I BOUGHT GERBILS!... THEY HATE ME

#stuffandthings​ #sundaystuffandthings​ #gerbils
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[@Bluspethouseandriding]

1:46 I tell you as a gerbil owner. People just don't know gerbils exist. I had family that when I said I got a gerbil they were like "what is that a rat?"Even on youtube no gerbil owners. So happy to see another gerbil owner ❤

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

I thought they were super common, but I found out otherwise!

[@Rainingrxse]

You had a family????

[@Bluspethouseandriding]

@redrabbitrose that wording of mine was kind of weird thanks for pointing that put. I think I was trying to say a family member

[@dubliners0999]

I hear you're bummed. I have tamed many gerbils, including ones that were aggressive and prone to biting. It does take time to tame them. I offer treats and then work up to putting a treat on the back of my hand (not the palm of my hand). By that time, they will usually lean up and touch me. From there, I will rest my hand palm down in the cage until they start running over it. One big thing--a tank without a topper does mean that you're reaching DOWN into the cage which is seen as predatory. I recently bought a Savic XL Gerbil Habitat and had it shipped from Belgium to the U.S. It has a cage with long shelf on top of a deep tank. This allows my gerbil to dig, dig, dig AND come up when she feels safe and interact with me. One of the 2 that I have now actually de-clanned from a sister and there was traumatic violence, so I'm going slow with her. It's totally worth it to work with gerbils. I've also found that gerbils from a retail store like Petsmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus never work with their pocket pets AND they take them away from their mother too soon which can lead to anxiety and biting. Best to find a good breeder (we have one in Yorkville, IL and many in Ohio) that won't breed aggressive pets and never sells them too young. The American Gerbil Society online does list official breeders. If anyone finds that they just can't get the results they want, I recommend finding an animal rescue that specializes in pocket pets, not the regular humane society which won't take care of them well. In my area, Fur Angels Animal Sanctuary near Chicago does a fantastic job as does Exotic Animal Rescue and Pet Sanctuary (EARPS) in Indiana. Both have experienced gerbil owners who also volunteer who will work to socialize and tame a gerbil who is surrendered. Good luck! I'm glad you posted this video. I think it will help a lot of people. p.s. I was in Petco the other day getting supplies and a woman and her son were looking at gerbils. It was clear that she was an experienced owner as she was telling him the difference between a hamster and a gerbil and the little boy said, "They don't bite like hamsters do?" Clearly they'd had the experience of having hamsters and as far as I can tell, most of them bite. :)

[@louisec9935]

They usually become less skittish and timid as they get older. If they do come out, give them a special treat and make a noise such as a kissing noise. If you always make the same noise when you give them a treat they'll soon come out of their burrow whenever they hear that noise. They learn quickly. I also read gerbils are often motivated by out of tank playtime but it may be a bit too soon for that. I hope they come out of hiding soon!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks! I've been personally feeding them every night for over a month and making the "kissing noises." They're getting much less skittish. They've even let me pet them a little! I'll do an update video in a few days!

[@louisec9935]

@@stuffandthingsyoutube Glad to hear they're gradually getting bolder and look forward to an update!

[@BR3AK.66]

I have to pet gerbils :) I know this isn’t for all gerbils but they really like being petted on their head (also, I have the same type of pellet food that is shown in the thumbnail) 😂

[@brandonthebuildertx]

Name ideas: Stuff and Things. Burley and Perique. Kevin and Kurt. Dunhill and Savinelli. Briar and Cob.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Not bad! I'm saving Kevin for my eventual dog though. :-)

[@animalcrossingnerd8142]

They look like wild Gerbils more than pets.

[@ChrisCaughey]

If one of them were female, it seems like Elizabeth would be an especially appropriate name.

[@Bishopspipes]

Get a bearded dragon and thank me later! They just sit there and are super friendly and laid back

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Strict 'no reptile' rules have come down from on high. :-)

[@jlmssocialworker]

Not everyone is a reptile person….. gerbils are my favorite mammals. I would never get a bearded dragon. It wouldn’t work out for everyone’s family.

