but unlike hamsters that shouldn't be a problem if they are well fed. They are amazingly fast, mice and rats scurry, gerbils teleport.

I've had most of the common furry things at some point, you can not top guennia pigs for ease of care and gentleness. They are fairly slow moving so easy to catch if they get out of the cage. They can be noisy and demand attention, which is either cute or annoying depending on your view of their squeals. I would rate them #1 for small children, just keep non food items away, we lost some when I was a kid because a kid my mom was babysitting gave them Ajax and the idiots ate it.

Rats are not nearly as cute as the other small rodents, but I'd rate them right behind guennia pigs for small children. They are easily tamed, and then become very tolerant of handling. I can't recall any kids ever being bitten by a rat I owned. They are faster so harder to catch than a guennia pig, but also much quieter (nearly silent) if the talkative pigs annoy you.

Rabbits have most of the positive characteristics of guennia pigs, but are much quieter. Also quite a bit larger approaching cat size. My cousin has had several that she was able to house break like a dog or cat allowing them to roam the house. A particularly aggressive cat can give them trouble, but they are usually able to take care of themselves pretty well.

Gerbils are very cute, and if they become used to handling are pretty docile. Until you get them used to people they do bite. They are also blindingly fast, and not easy to hang onto. They would make a good cat treat, but are fast enough to make the cats job difficult.

Mice are cute, but bite, escape often and are not easy to hold onto. They don't last long around cats. In general not a great pet for kids.

Hamsters are very cute, but also nasty evil things. They make terrible pets being dumb, cannibalistic, wretched little biting things. Cats will make short work of them if they get out.