How to TAME Your Gerbil!

[@finsandwhiskers]

So sorry for the lighting in this video! The gerbil enclosure is my room’s brightest location so it’s not great for filming your face next to it 😅 what was your favorite tip for taming?

[@Muddog-md7ob]

Probably the food😂 that’s how I’m motivated

[@maiasvlogs6371]

what I do is I put my hand in their enclosure and wait for them to come over and I did that a few times a day and that really helps

[@Gerbilsarefriends]

I keep coming back to this video, really love seeing how your tiny gerbers interact with you, makes the 3 weeks before I get my own two guys pass a bit faster :)

[@finsandwhiskers]

Aww thanks, I’m glad it helps!! Would love to see your gerbils on my insta story when you get them!

[@rebekah2216]

Omg I finally got gerbils thay are so cute 😍

[@finsandwhiskers]

Yay!!

[@demetraperry1157]

Same but I don't have 2 or 3 I got 1!!! :D

[@michellekarsinski4155]

Yeah they are really cute I have two I just got one today

[@rosajones2865]

@@demetraperry1157 hey i would definitely recommend getting a second one as they are social animals

[@flynn7453]

@@demetraperry1157 ...what

[@breannadavidson268]

It’s so wholesome to see you talk to them and when you space out and have your time with them is so sweet❤️

[@jonnysusi9783]

I just got me first two Gerbils, and I absolutely love your channel! Tons of useful information and something about your videos, the way you talk, your demenour, and the way you interact with them is just so incredibly wholesome and endearing :)

[@rachaelneer1881]

Thank you soooo much I just got my two male gerbils; biscuit and gravy yesterday and I was following along as it went and now they are sooooo muck better ( biscuit juped in my hand as I was writing this lol 😂)

[@ItzNotSoCreativeKyleigh]

Super underrated channel! There could be a few bugs in the videos but I still enjoy them so much!

[@marinab.6789]

Hi, I just want to say that your videos are incredibly helpful and thank you for making them. It's really a lot of help, especially now that I got two male gerbils!

[@finsandwhiskers]

I'm so glad!

[@thesmashingolives]

Hello! My husband and I just got gerbils, 2 Mongolian females. We love your videos!!

[@swededoghandler4358]

I got my gerbils, puff and pix on sunday and now it is friday, and Pix are that tame that i cane pick him up =) your tips are amazing

[@finsandwhiskers]

That’s awesome!!

[@swededoghandler4358]

@@annaluciagonzalez1608 thank you

[@Muddog-md7ob]

5:46 you 100% deserve to be happy. What your channel is about and who you are as a person is the purest I’ve seen on KZbin. I genuinely mean that. I’m happy I subscribed. Keep up your wholesome content and great work💜

[@finsandwhiskers]

You truly made me smile! Thank you so much!

[@Muddog-md7ob]

@@finsandwhiskers anytime :)

[@LadyVader]

Congratulations on 1k! You deserve it ❤❤❤ I love your little gerbils, I'm allergic to dogs and rodents 😭😭😭 I'm living vicariously through you and some other small animal channels 😁 Edit: I don't know if this would work with gerbils, but to get my bird more used to my voice and presence, when I first brought him home I sat by his cage and read out loud to him. Might be worth trying with small mammals as well!

[@finsandwhiskers]

That sounds so wholesome and fun to do!

[@LadyVader]

@@finsandwhiskers he really seemed to enjoy it. Now he's more into zombie movies and Kitchen Nightmares 😂😂 they grow up so fast!

[@Mysterystables214]

thank you this was so helpful the food tip is great I use it all the time!😁

[@Stuckinthevoid912]

Almond be like :🥲 where’s my food

[@finsandwhiskers]

Us introverts always left behind in shyness 🥲

[@victorc4_1234]

Awww they’re so adorable 🥺

[@juliapuppy8667]

OMG THEY ARE SO CUTE THE LITTLE GERBILS!!! :)

[@Canceos]

Thank you for sharing! I am thinking of getting gerbils for my sons so your videos are super helpful.

