Can I use play sand for my gerbils?

Can I use play sand for my gerbils?

Sand baths can be very good for a gerbil’s fur. Sand can be found at pet stores (sold as chinchilla sand) or from hardware stores (sold as children’s play sand). Remember to choose sand, not dust or powder. Dust and powder contain finer particles than sand, which can irritate gerbils’ sensitive respiratory systems.

Do gerbils need a sand bath in their cage?

Instead of bathing gerbils in water as you would a human, gerbils need ‘sand baths’. Sand baths involve the gerbil rolling around in a small pot of sand, an activity which looks rather strange but actually gives the animal a chance to give its fur a good scrub and to free itself of dirt.

What can I use for a gerbils sand bath?

Chinchilla sand will do just fine. Make sure to buy sand and not dust, as this can cause respiratory problems. Use a bowl that won’t tip over easily. Your pet will be scrabbling around in the sand, so a flat base is best.

How often should you bathe a gerbil sand?

To get your gerbil’s coat shiny, give it a sand bath! 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.

Why is calcium sand bad for gerbils?

Re: Calcium Carbonate in hamster food and reptile sand. Calcium sand is bad, not because of the calcium content, but because it clumps up and turns hard as a rock when wet, making it a choking/impaction hazard.

Do gerbils need salt licks?

Gerbils don’t need salt licks. Almost all owners don’t give their gerbil one. That’s because they get enough sodium from the rest of their diet. The ideal food is gerbil food mix.

Can I use reptile sand for my gerbil?

The internet has instilled a deep fear of chinchilla dust and even sand, causing groups and forums to encourage the use of playsand or reptile sand. Its for this reason that I strongly recommend you do not keep dust or sand in your gerbils cage.

Why do gerbils like to play in the sand?

Thumping is also an important part of the mating ritual. Gerbils will often groom themselves, including one another. As well as the benefits to their coats, this is an important part of their social interaction. They also appreciate being offered sand for taking a dust bath (they will roll and play in the sand, which helps clean their fur).

What do you need for a gerbil sand bath?

Gerbil sand baths are simple and quick to set up. All you will need is a container to use as the bath, and sand to fill it. You will also need a product to clean it with, such as a disinfectant spray or antibacterial soap. There are many options when it comes to choosing a gerbil sand bath.

How does a gerbil groom in the desert?

Gerbils naturally thrive in the desert. Because their natural habitat is dry and sandy, gerbils are not used to bathing in water. Instead, they take what is known as a “dust bath,” which means they roll around in sand and use it to groom the exterior coat.

What kind of behavior does a gerbil have?

Gerbils will often groom themselves, including one another. As well as the benefits to their coats, this is an important part of their social interaction. They also appreciate being offered sand for taking a dust bath (they will roll and play in the sand, which helps clean their fur). Gerbils make a high-pitched squeak—but mainly as youngsters.

Thumping is also an important part of the mating ritual. Gerbils will often groom themselves, including one another. As well as the benefits to their coats, this is an important part of their social interaction. They also appreciate being offered sand for taking a dust bath (they will roll and play in the sand, which helps clean their fur).

Gerbils naturally thrive in the desert. Because their natural habitat is dry and sandy, gerbils are not used to bathing in water. Instead, they take what is known as a “dust bath,” which means they roll around in sand and use it to groom the exterior coat.

How much sand do you put in a bathtub for a gerbil?

Pour ½ inch (1.27 cm) of chinchilla sand into the bathtub. You want to fill the bathtub with just enough sand for your gerbil to bathe, which should be less than half the depth of the bathtub. The sand shouldn’t be deep enough for your gerbil to burrow.

Gerbils will often groom themselves, including one another. As well as the benefits to their coats, this is an important part of their social interaction. They also appreciate being offered sand for taking a dust bath (they will roll and play in the sand, which helps clean their fur). Gerbils make a high-pitched squeak—but mainly as youngsters.