gerbil fur

Question
I wanted to let you know that our Bits is doing well.  Since she has remained very active, is eating and drinking, and I could see no discharge from her nose I decided not to give her any treatment.  I am putting the bathing dust in her cage for a few minutes a couple of times a week and she has begun to give a quick roll in it as well as digging wildly.  Her fur has regained its gloss though I think it is a bit fluffier than before.  Is it possible she is growing more of a coat due to the colder temperatures in our home at night?   

Her nose still seems a bit red (but not all the time)or even the tiniest bit crusty sometimes, but there are no other symptoms indicating she is sick.  She is on carefresh litter.  

Is there a limit to how much cardboard box chewing she should do? Every day she seems to delight in destroying  toilet paper rolls and usually an entire small box.  Is she just working really hard to remove extra "rubbish" from her home or is this good for her to have so much chewing time?

Thank you
Melissa

Answer
Hi Melissa,

It may be possible she is growing more fur to keep her warm in cooler temperatures, and as long as it doesn't look greasy or stand up in clumps then i don't think there is anything to worry about there!!

She can chew as much as she wants, it wont do her any harm, in the wild they would spend their day digging and chewing to rearrange or repair their burrows so don't worry you won't do her any harm there!!

I am pleased to hear she is doing well!!! Sounds like she is very happy!!

Thanks,
Charlie.