[@finsandwhiskers]

You’re an inspiring mom! Not many are willing to do the research for pets before giving them to children. Thank you! ♥️

[@PerfectAddi]

this helped me so much! I got mine a few days ago, i didnt know we werent supposted to handle them right away. I have heard that you should handle them forcefully so they can get used to it... but im defenitly going to correct myself! It has brang me down a little when i cant hold them... but in the end it will be worth it!

[@finsandwhiskers]

Forcing only takes you a few steps back in the wrong direction! I am happy you have decided to be patient! It’s worth it.

[@ItzNotSoCreativeKyleigh]

5:05 the almond the gerbil like: I WANT FOOD TO WHY DID U LEAVE ME OUT

[@dubliners0999]

Great video! Thanks so much. I also find that in addition to making a clicking noise and shaking a treat jar, I also put my hand in PALM DOWN and let them smell it. Then, after they get used to that, I put one good treat on the BACK of my hand and put my hand in the cage, again, PALM DOWN and let them get the treat from me. After a few weeks, they will allow me to put my hand in palm UP with a treat in the palm of my hand. I have a gerbil who is at this stage. She's very skittish. She will now allow me to cup both hands with a treat in the bottom. She will now sit in my hands and eat a treat. Sometimes she runs off with the treat, but other times, she stays in my hands. I am now practicing with slowly lifting my cupped hands with her in it. So far, so good. And like your video shows, she does let me pet her head gently while she's eating.

[@finsandwhiskers]

😂😂 I love your enthusiasm! It’s a wonderful way to get them used to you!!

[@justyouraveragefamily1029]

I love gerbils I love you as well

[@negan1445]

I've had my guys for almost 2 and half years and we have a good bond but still won't climb onto hands, but once out of their enclosure they love running and jumping on people. They love to bite toes though so you have to keep an eye on them 😂

[@ellierichardson1616]

That reminds me of my gerbils they love climbing on me but they dint like getting picked up

[@kazuho1244]

Ive had mine for two years too! Unfortunately, one of mine passed away a few months ago, at about 2 years, with (what I presume) was a pretty severe, fast escalating lung disease, but it was in the middle of covid, and I couldn't travel to the vets as he was only a gerbil :( he had lots of cuddles in his last few days, and his brother is still going strong, and has been for about 5 months

[@jonnyosman3790]

Congratulations on 1k subs. I have a video idea, could you please do a reacting to subscribers gerbil cages.

[@finsandwhiskers]

Someday!

[@gracek3939]

I got gerbils and I LOVE them sooooooo much! But they don’t trust me so this video totally helped 👍

[@briansilva9120]

How cute they are, congratulations on reaching your 1000 goal, lovely video well trained they are.

[@j.s.4819]

Wow, this is great. The light is perfect too. Keep it up, we have 2 gerbils and next week we get another 2. Hope I can work out what you manage too.

[@JeMiyah_was_here.]

I have a gerbil and my sister has a gerbil Thank you for making this video, I needed your help, also, NEW SUB!! 1st Gerbil 👇🏽 Name: August Gender: Male Age: Unknown Likes: Biting things, food, socializing, and being in my hand Dislikes: Dasher, Closed spaces, his current cage, empty water Appearance: Dark brown, white, and black, messy fur, small (obviously) 2nd Gerbil 👇🏽 Name: Dasher Gender: Male Age: Unknown Likes: His tubes, his bed, running over my arm, biting things, hiding Dislikes: Being in anyones hand, eating from anyones hand, being exposed Appearance: Light brown, brown, and white, clean fur, small (obviously)

[@lillemon4010]

107 MILLETS FOR ALMOND! enjoy!

[@lesleyksstentini1022]

I love your videos! There so good! I might get gerbils, and it's been really helpful to watch your videos!!!

