great video! btw, also note that sands like tiny friends farm are sometimes made from clay(they call it sepiolite sand) which is dangerous and can stick to their airways😨so only use quartz sand, sanitised play sand or reptile sand
Yes, Corn Meal for the win. This is what our two gerbils, Han and Chewy, use and they have taken to it like a fish to water. Corn meal is very price friendly and can be purchased in the flour isle.
found this video while searching r/gerbil for safe sand. i'm really glad you added specific brands, it makes searching a lot easier! edit: i will try the black sand at some point, i didn't know it was a safe option!
Anything with calcium is something to avoid with them! You're welcome! Sorry you were advised by someone unfamiliar with the issues dusty sand can cause for gerbils.
Hey, i’m just wondering if soil is a suitable bedding material for gerbils? I know people use it for hamsters but does it work for gerbils aswell? I was thinking of using it together with some shredded paper in their bigger half of the enclosure. But I’m not sure if my gerbils would enjoy it or if it’s safe for them to use in a larger area.
In my personal opinion I wouldn't use it, as it would have to stay moist to be able to retain its shape, dry, loose soil is very crumbly and wouldn't pack together well. I would not recommend misting the enclosure with paper in there, as it could potentially mold. I give my gerbils a dig pot with soil and they love it!
@@TheGerbilVineAlright, thank you:) i’ll probobly continue to just use shredded apper then, and i’ll consider a dig pot:) again thank you for answering!
I got the "litter" my gerbil HATED it, within seconds of checking it out, she kicked it out and seemed so mad over it, she didn't even want it in her cage in any way.
@@TheGerbilVine the pebble one with the blue and white pebbles lol I bought the one where it came with the pebble litter, the "litter box" and a scoop. She is VERY sassy and likes things her way, and doesn't want a nice cage setup, she makes it a mess everytime lol. I've been trying to figure out a replacement sand that's safer then the one I was using so I appreciate this video a lot. It's just hard to track down any sand at my local pet stores.
So the flour consistency is gonna be the one that you want to avoid. I started out with something similar and it was so dusty and it would leave a dust wave all over the gerbils and the tank.
@@tyroneobamacare4998 yes and no. You just want to make sure it is in fact sand, as some advertise as being sand but are more of a gravel like consistency. You also want to avoid any type of sand containing calcium.
What sand do you guys use for your gerbils ? :)
I like to use natural repti sand. I buy it off Amazon like you
I use gerry the gerbils stand but but my gerbils don't bath in it they use it as a toilet.
great video! btw, also note that sands like tiny friends farm are sometimes made from clay(they call it sepiolite sand) which is dangerous and can stick to their airways😨so only use quartz sand, sanitised play sand or reptile sand
Yes, Corn Meal for the win. This is what our two gerbils, Han and Chewy, use and they have taken to it like a fish to water. Corn meal is very price friendly and can be purchased in the flour isle.
found this video while searching r/gerbil for safe sand. i'm really glad you added specific brands, it makes searching a lot easier!
edit: i will try the black sand at some point, i didn't know it was a safe option!
Omg I bought the vita sand white calcium bc the petco employee told me it was safe -_- returning it asap! Thank you!
Anything with calcium is something to avoid with them! You're welcome!
Sorry you were advised by someone unfamiliar with the issues dusty sand can cause for gerbils.
Thanks for the information!
the reptisand is my favorite! It’s so fine and I can clean it so easily!
Hey, i’m just wondering if soil is a suitable bedding material for gerbils? I know people use it for hamsters but does it work for gerbils aswell? I was thinking of using it together with some shredded paper in their bigger half of the enclosure. But I’m not sure if my gerbils would enjoy it or if it’s safe for them to use in a larger area.
In my personal opinion I wouldn't use it, as it would have to stay moist to be able to retain its shape, dry, loose soil is very crumbly and wouldn't pack together well. I would not recommend misting the enclosure with paper in there, as it could potentially mold.
I give my gerbils a dig pot with soil and they love it!
@@TheGerbilVineAlright, thank you:) i’ll probobly continue to just use shredded apper then, and i’ll consider a dig pot:) again thank you for answering!
I got the "litter" my gerbil HATED it, within seconds of checking it out, she kicked it out and seemed so mad over it, she didn't even want it in her cage in any way.
What litter? Often if the sand bath is not deep or high enough they can kick it out! Sounds like you've got a sassy little lady lol
@@TheGerbilVine the pebble one with the blue and white pebbles lol I bought the one where it came with the pebble litter, the "litter box" and a scoop. She is VERY sassy and likes things her way, and doesn't want a nice cage setup, she makes it a mess everytime lol. I've been trying to figure out a replacement sand that's safer then the one I was using so I appreciate this video a lot. It's just hard to track down any sand at my local pet stores.
I bought You&me chinchilla bath dust from a national pet store chain. Kind of feels like flour. My gerbil seems to like it.
So the flour consistency is gonna be the one that you want to avoid. I started out with something similar and it was so dusty and it would leave a dust wave all over the gerbils and the tank.
Is silica sand safe for gerbils
No
So is it okay to get play sand from a hardware store? I’m having a hard time finding the sands you suggested.
It is okay to get sand from a hardware store, you just have to bake it first. I buy my sand off Amazon and from Pet Smart if that helps !
yes, as long as you sanitize and sift through it
Can I use play sand for gerbils?
You most certainly can ! Just make sure you bake it first.
@@TheGerbilVine is all children play sand safe
@@tyroneobamacare4998 yes and no. You just want to make sure it is in fact sand, as some advertise as being sand but are more of a gravel like consistency. You also want to avoid any type of sand containing calcium.