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Posts: 1
From:Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-30-2003 09:48 PM         

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I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on how to make gerbils a little more friendly. Reason being, I have 3 adolescent gerbils at the moment. All are boys and all came from the same store at the same time. I've had gerbils before, but never more then one at a time and all of them have been very friendly and cuddly. These little guys aren’t as friendly and seem to be scared more then anything.

They get regular treats, tons of card board boxes to chew and play with and I always make sure they have the best food with as little fat as possible. The love the two wheels I have in there home and run on them constantly. The problem is that they don't seem to like being handled at all. They always run away and some times try and jump on the floor. Since I have had them, I have tried to handle them every day so that they get used to it, but that doesn’t seem to have worked. Does anyone have any tips that I could try?

Thanks

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Posts: 1392
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-08-2003 12:36 PM         

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You could try offering them really yummy treats by hand. My mice like shelled sunflower seeds. Either hold it in your fingers or put it on your hand and then just leave your hand in the cage, very still, until they come to investigate. When they get brave enough to stand on your hand to eat the treat, then you can try slowly lifting your hand just a little, and gently closing your fingers around the gerbil - loosely!

It will take a lot of time. Most of my mice have eventually settled down with regular handling. With mice, you can tell when they are not so nervous because they quit pooping all over you!

Jamiya

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Posts: 18
From:Tulsa, OK U.S.A.
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-22-2003 02:22 PM         

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I raised gerbils for many years when I was younger. By far, they are my favorite small pet! For the most part, mine have been very friendly and sociable. However, I had one imparticular that wasn't very friendly and would even bite on occasion. Eventually, she became pretty tame. You just have to keep trying to work with them everyday. But do not overly harrass them. A few minutes a day, maybe a couple of times each day, should be fine. One thought for you-- when you reach in the cage, do it palm-side up. Your hand appears less threatening that way. Offering treats by hand is a great idea as well. Your gerbil may never be as friendly as the others, but in time it should come to fear you less and less. Good luck!

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Posts: 14
From:Berwick,ME
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-09-2003 02:20 PM         

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I HAVE TWO FEMALE GERBILS AND THEY DONT LIKE TO BE HANDLED AT ALL.I WOULD JUST TRY TO HANDLE THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

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Posts: 39
From:
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-31-2003 04:23 PM         

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gerbils r highly energetic animalz and do not like just sitting and cuddling unless they r over weight or sick. i have 2 of my own and i play with them on the floor and on stairs and just let them have a good run and get rid of some energy.gerbils r not cuddly if u want a more cuddly pet try a teddy bear hampster or a ferret.

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Posts: 21
From:Houston, Tx, USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-06-2004 01:34 PM         

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Hi There, I just got two gerbils for my first gerbil owning experience. I've been searching for information on them and this is my first time on the board. I have 2 male gerbils, one black and one white. The black one is sweet and shy, and the white one is very mean and unfriendly. I've been bitten by him 6 times in the past 3 days, I first thought I must be doing something wrong but he actually comes at me and attacks. It's very disturbing. If anyone has any info on this behavior or what I should do, please reply or email me at allthebeauty@hotmail.com

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Posts: 21
From:Houston, Tx, USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-21-2004 10:24 AM         

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I am making progress with my "insane gerbil" as I had lovingly named him. He has not lunged at me in two days. I still think the little guy is kind of evil.. my other two just play in their fluff and shred up toilet paper rolls faster than I can use up the TP.. haha

[This message has been edited by AmyGerbilGirl (edited 01-21-2004).]

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Posts: 74
From:USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-24-2004 03:49 PM         

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Well this is a sad story...

My friend had a hampster and sometimes she smacked it and she said "I'm bored" and when he had little actidents she would smack it on his head. And I heard like a month ago that he ran away (I m not surprised) and she got another one. Isn't that just cruel?

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