[@finsandwhiskers]

Thank you, really happy I could help!

[@Aisha-721]

¡Buenos dias, gerbils!

[@finsandwhiskers]

Buenos días ☀️

[@sydneyr5596]

The funny thing is, my skinny gerbil eats more than my fatter one! Lol

[@paulineshchygol5849]

You're making such amazing and inspiring videos! Thank you so much!!! Always looking forward to your new videos about gerbils) And I just love the way you talk to them, I bet so do they))

[@finsandwhiskers]

Thank you so much!

[@tastydaisy8577]

I have some very special gerbils. One is lance and the other is pidge. They are so social, it’s crazy. On the first day of getting them, I needed to fix the hide inside, because it fell over. They jumped on my hand! Cool 😎 I know this is late, but I thought id share

[@Oliwwi8]

Congrats on 1000 subs!

[@finsandwhiskers]

Thank you ♥️

[@rustigaan5492]

Hi, I love your video's. You're the best! Love and greetings from the Netherlands

[@cat-fe5wl]

ONE MINUTE AGO!! fastest I've ever got a notification

[@ameilemae8428]

Omg I've just got a pair of females ! They are quite shy,but one is more confident then the other! You are such an amazing role model!

[@finsandwhiskers]

How exciting! Good luck to you and thank you!

[@ameilemae8428]

@Emerald Sister Squad awe!

[@Havuhaukkuu]

Hi! I love your videos! Thank you, i have learned so much! I also noticed your adorable gerbils have passed away. I'm so sorry for your loss. ❤️ In country I live, breeders don't recommend running wheels at all, I think because then people wouldn't add enough bedding. Divider! Brilliant. I have a big tank and I will add a divider and an area with sand and wheel. Also breeders here say you shouldn't use food when taming, because they get used to it and assume your fingers = food = always bite... So I haven't used food taming my boys, now 1 year old. They are curious and always come to me when I open the lid and they seem pretty ok with my hand there. They even let me touch a bit, but when I'd take them to my hand they panic and disappear :D So maybe I'll just use food from now on and try if they would climb to my hand! Thanks!

[@hippymegs]

Thanks for making this

[@mackkeith-roach4991]

Hey, I was wondering if you could make a video on how to tame really timid gerbils because I recently got one and it hides underground all the time. The second he sees anyone he just runs away. We've had him for a few days now and the other two are already voluntarily jumping on my hands.

[@finsandwhiskers]

Some gerbils are just going to stay timid, the best you can do is understand that and use the beginning steps of the video often and nothing further until progress is made

[@littlehawk299]

Great video! Where's the best place for them to roam a little free outside the cage? Don't want them getting lost or going somewhere where I can't find them. I'm thinking sitting room floor with me watching them? . Lastly, my gerbils fall asleep suddenly in the middle of playing. Is this natural? First time it happend I thought she dropped dead but then the other girl did it also hours later. Thank you

[@sharimarrivera106]

Hello, I love your channel and I wanted to ask you a question... I grabbed my gerbil a couple minutes ago and when I did she was doing like a noise with her mouth and I didn't know what it was so that's why I wanted to ask you. It wasn't a squeak or anything but I just wanted to know.

[@coolpetfun7085]

I have two gerbils hazel and pepper and thanks I will try

[@finsandwhiskers]

Good luck!

[@ruthm1384]

Great video, thank you! I wonder, don't they try to jump off that edge of the enclosure? I was amazed to see them just walk on it and not jump down. I just got 2 gerbils yesterday and I fear opening the lid because they try to peek over the edge, and I worry they'd just jump out and onto the floor and hurt themselves!

[@finsandwhiskers]

No, they don’t! They’re too afraid because they see no close landing 😂 and of course, I supervise anyway

[@legacyysuliveres563]

hiiiiiiiii congratulations on 1k

[@finsandwhiskers]

Thank you!

