Maya Ellison
Gerbils are known to chew on plastic, which can be a cause for concern for owners. While some gerbils may chew plastic due to boredom, it could also be a sign of mouth or tooth pain. Gerbils may also chew to alleviate discomfort from overgrown teeth that are not meshing correctly. To prevent gerbils from chewing on plastic, it is recommended to remove plastic items from their habitat and replace them with non-plastic alternatives, such as glass or metal. Providing safer chew toys made from cardboard, paper towel rolls, or wood can also help deter gerbils from chewing on plastic items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gerbil chewing behaviour | Gerbils chew to alleviate mouth or tooth pain, to correct overgrown teeth that are not meshing correctly, or simply out of boredom. |
| Preventing plastic chewing | Provide safer alternatives, such as cardboard, paper towel rolls, natural wood sticks, or other chew toys. |
| Alternative materials | Metal, glass, or wood enclosures and accessories are recommended over plastic, which gerbils can easily chew through and ingest. |
| Water dispensers | Lixit metal holders with glass bottles are a popular choice to avoid plastic. |
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What You'll Learn
Gerbils will chew to alleviate mouth or tooth pain
Gerbils have teeth that are harder than iron and, unlike human teeth, they have no roots and grow continuously. If a gerbil's teeth are not worn down, they can grow so long that they pierce the upper or lower jaw, which can be fatal. Therefore, gerbils have a natural instinct to chew on things to wear their teeth down.
Gerbils will also chew to alleviate mouth or tooth pain. If you notice your gerbil chewing on plastic, it may be a sign that it is experiencing dental discomfort. Gerbils can also chew out of boredom, or because they want to escape their enclosure. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your gerbil's cage is large enough and that it has access to plenty of safe, chewable items.
To prevent your gerbil from chewing plastic, it is best to remove all plastic items from its enclosure. Gerbils can be very determined chewers, and plastic is not a suitable material for them to ingest. Replace plastic items with metal or glass alternatives, such as a glass water bottle in a metal holder.
You can also provide your gerbil with plenty of safe, chewable items to redirect its chewing behavior. Good options include wooden chews from pet stores, which are made from non-splintering, non-toxic wood. Gerbils also enjoy chewing on cardboard, paper towel rolls, and natural materials such as tree branches. However, avoid giving your gerbil unidentified wood, driftwood, or wood that may contain harmful chemicals or preservatives.
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Provide safer alternatives, such as cardboard or wood
Gerbils love to chew on things, and cardboard and wood are safer alternatives to plastic. Gerbils chew on things to help wear down their teeth. If they don't, their teeth will keep growing, which can make it difficult to eat and even cause severe injury. Cardboard boxes make excellent toys for gerbils because they are relatively hard, which is great for their teeth, and they also provide hiding places. However, cardboard boxes that have been coated or printed with ink should be avoided. Toilet paper rolls are also untreated and safe for gerbils to chew on, but they are too soft for grinding teeth.
Wood is another alternative to plastic. Unlike plastic, wood is neither too hard nor too soft, so it can only wear down a gerbil's teeth and sharpen them. It is important to know what type of wood is safe for gerbils to chew on, as some woods are toxic. Woods to avoid include pine and cedar, which contain aromatic oils that may be toxic when ingested in large amounts. Wood that has been processed or treated with chemicals should also be avoided, as well as wood that contains nails or screws.
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Replace plastic items with metal or glass
Gerbils are natural chewers, and they will chew on anything available to them. They can be persistent and will chew through plastic cages and toys/wheels with ease. Gerbils have also been known to chew through plastic cage lids and attempt to escape. Therefore, it is essential to remove plastic items from their habitat.
One option is to replace plastic items with metal or glass alternatives. For example, you can use a glass aquarium tank instead of a plastic cage. Glass is also easier to clean than scratched-up plastic. For water bottles, you can use a metal Lixit holder with a glass bottle. This is a popular choice among gerbil owners and adopters, as it eliminates the risk of ingested plastic, which can be fatal.
You can also use a wooden cage with a glass water bottle holder, such as the Trixie Wooden water bottle holder. This can be freestanding or fixed to the wood sides of the cage. Another option is to create levels for your gerbils out of little slabs of wood, as gerbils will not chew on wood.
In addition to removing plastic items, it is important to provide your gerbils with safe items to chew on, such as cardboard, paper towel rolls, and natural wood sticks. Gerbils' teeth do not stop growing, so they need to chew to keep them from becoming overgrown and causing pain.
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Gerbils will chew to file down their teeth
Gerbils' teeth grow continuously throughout their lives and need to be filed down. In the wild, they achieve this by eating hard foods, such as grains and seeds. However, gerbils in captivity may not have access to such foods, so they need to chew on other things to keep their teeth from overgrowing. This is why gerbils will often chew on the bars of their cage.
To prevent your gerbil from chewing on plastic, it is important to provide it with alternative things to chew on, such as cardboard, paper towel rolls, or natural wood sticks. You can also buy special gerbil chews or gnaws made from wood that doesn't splinter easily. These will help to keep your gerbil's teeth at the right length and promote good dental health.
It is also important to ensure that your gerbil's diet includes hard foods to chew on, such as nuts and seeds. However, be aware that constantly eating hard foods can damage gerbil teeth, leading to chipping or breaking. So, it is important to provide a balanced diet and ensure your gerbil has access to a variety of things to chew on.
If you are unable to remove all plastic from your gerbil's enclosure, you may want to consider using a glass water bottle with a metal holder. This will prevent your gerbil from chewing on plastic and potentially ingesting it, which can be fatal.
Finally, it is worth noting that gerbils may also chew on things out of boredom or a desire to escape their cage. Providing them with enough bedding to burrow in and other forms of enrichment can help reduce this behaviour. Regularly taking your gerbil out of its enclosure for a cuddle and some playtime can also help reduce chewing behaviours.
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Use a glass tank instead of a plastic cage
Gerbils are known to chew on plastic, and it can be hard to break this habit. If you are worried about your gerbil chewing plastic, one solution is to use a glass tank instead of a plastic cage. Glass is easier to clean than plastic, and there is no risk of your gerbil chewing through it and ingesting plastic, which can be fatal.
A glass aquarium tank can serve as a suitable home for your gerbil. It is recommended to have a 10-gallon tank per gerbil, with a wire mesh or screen lid. You can also use a glass tank with a metal water bottle holder, such as the Lixit metal holder, and a glass bottle. This ensures there is no plastic for your gerbil to chew on.
If you are using plastic tubes to connect tanks, you may want to switch to ladders or ramps, as gerbils often try to chew and expand the tubes.
In addition to removing plastic from their habitat, you can provide your gerbil with alternative items to chew on, such as cardboard, paper towel rolls, and natural wood sticks.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to prevent gerbils from chewing plastic is to remove any plastic items from their habitat. Gerbils will chew on anything available, so it is important to provide them with alternative items to chew on, such as cardboard, paper towel rolls, or natural wood sticks.
Glass aquarium tanks or metal cages are good alternatives to plastic for gerbil cages. It is important to ensure that the cage is large enough for the gerbil to move around in and has a secure lid to prevent escapes.
Some people have found that their gerbils do not chew on certain types of plastic wheels, but this may vary depending on the individual gerbil.
Gerbils chew on plastic as a way to entertain themselves when they are bored. Chewing can also be a way for gerbils to alleviate mouth or tooth pain, or to try to correct overgrown teeth that are not meshing correctly.
If your gerbil is chewing excessively and also exhibiting other signs of discomfort, such as dragging its back legs, it may be a sign of a health issue. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian to check for any problems with your gerbil's teeth or mouth.