[@cody22cannon]

Guinea pig bro, they are like little dogs. And they don't bite!

[@akranov]

Gotta name at least one of them Lemmiwinks, since they like to burrow so deeply ;-)

[@RetardedBaboonMan]

😏

[@STARIZZY458]

South park lemmiwinks the gerbils

[@TheOzoneLayerHatesMe]

Gerbils aren't so happy about being handled as Hamsters. They are faster moving than hamsters too. If you want a pet you can hold more you should consider a hamster. They like to live alone not with other hamsters or gerbils.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Interesting. I've always found gerbils to be a little easier to handle once they're used to you. We shall see with these guys. They're still very young.

[@TheOzoneLayerHatesMe]

@@stuffandthingsyoutube Oh you're probably right and I may have mixed them up. My hamsters loved being handled and played with, I've had about 10 over the years.

[@7marmot]

@@stuffandthingsyoutube I found my gerbils became much more skittish and hidden when I gave them more hiding places and bedding to tunnel in.

[@CheesePretzelBites]

Get special treats that are extra delicious that you only give to them out of your hand 😊

[@Fredamedia]

Take out the heavy stones and give them as much to burrow in as possible. Give them more lightweight shelters, hay and hiding places on the surface so that they can hide from imaginary birds of prey while foraging. Rearranging the cage will make them confident. Handle their bedding including the soiled stuff so that your hands smell like them as much as possible. Feed them a live mealworm once a week on the same day at a time when they come out to feed usually. 12:50 Make a tiny little chirping noise and initially drop the mw and stand back, eventually working up to handfeeding with a passive hand.

[@Fredamedia]

I mean letting them rearrange their cage😊

[@ianmcdonald1418]

I have always had good luck with rats as pets, very smart and outgoing, friendly too. I found gerbils to be much as you see currently, with a side of biting.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Interesting. I've always find gerbils to be very UN-bitey. I had rats when I was a kid. They were great! The odor though. That's one of the benefits of gerbils - pretty much no odor whatsoever.

[@peterstraub3582]

I always recommend a tray of snails.

[@johngaldieri5535]

Adorable! I will calm them Gerald and Bill … or “Ger” and “Bill” for short! Northern New Jersey loves you (and Diamond and Ger and Bill) :)

[@lesbrady]

Bradley makes gerbils disappear! :D

[@puffinpiper7625]

Oh, how about a gerbil house? clear plastic tubes and all that? Sometimes sort of a neon orange and clear see through plastic? Pretty big in the "70/80's

[@carieevans3787]

They still sell those but they're not good for gerbils, too small. I have one attached to a 40 gallon tank. A tube runs from the plastic house down into the tank. Therefore, they dont chew the plastic cage up like they would if they were only in it.

[@animalcrossingnerd8142]

Gerbils shouldn't have plastic.

[@valentiapauwels]

I just got gerbils and I dont know what to do with them. They're 2 males and I brought them home 4 days ago. I know it's short and they're probably still stressed from the ride. However, the first day they came out of their burrows quite a lot. Whenever i'd make a noise they came out. The next day it took them a little longer. The day after that (so yesterday) they barely came out. At first they took everything I gave them. Seeds, dried flowers etc. Since yesterday they take nothing anymore. I have to gently lift up the log they have in their burrow to get some movement from them. I did this because I was scared since I didnt seem them yesterday. They seem to come out when im not around? The cardbord had been chewed up after I came back from my exams. They do really seem to hate me, my voice or any noise actually. I leave them alone as much a possible. I try to give treats twice a day, but like I said since yesterday they won't come out.. One of them actually has a scentgland tumor (I think) I already contacted my vet and asked them if they treat gerbils (since these animals are not common in the Netherlands). Im waiting for a response and will take them if they treat gerbils. I think this may be part of the reason they're less active? They're basically in their burrows all day.. But I still think it's strange since they first came out a lot. Anyone tips..?