[@legacyysuliveres563]

@@finsandwhiskers :))

[@ebrnhrt3]

SOOOOOOOO CUTE

[@awesomegames114]

I adopted my gerbils a year ago. We have a good bond, but I noticed something odd. They don’t really want to be picked up, petted or anything like that. They even run away and hide when I put food into the tank or they have a hissy if they don’t have a certain food in the tank. I had adopted these little guys from someone else. Is it possible that the previous owner did something to cause this fear, and is there anything that I can do as a gerbil owner to show them that they don’t need to fear me?

[@finsandwhiskers]

Definitely take it slow, respect their responses and go steps back if things suddenly stop progressing! Make sure you use positive reinforcement (a calming voice or sound) that indicates a reward such as treats or their food mix

[@Josephinewechsler]

739 millet for almond pls :)

[@briansilva9120]

I have also shared your video 😀

[@user-le9jn4ow5x]

Where is the tank from?

[@angelaaguirre3724]

But idk mine keeps bitting me and it hurts cause I’m to scared to even try

[@finsandwhiskers]

You can try with a glove

[@shfhjdhdudyevrv]

Aww I’ve been here since 500 subscribers~

[@finsandwhiskers]

Thanks for sticking around!! 💕

[@shfhjdhdudyevrv]

Fins & Whiskers how could I not? My three gerbil boys say congratulations on 1,000 subscribers 💕

[@manicobsessive]

Hi there. Please could you tell me how you are able to move the enclosure when you need to? I have just got two gerbils and I can't stand seeing them in the 'large' cage I had to buy them, but I don't know how I'll manage a large tank 😔

[@finsandwhiskers]

What I do with fish tanks in general is always, always, put something underneath before keeping it on any stand. It could be a thick fabric cut to size, a long sturdy piece of carton cut to size, or what I personally use, coroplast. A craft board like coroplast or carton will allow it to be shifted/slide off when you need to move it!

[@aubrey20244]

hey I'm curious to know? where did you get your girbles :) I'm going to get some but I'm not sure where pls answer THX!

[@lifewitleyah2903]

My gerbil is a baby boy and I want to learn how to hold him because he keeps running away 😶

[@haleyandarianacoenandledfo4652]

Can you only have one gerbil or 2

[@finsandwhiskers]

Gerbils are social animals and need to be in at least pairs, I would definitely recommend checking out my gerbil care playlist for needed information!

[@daniom8588]

Cool! Yo también soy de Mexico!! Hola :)

[@finsandwhiskers]

Hola! Perdón, mi español es muy mal, no soy mexicana 😅😅

[@daniom8588]

Fins & Whiskers oh only your gerbils are mexican then :0

[@tatianareece]

189 likes and 0 dislikes , great :)

[@leiaaxelsson2493]

I love this! I’m thinking of getting two gerbils when the pandemic is over! I just have one question: I read from some sites online that gerbils carry a lot of bacteria in their mouths, making it possible for them to give you diseases and possibly rabies when they bite you and draw blood. Is this true or just someone trying to scare people? :))) 💕

[@finsandwhiskers]

Definitely not true :)

[@aubrey20244]

LOL I MEANT GIRBILS

[@druheaz144]

hi ur cute thanks for the video

[@questionmark9926]

The dislikes are people who don’t like Almond

[@finsandwhiskers]

😨😭

[@questionmark9926]

@@finsandwhiskers But I didn’t dislike so its fine almond is amazing

[@chickenlegbis297]

What if your gerbils were in a old home who stressed them out, mine hide in their burrows and isn’t okay with handling please do a video explaining how I can (re tame ) them 😔

[@finsandwhiskers]

Start with the beginning steps I mention, for a much longer time. It’ll be difficult, but get ready to accept their space and privacy as well

[@gizka9589]

Currently in the taming. With my gerbils. Delta and venus thanks for the advice they like to climb all over me and eat meal worms and almonds

[@finsandwhiskers]

Awesome!

