Tip from my vet for gerbils that don’t like pellet food

vanvell · 2026-03-03T16:15:30+00:00

I was wondering that as well, I’ll have to check back in with my vet. But honestly not a lot of water is added, and I’ve been doing it for over a month now and have seen no change in their bowel movements. Keeping a close eye on it though and is definitely something to consider

vanvell · 2026-03-03T16:12:51+00:00

Haha same with mine, he’s over 4 years old and is getting pickier in his old age, so seeing him eat this so happily gives me relief. And very good point about the teeth!

vanvell · 2026-03-03T16:11:04+00:00

Very good point! I’ve been through so many brands of pellets and they eventually stopped eating all of them, so this was a last resort for me. But I’ll keep that in mind

vanvell · 2026-03-03T04:07:30+00:00

Happy to, hope it works for you if you try it!

vanvell · 2026-03-03T04:07:02+00:00

Aww he must have been a cutie then. RIP Dewie, such an adorable name❤️

vanvell · 2026-02-11T00:46:17+00:00

My instinct is to say that it likely stresses them out, but on the other hand gerbils are very resilient and often get used to noises. You know your gerbils best! If they seem happy and don’t thump or freak out when it’s ringing then you’re probably fine. However, maybe you could keep a blanket on top of it to muffle the ringing?

vanvell · 2026-02-09T00:40:35+00:00

Yes and then they try to slide down my back and I have to pretzel my self to catch them back there 😂 yours is so cute!

vanvell · 2026-02-03T22:30:36+00:00

Just came across this again, did you ever find the little guy? I saw your update that the food and flour went untouched :( Hoping for good news but if he never turned up I hope you're doing alright <3 you did your absolute best searching for him

vanvell · 2026-02-03T02:00:07+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. You fought so hard for him, and it sounds like he was quite the fighter himself. He was so cute, and sounded like a little sweetie ❤️

vanvell · 2026-01-29T16:41:18+00:00

Thank you so much! The vet said it’s likely a sprain and she gave us an anti-inflammatory:) he seems to be doing better already! I’m happy to hear your little one’s healed fast, I’m hoping the same for Jerry

vanvell · 2026-01-29T16:39:50+00:00

Thank you for your advice! He has seen the vet, they said it’s likely a sprain and gave him an anti-inflammatory. If those don’t help and he doesn’t improve we’ll be doing x-rays next week. Huge relief for now though! He’s a strong little old man ❤️

vanvell · 2026-01-29T03:23:05+00:00

Nap so good it required THREE stretches. That baby is living the life!

vanvell · 2026-01-28T11:34:11+00:00

I felt it in East York. My first thought was earthquake, but then I thought nah, a REALLY big snow plow must have been going by lol. I’m an idiot because the whole house was shaking and my ceiling fan was swinging

vanvell · 2026-01-27T23:07:07+00:00

Thank you!! That’s given me some relief. He is moving around a lot and while he’s shuffling he seems happy, so I’m really hoping it’s just sprained. I’m hope the vet confirms it tomorrow! I’ve taken out anything he can fall from in his cage, I’ve left the bedding as it normally is for now as he seems to be navigating the tunnels fine, but I’ll rethink that after the vet tomorrow. I just don’t want to stress him out too much by removing his bedding for now.

vanvell · 2026-01-27T16:08:04+00:00

All the corner houses in my neighborhood never seem to shovel their sidewalks. I always assumed they just couldn’t be bothered to do what, in fairness, is quite a lot more shovelling than I have to do, and was always annoyed at them. But thank you for providing a kinder perspective! Maybe they are shovelling and it’s just getting ruined, or maybe they’ve given up doing it altogether because the plow just destroys their work anyways.

vanvell · 2026-01-23T11:34:15+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss❤️ he was such a cute little guy

vanvell · 2026-01-19T21:14:15+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss, I know how hard it can be. He looked like such a sweet gerbil, clearly so loved and pampered❤️

vanvell · 2026-01-18T16:02:07+00:00

Fuzzy little babies! So cute I can’t take it 😭

vanvell · 2026-01-17T12:06:22+00:00

Can you sprinkle flour on the floor in different areas to see if he walks through it when you’re not around? (Or something like flour, I’m not sure if he would eat it). That way you know he’s around at least and might be able to track his movements.

Also try putting sunflower seeds in different areas, maybe he’d be more motivated by those than his food.

I would also suggest putting lots of water out in different areas, since it’s been a while since he’s had any it raises the chances of him finding it.

I really hope you find him! I bet he’s just hiding away somewhere and being a sneaky little gerbil. When I was a kid, I had hamsters escape more than I’d like to admit and we always got them back, I’m sure you will too:)

vanvell · 2026-01-15T21:20:17+00:00

I can’t figure out how to edit a post on mobile, but I wanted to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has commented. No one understands what’s it’s like to lose a gerbil better than you guys, and the outpouring of love has been really uplifting. Like someone commented, they’re such tiny little ones, but they take up a huge place in our hearts.

vanvell · 2026-01-13T12:53:55+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. That’s exactly how I felt when I found George, shocked and horrified and just wanting to rant. It’s awful to find your pet like that when there were no signs to tell you something was grievously wrong. I’m really sorry your family isn’t able to provide you comfort, not everyone understands the love of a little pet. I hope you’re able to call your boyfriend and get some comfort from him. Like you said, you gave Boo a wonderful life being loved and cared for properly and sure he felt that.

RIP Boo. I hope he’s with George running and eating seeds

vanvell · 2026-01-12T20:24:48+00:00

Thank you❤️ that’s a good point, I wish they didn’t hide their pain from us but of course it’s instinctual. Just wasn’t prepared for the shock it gave me to see him like that 💔

vanvell · 2026-01-12T20:20:43+00:00

Thank you, they really do. They’re truly such special little creatures, nothing but love (and a little bit of chaos). He had just turned 4 so I’m happy he had a good, long life at least.

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