Migratory behavior

Behavioral studies in the U.S. have shown that gerbils do not run randomly in the wheel. The first use of the wheel takes place after weaning by the mother, is raised to sexual maturity can be continuously and then back again. This correlates with field observations in Mongolia, where leaves from each litter some of the animals to the clan. These animals are on the move and should, if possible the achievement of sexual maturity have found their own territory and to set the hiking. It has further observed that low ranked run more in the wheel as senior that yes, the better chance to stay in the old district. The running motion in the wheel never lasts very long. There are always inserted pauses in which the animal is secured, listens and observes. This would also do a traveling animal outside its familiar territory.

Gerbils are preferably ...

... in terrariums or aquariums, the minimum base area 80 cm. The covers have been close. This accommodation offers to the cage two advantages. First, the animals run around and pawing at no litter spread around their base. And secondly, we thus preventing a possible escape. Since they can make her body extremely slender, escaped gerbils often by very close-knit mesh cage. Must be considered when choosing the location that the gerbils are active day and night, which may mean a disruption of sleep. In the wild, gerbils live in groups. Therefore, they should at least hold together. Since gerbils respond to other conspecifics extremely aggressive (with fights that usually end with the death of one of the two rivals, if there is no way to escape), are best littermates. When a couple's attitude should be by the extremely high rate of reproduction of male castration considered. As a small animal bedding or litter of untreated bird is sand. The system consists of: drinking tube / protective house / cave system (for example, by using cardboard tubes, plastic or clay pipes) / a small stone slab (for wear of the claws). A food dish is not necessary because the direct distribution of food on the welfare of the litter feeding may better suit. If, however, one well is situated, it must be increased because the animals usually buried him in a short time in the litter.

The institution:

In any case, the animals enough litter (about 20cm) offer that they can dig. Unfortunately, keeping up with the normal small animal litter the hallways not very good. Straw, cardboard tubes of various kinds (big enough to climb through), hay and other scattered locations stabilize the aisles. You must experiment with some scattered places and the right place.
Also can not be missing a drinking opportunity. The most suitable small animal watering (which can be fixed with a suction cup or adhesive Velcro on the glass). Bowls go, the water is dirty but are very fast or zugebuddelt.
A food dish does not need. Sprinkle the food simply to scatter.
A container that is used as a sand bath file. Candy jars are well suited here, because the races can carry the sand here is not so easy from the container. Care must be taken on a secure footing. So do not just make up on the fringe!
A shelter option that is large enough for all of the mice should not be missed. It is not necessarily a house. One level below which they can hide Renner enough already.
A wheel is optional. Some use it very much, others leave it to the left and dig better. That's up to au to the animals. If you would like to offer one should make sure that the risk of injury (no shear effect by cross members, continuous treadmill).
Toilet paper rolls, kitchen rolls etc are gnawed very much. So fast you can not even look sometimes. As nesting material should handkerchief / toilet paper etc are offered. Furthermore, hay. It is enough simply to put these things in the cage, the mice build their own nest then

Exceptional costs - Vet and medication

Under certain circumstances, high costs to get the support. The treatment costs are based on the fee schedule for Vets (GOT), after that the attending veterinarians on a time and easy to three times the rate may be calculated. Therefore, despite the fees for the same performance often results in very different costs. For example, incurred for a personal consultation with an inspection fee of 15 $. Depending on the diagnosis more or less high cost of necessary drugs can be expected. For emergencies, it is recommended to cover a monthly amount of about 8 $.

The institution:

In any case, the animals enough litter (about 20cm) offer that they can dig. Unfortunately, keeping up with the normal small animal litter the hallways not very good. Straw, cardboard tubes of various kinds (big enough to climb through), hay and other scattered locations stabilize the aisles. You must experiment with some scattered places and the right place.
Also can not be missing a drinking opportunity. The most suitable small animal watering (which can be fixed with a suction cup or adhesive Velcro on the glass). Bowls go, the water is dirty but are very fast or zugebuddelt.
A food dish does not need. Sprinkle the food simply to scatter.
A container that is used as a sand bath file. Candy jars are well suited here, because the races can carry the sand here is not so easy from the container. Care must be taken on a secure footing. So do not just make up on the fringe!
A shelter option that is large enough for all of the mice should not be missed. It is not necessarily a house. One level below which they can hide Renner enough already.
A wheel is optional. Some use it very much, others leave it to the left and dig better. That's up to au to the animals. If you would like to offer one should make sure that the risk of injury (no shear effect by cross members, continuous treadmill).
Toilet paper rolls, kitchen rolls etc are gnawed very much. So fast you can not even look sometimes. As nesting material should handkerchief / toilet paper etc are offered. Furthermore, hay. It is enough simply to put these things in the cage, the mice build their own nest then

Pet food allergies

Pet food allergies can be the most frustrating thing to have to deal with as an owner. Your pet has to continue to eat food in order to survive, but the food that he eats can also cause him a wide variety of mild to severe allergic reactions. It can be difficult to determine exactly which element of the Pet food is responsible for the Pet food allergie; a number of elimination diets that reduce or eliminate the presence of certain ingredients in his food will help you to determine exactly what is causing the Pet food allergie reaction.

The social behavior:

Gerbils should never be kept alone. They have a very strong sense of social behavior and need a partner with whom they can play and cuddle. Thus, it is not always young, one should opt for same-sex animals.
Unfortunately, they also have a strong territorial behavior. The result is that foreign animals are marketed with a lot Agrressivität / killed. One must keep gerbils never with other animals (eg mice color) together!
The group recognized by the group odor. Anything that smells like her own is attacked. Therefore one should touch the animals only if the hands do not smell after fragrances. So wash your hands without soap. Not doing so can the animal that you have touched, smelled of strong fragrances different and attacked.
This is one reason why non should be too large for more than two animals, the cage size. It provokes other disputes. That does not mean that you should pen in the animals, just so they do not argue.