[@janaherowitsch6920]

I loved the video, but my gerbils often bite me when I put my hand in their enclosure. What should I do about it?🐭🐭💗

[@finsandwhiskers]

I have a video on gerbil behavior that might be helpful!

[@unknown-xr6bl]

Hello. Im scared of my gerbil biting me even tho ik she wont do that. What can i do to be more comfotorable holding her?

[@finsandwhiskers]

un known you could try gloves :)

[@Isabellxhch]

This is so helpfull thank you🎉 I want gerbils do Anyone have any tips?

[@finsandwhiskers]

Take a look at my gerbil care playlist :)

[@Isabellxhch]

@@finsandwhiskers thank you so mutch i love your Chanel ur the best😊

[@tinsleybryanneee]

I subscribed!!!!!

[@finsandwhiskers]

Woo, welcome to the fun club!!

[@genuinedeimos]

I just got my gerbils, Honey and Toast, but they seem so scared of me, and they squeak whenever I come near! I got them two days ago, any tips?

[@finsandwhiskers]

how has it been? :)

[@lolarocky3274]

i only have 1 gerbil, i got him nearly a year ago and didn’t know they were meant to come in pairs so i didn’t get any of his siblings. should i get another one now?

[@sunflower-id1kd]

yes, just make sure you introduce them properly

[@raima7799]

Hi! I have a question (I'm doing gerbil research) when you scatter feed them can there be a chance that one gerbil gets more food than the other and then they become territorial?

[@finsandwhiskers]

There will be times where they don’t get the same amount, however it won’t be a cause for territorial behavior. Since they don’t have cheek pouches like hamsters, they can only eat what’s there without being able to hoard and guard multiple seeds!

[@raima7799]

@@finsandwhiskers thank you so much!

[@James-cj9fx]

How do you regognize your gerbils? Dont they look the same?

[@finsandwhiskers]

I actually have a whole video on how I tell them apart! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6ureWlofb6ggMk

[@averywaltz9681]

I really need some help I think one of mine is sick because she’s not energetic and she’s squinting her eyes and sometimes I see her like kinda shaking I’m scared

[@finsandwhiskers]

How do her eyes look? You should go to a vet

[@averywaltz9681]

Fins & Whiskers she’s okay now thanks :) but I put 2 bendy bridges next to the border on each side and they’ve been sleeping in those and right now one is sleeping right next to the border it’s so cute

[@julietteroberts4629]

Hey again so would you mind commenting the link for those millet sprays?

[@finsandwhiskers]

They are from petco MX so I wouldn’t be able to help you 😅

[@BiRios]

www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/healthy-select-spray-millet Just the first I found at a reasonable price

[@petsandplants9341]

So CUTE? Wghat are their names

[@finsandwhiskers]

Lemon, almond and beanie!

[@petsandplants9341]

@@finsandwhiskers Aww, that's adorable!

[@petsandplants9341]

oh i just raelised i said so cute? i meant so cute!

[@averywaltz9681]

So I used to be able to let them eat off my hand but one of mine bit me and I haven’t done it since cause I don’t wanna get some disease and I’m just kinda scared

[@finsandwhiskers]

They won’t give you a disease :)

[@averywaltz9681]

Fins & Whiskers I don’t wanna admit this cause Ik it’s bad but even if I got them from a pet store?

[@finsandwhiskers]

No, they won’t

[@aubrey20244]

are girdles loud? if I get them I'm probably going to keep them in my room but I don't want them being noisy heh :)

[@finsandwhiskers]

They aren’t!

[@aubrey20244]

@@finsandwhiskers ok thanks for replying!!