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Mine acting similarly at first too. I got in the habit of feeding them at the same time every night. I would clean up their enclosure, change their water, and then fill their food bowl, while talking quietly and making chirping noises, so they would know I was there. Eventually, they would start to come out to get the food while I was standing over the cage, and I even started feeding them from my hand. They probably just need time to get used to you and feel safe. Good luck!

[@aikikaname6508]

Hmm if anything I think with the space you have in there they could have more bedding and toys. And gerbils are prey animals and not as bright as rats so it makes sense they’d be a bit slower to trust. You need to give them time to set tle in and handle them slowly. There’s great videos on how to build up trusy

[@bamagtrdude]

you should play your guitar for them, Bradley ... music calms the savage beasts

[@Terabithia101TheTherian]

I have two pet gerbils and I have owned them for about a year now. Their names are Honey and Fern and we’re skittish for the first few months,but now there more comfortable around me and look forward to play time.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Mine are seniors now. They've called down some too. They eat out of my hands and hang out in my palms while they eat.

[@Terabithia101TheTherian]

They really trust you.❤

[@carieevans3787]

So, have you tamed them by now? :)

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Pretty much! They're still skittish, but they'll eat on my hand and come when they're called.

[@CommodoreN64]

Cornell and Diehl

[@Ricky-oi3wv]

Luckily we still love you.

[@_crack_pr]

my gerbil hates me too

[@TheMichaelkim3]

I miss my gerbils

[@Olgabceot]

They dont have you they just dont know you yet, give them some time

[@Olgabceot]

Hate*

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Haha. I was just being facetious. ;-) They eat out of my hand now.

[@RickGrimesWT]

I got 2 gerbils and there names are bow and arrow

[@Frizzlefry7]

One time my cousin Walter got this cat stuck in his ass. True story. He bought it at a local mall so the whole fiasco wound up on the news. It was embarrassing for my relatives and all, but the next week he did it again. Different cat, same results complete with another trip to the emergency room. So I run into him a week later at the mall and he's buying another cat. And I say to him, Jesus Walt, what are you doing? You know you're just gonna get this cat stuck in your ass too, why don't you knock it off? And he said to me, Brodie, how the hell else am I suppose to get the gerbil out? My cousin was a weird guy. /shrug

[@RutabegaFarmer]

I'm sorry, WAT

[@Nighttrainpiper]

Sounds like they have psychological issues lol

[@gerbilssandraandshannie]

Gerbils are sweet

[@Sailor_McNemo]

Lemmiwinks the Bold!

[@Slowhiker-xw2kp]

Get a little dog!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

I wish I could!

[@georgiethehamster.9713]

Nice

[@PanfishingJournal]

You look like one of those guys

[@tommarkovich8547]

You really need a house. So you can have better pets than (short pause) gerbils. Just saying.

[@imjusttoodissgusted5620]

My son brought home two gerbils from school at the end of the year. and of course my wife and I got stuck with taking care of them. we got so tired of the stinking cage, which got smelly soon after we changed everything. so one day i said to my son, "wanna see something neat?" he said yes so i told him to take one of the gerbils to a neighbor who had a big rat snake as a pet and put it in with the snake. well, you know the snake got it. He came running home and got the other one and put it in there. problem solved, snake well fed.

[@petfunhouse276]

😦ummmm….Gerbils aren’t feeders though… they’re pets If you ever can’t care for an animal it’s always best for you and the animal to take it to a shelter 😁

[@aikikaname6508]

Jfc if you hated them so much just give them to a shelter or put them on craigs list. And put your foot down as adults if your kid comes home with a pet you don’t want. Also gerbils are the cleanest pets out there and normally don’t need cleaning out for a month. If they stank that’s on you, they were probably in a tiny critter trail which was way too small in which case what did you expect? God if this is how you handle animal care I hope you and the boys realise pets aren’t for you