gerbil+hamster

Question
QUESTION: i have a gerbil.. shes about 4 months old... shes really hyper i cant hold her or anything all she does is run around and freak out. so i have been reading about it and it said maybe it was because shes alone and i really dont want another gerbil, a hamster would be nice and she gets along with my friends hamster so i was wondering if it would be ok to have them in the same cage. and if i do and the start fighting what should i do?

ANSWER: In general, gerbils are extremely hyper. I believe that's just their nature. They don't make good "sit still and cuddle" pets, so if you're expecting that from her, you're likely not going to get it.

You can not put a hamster in a cage with any other animal. the hamster friend may be fine with the gerbil in a monitored, out in the open environment, but hamsters are EXTREMELY territorial, and WILL kill any other animal they are in the cage with, even other hamsters.

All I can suggest is that you make sure your gerbil has enough diversions to keep her happy: an exercise wheel, chewing material, lots of litter to burrow in, and maybe some other toys.

Let me know if I can help with anything else.

Jackie

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QUESTION: ok i hope i dont get on your nerves but i got my gerbil a new cage i dont think that has any importance but theres alot more space and she keeps rubbing her "privates" all over it and she keeps licking them ..... i was just wondering if something was wrong with her. and what should i do?

ANSWER: You're not getting on my nerves, ask away!

I'm not extremely familiar with gerbils, but from my experience with hamsters, I can tell you she might be in heat.

If you can manage to get her out of the cage and turn her over (you can wear a glove if she bites), check her nether region and see if there is any discharge or if it looks irritated. If it looks like there is something wrong there, it could be an infection of some type and you should take her to the vet.

It may well be that she is just "putting her scent" on the new cage. If she doesn't stop within a couple of days, or if she smells or acts strangely, or you notice puss or blood, she will need to see a vet.

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QUESTION: ok so i sware this is my last one and i dont knwo why im asking you this because i know the answer.. but layla9my gerbil) seems sad like depressed lately so im tryin to talk my   -not so much an animal lover- stepfather to get me another one..he thinks animals are money pits...=/ but i think it would cheer her up if she had a friend ya know...
whats your opinion?

Answer
Hey erica -
How old is the gerbil and what are the signs that she is depressed?

The only problem with getting another gerbil now is that they may be hostile to one another. They will do best when raised together, so I'm not sure if it would help her to get her a companion.

The best thing that you can do if you feel she is lonely is to give her extra attention, toys to play with, even just talking to her may help.

I know how you feel. I have a rat who has to live alone because he was aggressive to his cage mate (who has passed away now), and he always seems slightly depressed, but we can't give him a friend.

Good Luck!
Jackie