[@AoT540]

Got any tips for night noises? I know it’s normal for them to dig and stuff all day long. But I live in a studio so they’re like 2 meters away from me when i try to sleep. Is it a possibility to put the cage in the bathroom? Or any other things I can do to get some sleep? Thank you :)

[@finsandwhiskers]

I personally wouldn’t put them in a bathroom, humidity from showers isn’t ideal. Gerbils aren’t really noisy unless you have a loud wheel, you could get a silent spinner or a wooden wheel, in my experience wooden wheels make absolutely no noise! My gerbils sleep during the night, I don’t think there will be much activity then either

[@AoT540]

@@finsandwhiskers Thanks for replying! I just keep them where they are. They sleep very often, like all noon and evening. I have another question, sorry. So 1 gerbil is very curious and not scared at all, but the other one always scares of everything and hides and stomps his feet, is that normal? Because i searched it up and it seems he’s scared but i have no idea for what. Only conclusion i can get is the tv? Or is it normal for a young gerbil? (They’re here 3 days now). Thank you!

[@finsandwhiskers]

@@AoT540 it’s normal! It’s kind of best he gets used to sounds as well, mine were like that at first but now they come out during the day for a long while!

[@AoT540]

@@finsandwhiskers Okay ouf... haha I don’t wanna bother but, is it also normal that they bite my hand/fingers? (Not hard btw, it’s a soft bite, doesnt hurt. But the shy one bites less hard). Will this stop eventually? I put my hand like 5 times in the cage to let them smell etc. Sorry for the many questions. Thanks

[@liamcoyne7864]

How big should a 3 gerbil cage be?

[@averywaltz9681]

Probably 40 gallon or more

[@finsandwhiskers]

I’d recommend a 40 or 50 gallon as bare minimum

[@franchierose9075]

I got gerbils yesterday how long do u think it will take for them to be tamed they are 8 weeks old

[@finsandwhiskers]

All gerbils are different! Just follow the steps in my taming video and see where it takes you :)

[@franchierose9075]

@@finsandwhiskers thank you so much do they like being picked up???

[@teeheedamn3926]

I just got a new gerbil I’m guessing he’s a baby, he’s pretty skittish and doesn’t really like hands he already bit my sister so I hope this helps

[@finsandwhiskers]

Don’t forget to give them space for at least a week to adjust to their space! You can use your voice but try to avoid handling until they’re more aware of their surroundings. Also remember they are social animals and should be kept in at least pairs. You will have to do split cage bonding if he is the only one

[@lovelyeve4801]

What's your cage/glass encloser. 💜💜

[@finsandwhiskers]

A 63 gallon tank!

[@lovelyeve4801]

@@finsandwhiskers thank you I'll start searching for my gerbies!💜🐾

[@nolimt-jayraquel1299]

Helloo! I’ve had my gerbils for almost 5 months now and I am not able to hold them yet :( Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

[@finsandwhiskers]

What steps have you tried? Have you tried just getting them used to your voice first?

[@nolimt-jayraquel1299]

Yes, I try to talk to them everyday. I am able to stroke them but when I try to pick one of them up, they would get usually off. 😕

[@TigerLily-fz4gf]

*I'm not a gerbil expert* I have had both rats and hamsters and have found that some animals are just more shy than others. However, after tons of time I have managed to get every pet to willingly climb into my hand. I would sit and do my homework or watch TV with my hand inside the cage. Eventually they all started to not care and would begin to crawl up on their own. Once again not a gerbil expert but I have noticed similarities between them and my animals. Hope that helps!

[@mynamejeff589]

how can you tell what language they speak?

[@finsandwhiskers]

They don’t communicate like we do 😅

[@mynamejeff589]

Fins & Whiskers ik lol, i meant how do we know if they are from mexico or somewhere else. as you speak to your gerbils inmexican. no hate btw!!! ❤️

[@finsandwhiskers]

Ohh sorry for the confusion, I am in Mexico and they were born here so I just speak to them in Spanish 😂

[@mynamejeff589]

Fins & Whiskers ok haha!! i am pretty sure mine were born in canada so i will talk to them in english. 🙂

[@waffle633]

First hi!

[@Falinnfornerds]

Who flipped there phone upside down? 😔🔪