Gerbils, also called desert rats, are accustomed to burrowing in the sand and experiencing hot temperatures. Because of this, caged gerbils do not have the natural environments necessary for them to thrive. Owners must provide the appropriate supplies and care for their pet in order to prevent stress and provide them with a comfortable living environment. Here are some reasons why keeping gerbils in cages is cruel to them.
Good reason to keep gerbils in cages
While gerbils are adorable pets, they need their own space to thrive. The cage should be away from poorly-insulated areas, such as air conditioning systems. Gerbils also need mental stimulation, such as climbing structures and exercise wheels. The cage should also allow for supervised out-of-cage time. Because of their sensitive senses, it’s best to consider a gerbilarium if space is limited.
When gerbils are confined, they’ll need to move around frequently to reach and inspect their surroundings. To do this, you need to get up and play with your gerbil, which is why the cage is a great place for them to exercise. Also, cages prevent your gerbils from becoming tame, so a smaller gerbil will feel frightened if you put it in a cage.
Gerbils are not able to tunnel in hay alone, so they have to chew on it. Hay helps keep gerbils’ teeth in good shape. You can buy wooden chew toys for your gerbil or small branches from fruit trees. These materials are natural and will not contain pesticides. Gerbils also like to burrow and dig, so you can add cardboard tubes to your gerbil’s cage. You can also use flat rocks and other flat surfaces to give them something to burrow in.
Keeping gerbils in cages poses a threat to ecosystems
Keeping gerbils in cages is not the best idea, as the animals naturally live in communities and form nests in their natural habitats. However, gerbils are susceptible to declaning, a process that leads to a larger group of animals having larger territories. While this may sound harmless, it is a serious problem for both the animals and the ecosystems.
The small gerbils are small and relatively harmless, but their presence in the wild is threatening the ecosystems of many states. While they are not particularly dangerous to humans, the small animals could make native species extinct in California and Hawaii. Moreover, many countries are banning their importation, including Hawaii and California. Keeping gerbils in cages can harm a variety of ecosystems.
Although these animals can be kept at home safely, many people choose to release them into the wild. In addition to the risks of accidental release, gerbils can become pregnant and can give birth. If the young gerbils end up in the wild, they could cause a breeding colony. In this way, gerbils may also threaten the habitat of other species such as kangaroo rats, which are already in decline.
Keeping gerbils in cages is cruel to gerbils
Gerbils are naturally social animals and should not be kept in cages by themselves. They like to play together, snuggle together, and sleep in piles. As a result, they are happier in pairs than alone. They are best kept in pairs, as breeding a pair is not only cruel to the parents, but also to the offspring. Keep your pet gerbils in pairs to maximize their happiness and health.
Another problem with gerbils is that they chew on wood and plastic. They may chew through the wood, so make sure the wood isn’t too thick. If you can’t provide them with these necessities, consider adopting a different pet. They may be more cuddly and less likely to gnaw on your house. Nevertheless, you must remember that gerbils are social animals, so cages should not be large and unnecessarily restrict their movements.
The gerbils you choose should not be placed near any air conditioning systems or poorly insulated areas. They are particularly susceptible to snakes and cats, which will view them as potential prey. A friendly dog may also hurt them by playing with them. A dog-proof room is ideal, but if you don’t want to keep your gerbils in a room that isn’t safe for them, consider a separate place for it.
