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About Sheila Adby
Expertise
Syrian hamsters are my specialty, however, I have kept Campbells,Winter Whites and gerbils in the past. I can advise on most subjects associated with hamsters, including housing, bedding, feeding, handling, new borns and catching escapees. I have had some experience of various health problems with hamsters and can offer my opinion and advice on basic health issues, however I am not a qualified vet and therefore cannot recommend drugs etc. My website is www.thehamstersite.com

Experience
I have been keeping hamsters and other small animals for more than 12 years. My favourites are Syrian hamsters and I foster litters and 'difficult' hamsters for a rescue centre. My job is to tame hamsters ready for re-homing, which is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy looking after new litters and raising the pups. I have co-written a book on hamsters with my local vet and have a website: www.thehamstersite.com

Publications
Hamsters in Sickness and in Health - Sheila Adby and Dan O'Neill ISBN186163218-5 (Capall Bann Publishing)

Education/Credentials
Educated to A Level standard in the UK.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Gerbils & Hamsters > gerbils

Gerbils & Hamsters - gerbils

Expert: Sheila Adby - 11/4/2009

Question
Hi, I'm hoping to be a new gerbil owner soon and wanted to know a few things. I've already researched everything I need to know. I'm very responsible, caring and I will put the gerbil first. I just can't find about how much the occasional vet bill is. Like, check ups and vaccinations. Also, I've been wanting a pet for so long now, earning my parents trust and doing everything I can to get the to say yes. I know that all pets take lots of work and I'm ready. Are gerbils a good pet for me? Should I get one? Please answer my questions as soon as you can. Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Marie

In terms of vet bills I'm afraid I can't advise you as I live in the UK and don't know how much they charge in the US. It would be a good idea to phone one or two local vets and find out what their standard consultation fee is and also if they are happy to treat small animals as some won't.

It is worth finding this out beforehand as, whilst you might find you never need a vet, if you do need to see a vet you don't want a huge unexpected bill and when an animal is sick often you go to the first vet you can find, which isn't always the best/cheapest.

These little creatures don't need vaccinations or regular check ups. They only need to go to a vet if they injure themselves or develop any illness. Some illnesses can be treated at home without the intervention of a vet. Obviously, serious injuries (if they fall and hurt themselves) or serious illnesses (if the animal collapses, or displays signs of being unwell) will need veterinary attention and medication (antibiotics, pain relief etc.) but less serious conditions can be treated at home.

In terms of whether or not a gerbil is right for you is hard for me to answer - gerbils are great fun but I would usually suggest getting two (same sex). Providing they are related and have never been separated they should be fine together. Occasionally they squabble and if they start to fight seriously you would need to separate them, but I have found this to be rare. In the wild they live in groups and it is good to have more than one. If you can't do this, then a single one is OK - it is just a case of giving him a lot of extra attention. I've had several groups of gerbils and also single ones. The key thing is to make sure they have a big enough tank to live in (not soft plastic as they will chew a hole in it - so glass or hard Perspex is best) and you give them plenty to chew - when I have gerbils I usually ask all my friends and neighbors to save their toilet rolls as they love to chew these and make a deep bedding for them to burrow in. Gerbils are very entertaining and I love having them, but I have always found that even when they are very tame they aren't that easy to handle - this is because they are often fast and don't particularly want to sit still.

Hamsters are often easier to tame into routines and easier to handle. If you opt for a hamster I would strongly advise a Syrian, rather than a dwarf. Syrians are nocturnal but you can get them into a routine for them to wake up earlier in the day. Males tend to sleep more than females. Females are often awake on and off during the day and I find them to have more interesting personalities. They need a large wire cage so that they can climb (I always avoid the tubular types as they are difficult to keep clean and also can attract condensation). The cage needs to be large enough to fit a large wheel (the standard wheels that come in most cages are too small for the adult Syrian).

It is hard for me to recommend either one as they are so different - I love both types but they both make a very different pet. The key thing is that whichever type you end up getting that they look bright and well and hopefully can already be handled. Some of the pet shops buy them from breeders and they've never been handled before. It is better to try and find a pet shop that sells pets that local people have bred (intentionally or not) or try and find a pet rescue as they will know the personalities. When you get your pet it is important to spend the first couple of weeks trying to win its confidence and getting it tame as your relationship with it will be much better.

I hope this helps you.

Regards

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