Comparison of Rodents

[Christi]

I found this comparison of care for different rodents - pretty helpful!

http://uk.geocities.com/delphiusrodents/Differences.htm

[Zouave]

Nice site, and helful info.

>> Syrian hamsters tend to be less sociable and can bite <<

Mine never bite, and I have 11 right now.

Gerbils >> are the best of the bunch << ?

I love gerbs, but that is a subjective relative comment.

[Zouave]

Let me add. . .

>> Especially if you make a Gerbilarium for them. They can go without being cleaned out for a couple of months. So in that time you should be able to convince your son to clean them out! ;-) Even going that long, the only smell is the smell of the peat.

I find I have to clean out the animals to avoid smells in the following order of smell:

Guinea Pigs (indoors): every other day.

Rats: Every two days.

Jirds, Degus and Hamsters: Once a week

Rabbits & Guinea Pigs (outdoors): once a week.

Gerbils: Once every two months. <<

GP's EVERY OTHER DAY?? Give me a break. I use Carefresh and my two get cleaned out once a week and they are just fine. As I use five dollars worth of the stuff each week I am not doing it every other day - a half hour operation.

Gerbilariums. I doubt if many people could use it right. I clean my aspen-bottomed tanks one every two weeks even if there is no smell as it is more hygenic and keeps bug problems at a minimum.

Oh! I just realized. One gerb who developed an allergy to aspen half a year ago now does NOT have that allergy: I forget a few months ago and put her back on aspen, and she is fine. Odd.

[Padfoot]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zouave Oh! I just realized. One gerb who developed an allergy to aspen half a year ago now does NOT have that allergy: I forget a few months ago and put her back on aspen, and she is fine. Odd.

Be careful with that... some allergies don't show signs but are building up slowly, till one day they "explode".

[Amethystbelle]

Good site my only complaint is on the degu description it says they need cleaning out once a week as they smell, mine don't smell at all and i only do a major clean out once a month. They are in huge cages which are still normally pretty clean, the shavings are still always like new. I do give the shelves a wripe once a week and always check the cages thoroughly and replace the bedding and sand etc... but they are always clean and never smell, i must just have clean degu's

[Sasami]

It's a good site but I disagree with some stuff said about Syrian hamsters. Mine never bit and they weren't smelly...

[corgimom]

My degus don't smell and need to be cleaned that often, either. My rat is fine for a week, not 2 days, as well.

[Purplebunny]

My degus dont smell either.. I do clean the cage out once a week, only because there are 5 in the cage.. I could leave it longer, if needed..