My gerbil is allergic to bedding. What are creative, safe options?

Gerbils come from a desert environment, but sand as a substrate is not practical and difficult to keep clean. Instead, you can use aspen shavings, hay or recycled paper bedding. Make it deep enough so they can tunnel through it and make little nests.

Cottons sheets or shredded paper can be very effective, as can lining the bedding area with aeroboard insulation or inch deep rubber matting. If he is also allergic to dust mites, bedding should be replaced/boil washed and the area vacuumed at least once a week

Thanks for reaching out. Some animal tame better than others. The key is gaining their trust, often with the use of treats. Once they're used to your hand in the cage with slow and deliberate movements, leave the hand flat and allow them to crawl over it. Next your can attempt to lift them from below. Grabbing them from above often results in fear biting. Not sure if your asking about breeding or bedding. The bedding should be spot cleaned daily, as gerbils will often choose a corner to use as a toilet. The flooring should be a solid bottom to prevent leg damage. It can be covered with a softer material such as recycled paper products, which are absorptive and non-toxic. Many of the wood products are aromatic and damage lungs if inhaled over long periods of time. Good luck.

Care fresh bedding is what is recommended. It is the safest, healthiest bedding. Controls odors up to two times longer than traditional bedding. Absorbs up to three times its weight in liquid. Made from reclaimed wood pulp waste, not recycled paper. *99% dust-free for easy cleanup *Natural paper small animal bedding *CareFresh pet bedding with 10-day odor control formula *Absorbs 3 times more liquid than wood shavings Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Change the bedding. If you are using pine or cedar, it can cause irritation or allergies. Use aspen shavings or recycled paper pellets. If he has an open wound, he should see a veterinarian. Infection is a concern and Zeus may need antibiotics.

Thanks for reaching out about Bo Linny. Coughing could be caused by multiple things but "dusty" bedding (such as wood products) or aromatic woods (cedar, redwood, pine) can cause respiratory irritation or inflammation, and therefore don't make to best bedding, especially if living directly on top. Recycled paper products seem to work the best, as being low dust and highly absorptive. Good luck.

Those things should be safe to chew on as long as they are clean. Egg carton should not be treated with any stains or chemicals. T-shirts need to be clean, a concern would be if they chew and ingest. Popsicle sticks should be fine. Newspapers generally use non-toxic inks but can possibly stain fur if gets wet and on the fur. Good luck.