Gerbils are very hygienic pets, so they like to live in a clean environment. When cleaning your cage, your gerbil should not be in it as the cleaning chemicals might harm their skin and fur. So, it’s good to take them out of the cage and put them in a safe place.
However, it would help if you put them in a secure place where they will not escape or get hurt by other animals. This article will check some ideas for putting your Gerbils when you clean your cage.
Let’s get started!
Where to Put My Gerbils When I Clean My Cage
1. A Bucket
You can put your gerbils in a bucket when cleaning your cage. A deep bucket would be suitable, as your gerbil will not be able to jump or climb trying to escape. You can also consider putting gerbil toys inside the bucket to play with, so they don’t get bored.
2. A Bathtub
A bathtub is a safe and secure place to put your gerbils while you clean their cage. Bathtubs have smooth sides, so it will be hard for them to try climbing and escaping.
3. Travel Cage
You can put your gerbil in a small animal travel cage for a while before you finish cleaning its cage. Ensure the bag’s bars are made of metals, as gerbils love to chew a lot.
4. Small Animal Playpen
If you put your gerbil on a small animal playpen, ensure you put a wire mesh over its top because gerbils are skilled climbers who might try to climb and escape.
5. Glass Tank
If you have an unused spare aquarium, you can put your gerbil in it. Ensure the aquarium has a lid with ventilation to supply air.
Do Gerbils Like When You Clean Their Cage?
Gerbils are exceptionally hygienic, and they like their spaces clean. Still, it’s essential to clean their cage more often to keep them clean.
However, gerbils rely on familiar smells to make them feel safe. So, when you are done cleaning their bedding or any other thing from their cage, ensure you put them back.
How Often Should You Change Gerbil Bedding?
Gerbils also like clean and fresh bedding too. So, their bedding needs to be cleaned at least once per week but more often if you have more gerbils in the cage. Gerbils tend to help themselves in one place, so it’s easier for you to clean their cage.
How Do You Clean a Gerbil Habitat?
To wash your gerbil’s habitat, use a disinfectant or soap, water, and soap and scrub it thoroughly. Remove the dirty bedding and replace it with new ones. Scrub the corners, cage wires, floor, and sides to ensure the cage is clean and sparkling.
Where Do Gerbils Go to the Bathroom?
Most gerbils like to poop and pee in their bedding. However, you can train them to use a litter tray. This is more hygienic than using their bedding. You can add chinchilla sand or sand to the litter tray; with time, they will get used to it.
Do Gerbils Need a Hideout?
Yes, they do. Sometimes they need to hide from things that frighten them, like dogs or cats. However, if there is plenty of bedding in their cage, that should be a perfect hideout because they can cover themselves with it.
What Can I Use Instead of Gerbil Bedding?
You can use cardboard shavings or refresh. They make cozy and soft bedding great for tunneling. Also, they are digestible, and your gerbils won’t get tangled in them. Furthermore, you can also use shredded paper as they are cheap to acquire.
What Should You Not Do With a Gerbil?
You should avoid putting anything made of plastic in your gerbil’s cage. Gerbils love to chew anything they encounter and ingest what they chew. Plastic can harm your pet’s health, so they should stay away from plastics.
What is the Best Habitat for a gerbil?
Terrariums and glass aquariums make the best habitats for gerbils. These containers are easy to clean, cheap, and give a view for you to watch your gerbil. Since they are made of glass, gerbils cannot chew them.
Where Do Gerbils Like to Sleep?
Gerbils are very particular about where they sleep. They like deep layers of bedding so they can nest and tunnel. They need at least five inches of bedding over their cage’s floor to have enough materials to create tunnels and nestings.
Final Words
It is vital to clean the cage of your gerbil regularly so your gerbil can feel comfortable in it. Since you cannot wash the cage when gerbils are inside, putting them in a secure place is equally important.
Above are ideas on where to put your gerbil when cleaning your cage. The places are safe, and your gerbil will not escape.
