How to Buy Gerbils

Deciding on gerbils as your families pets is only the first step. There are many other things to consider when purchasing gerbils. You want to make sure the choice you make is the right one since you are making a commitment to care for that animal or animals for life. Create a checklist from the following information and you will be home with a new gerbil in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Money to buy the gerbil
• Knowledge on how to pick out the right gerbils
• A cage
• Toys
• Water bottle
• Food
• Cardboard items

How to Buy a Gerbil

1. Choose the way you want to find the gerbil that is right for you. You have three basic choices when it comes to purchasing a gerbil: a gerbil breeder, a pet shop, or an animal shelter. Each has its good points and its bad points. For the most part a breeder is the best option because you will know 100% of the gerbils details. Pet Shops may have some of the information you are looking for, but they might not have all of it. Shelters may not know anything about the gerbil and the gerbil may have been abused.

2. Make sure the gerbil you want is healthy. Some of the things you want to look for are bright eyes, sleek fur (not rough), no wounds from fighting another gerbil and no runny noses. Checking for these things before you purchase a gerbil can increase your chances of choosing a healthy pet.

3. Purchase two healthy gerbils. Gerbils do much better when they have a mate and they prefer it that way. It is highly recommended that you buy two.

4. Purchase a cage for your gerbils. Make sure the cage is spacious enough for 2 gerbils and provides a few activities that will keep the gerbils from becoming bored. They should have some tubes they can run through, a wheel they can run in, and some cardboard (toilet paper rolls) to tear apart.

5. Purchase an upright water bottle that can be attached to the side of the cage. Don't make your gerbils climb for their water it should be low enough that the gerbil can reach it.

6. Purchase food with a variety of ingredients in it. This will give your gerbils the well balanced diet they need. Make sure the food you choose is also fortified with vitamins for optimal health.

7. Show your gerbils lots of love.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn as much as you can about gerbils before you set you to make a purchase. This is the best way to ensure that you don't let some salesman talk you in to buying a sick gerbil.
• When shopping for a healthy pair of gerbils be sure to check out all the gerbils in the cage. If any of them look sick purchase gerbils from another dealer. One sick gerbil can infect the whole gang of gerbils it shares a cage with.