Gerbil exercise

[ignats]

What is the best way for a gerbil to get exercise if it won't use a wheel or ball?

[Hamsters82]

Hi and welcome to RR! I would think to get one of those exercise pens and create (or buy) all these little things gerbils like to do. A bridge here, a ball there, maybe something where you put a treat in a small/medium ball or toilet paper roll or where something where your gerbil has to work to get the treat. That way he/she is exercising both their mind and body.

Sometimes they have cars that rodents can go into and roll around in. That's all I can think of, but others here will have more ideas. Good luck!

[Andrea]

Welcome
Is this a new gerbil? Sometimes gerbils just have to learn to use the wheel, it can take them a bit of time, others will never use it, same with the ball.

A fun safe way of exersize is placeing a towel in the empty clean bathtub, making sure the drain is plugged, and fill it with tubes and toys, maybe some sand bath in a container. This way you can both play, and gives him/her a lot of space to run, without escaping lol

You can purchase those play pens, but I find gerbils can easily jump out of those.

[Die Fledermaus]

I never call a living animal "it".

Good suggestions above. Also, get a bigger wheel and be sure it is solid or mesh. Try to hang it from the edge or plastic lip of a tank - drill or cut holes as needed to hang it. That way you can keep bedding out of it and it will move freely.

Of course, hard cardboard tubes for gnawing are a form of exercise.

Put in and change different types of tubes with slightly different smells. They will be busy exploring them,

And welcome.

[ignats]

Thanks everyone for your ideas.
Hamster82-As for a play pen, my gerbils alway seem to figure out how to get out of it. I do like the idea of the treats they have to work for.
Andrea-No my gerbils aren't new. I tried since I got them and they never liked them. I like the idea of the bathtub, however I only have a shower, and it's very small.
Die Fledermaus- I always give my gerbils toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, egg cartons, and other cardboard products. I didn't realize that was an exercise for them. So I'm glad to hear that they at least are getting some exercise.
And thanks for the welcome.

[Die Fledermaus]

You're welcome.

It is not running around exercise but it sure is fun for them and an exercise for their mouths! better than sitting around bored.

[Andrea]

I got a guinea pig sized pen, it is taller then the hamster ones, and found my gerbils couldn't jump out of it.
You could also make a maze with a cardboard box, that could be fun.

[Die Fledermaus]

And I assume the gerbils could not squeeze through anything.

[Dezzi]

Or climb it...

[Andrea]

No, i would reccomend a product that gerbils can climb and squish through LOL

i can't find a pic of mine.