For those that want a different variety of animal, a pet gerbil is a great option. These particular pets are good for those that want an extra friend or a sixth member of the family. By caring for your gerbils correctly, you will have the ability to ensure that they stay happy pets and members of your family for a long time.
Gerbils are considered exotic pets, meaning that there instinctual behaviors need to be looked into. Even if they are born into a domestic setting, there characteristics have not changed. This means that you will have to make sure to understand and meet their characteristics, and will have to work on training them to being a well-rounded pet.
The best thing that you can do for a gerbil as an exotic animal is to make sure that they have a comfortable place to live. Most who have gerbils will get things such as running balls so that the gerbils can get the exercise that they need every day. You will also want to cover the bottom of the gerbil cage with special wood chips, which is natural to their habitat. Make sure to get the best gerbil food and combine this with fruits and vegetables as part of their daily eating routine.
After you have met the basic needs of your gerbil, you can begin to take everything a step further. By beginning to handle your pet, you will be able to slowly gain their trust and ability to make them into a complete member of your family. While this takes consistent effort and care, gerbils are considered smart, making the training easy with a few rules.
The first thing to keep in mind with your gerbil is how you will handle it. This begins by picking up the gerbil underneath their belly for support. You never want to pick up a gerbil by the tail. Their instinct will be to bite because it is uncomfortable. When you hold the gerbil, support their entire body in a cup in your hand. You can make it even more comfortable for them by petting the back of their neck.
If your gerbil is not used to the environment or you, then make sure that you move slowly in order to get to the step of picking them up. You can do simple things like speak around them so that they get used to their presence. When the gerbil starts warming up to their new home, you can give them extra treats, like sunflower seeds. This will help them to become more accustomed to their environment.
As time goes on, the gerbil will get more used to your presence. As this happens, you can begin petting them. When they get used to your touch, then you can try to let them climb into your hand. Over a period of time, you will notice that they are accustomed to you and you can take them wherever you want, even as a member of the dinner table.
Dealing with gerbils as pets can be rewarding if you like smaller and snugly creatures. By approaching them correctly and making sure that they have the proper set up and environment, you can be certain that your gerbil will go to bed at night with a smile on their face. Beginning with small steps, and working towards gaining your gerbils trust is the best way to make sure they become one of the family.