Gerbil New Home

Question
I have replied to your very helpful answer and am glad to say that everything is OK now. However I have a question that is puzzling me. It is not a health issue nor anything very important I suppose, but when they were in the Wire Cage they did not have very much room as that is why I bought the Aquarium, and now for exercise I bought a Exercise Wheel, (the Tail Safe one), and put it in with them, BUT they will not use it. Should I just take it out as it has been in for about a week and they have never once got inside of it? I know they have a lot of energy and I do not know what else to do to give them exercise. As I stated this maybe is not important, but I know they have to spend their energy doing something. Thank you in advance for any help and advise you may be able to give, and I promise I will not bother you anymore. I have tried to find the information online, but with no success. Thanks again,
James Rogers
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I had a Wire Cage for my Gerbils and went last night and bought a ten gallon Aquarium for them so they would have more room. However they WILL NOT sleep in their house now, and I have even used some of the Bedding from the Wire Cage so they would have something with their Scent on it to help them adjust. Other then this they are very active when they play, and they are not sick or anything like that. I am worried sick about them and I love them very much. I hate to see them huddled up in the corner like they are doing. I know it has only been overnight, but it worries me that they are doing this kind of behavior, and they are in the corner now sleeping. They eat well and all also. Please help if you can as I want to be sure I did nothing wrong. PLEASE
-----Answer-----
Hi James!!

Don't panic you have done nothing wrong. It is quite normal for them to choose to sleep somewhere other than their house. Now they are in a glass cage they may prefer to sleep huddled together in a corner, this is the same as my mine did. There is no draft or cool air to make them cold, and so they like to sleep somewhere different, and use their home as a place to eat!! Don't worry, if they want to sleep on their house they will always go back to it!!! You can't make them sleep in it, but remember you are not making them sleep away from it, it is their choice to do so!!

Hope this has relaxed you a bit,
Charlie

Answer
Hi James,

Really don't worry about asking me questions, it is not a problem, i do not mind!!

Again you can't make them use the wheel, but i would leave it in their for a little while longer!! Is it definitely in an accesible place for them???It may take them a while to come round to using it if they have not used one before!!

You can give them as many toilet rolls, and kitchen rolls to chew up as you like as these are easy to provide and the chances are you will often have one. They love to chew and dig, so providing anything that means they can chew and dig will be a good thing. Try other tubes from the pet shop, or wooden balls are a good option too!!You can get all sorts of items like this from the local pet shop!!

I hope this helps,
Thanks,
Charlie.