Ask The Gerbils

Dear Smurf,

Our gerbils are really entergetic, and they love coming out of their cage. Since you are a gerbil yourself, I was wondering, are there any games that you like to play with your owner? If so, please tell me how to play them with my gerbils. Thanks!

From,

Kelly

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Hi Kelly,

Thanks for writing to me! I’m so excited. This is the first question someone sent to me!

The types of games that you play with gerbils are different than the types of games you play with a pet like a dog, but we can still have a lot of fun with you!

With Halloween right around the corner, your gerbils would probably enjoy it if you made them a treat-filled Halloween ghost!

Soon, it will be winter, and then your gerbils can have fun making paper snowflakes!

Gobo and I love opening these homemade gerbil toys and finding treats inside!

If it’s okay with everyone in your home, you might also think about giving your gerbils some playtime in the tub.

We also love to play with wooden bird ladders and plain brown paper lunch sacks. The lunch sacks are especially fun!

I hope those ideas help!

Your buddy,

Smurf

Hi Hallie

I just got two gerbils. They throw their bedding EVERYWHERE. They even end up covering up their food bowl.

Will they be able to find their food, or do I have to constantly uncover it? They are only seven weeks old.

Thanks,

Megan

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Hi Megan,

It’s very normal for gerbils to rearrange their bedding, and it’s also very normal for us to cover our food bowls.

We like to bury our food, because it lets us hide it and keep it safe so that no one else takes it. Sometimes, we also like to bury our favorite toys, too.

Don’t worry. Your gerbils WILL be able to find their food, and you won’t have to uncover the food bowl for them. When they're hungry, they’ll dig through the bedding and get something to eat. :)

Your friend,

Hallie