Any gerbil experts out there? Distraught DD wants to get the lone gerbil at the pet shop

[chicaguapa]

DD(11) is on her third pair of gerbils, which she bought 6/8 weeks ago from Pets at Home. She goes back all the time to check on the other ones that she didn't choose. Now in the other cage, there is just one left and DD is distraught about it. She wants to buy it and give it a home.

She already has 2 females and this lone one is a female too but they are from different families. We don't think we'll be able to introduce the new female to the existing 2 even though they are all still young, but DD says it'll be better for the lone one to have its own cage and fuss & attention from her than be left in the pet shop on its own.

I wondered what the consensus was. I'm reluctant to get one to keep on its own but I can see her point about its life in the pet shop. Is there any chance at all that it could be introduced to the 2 other females? DD is crying big tears about this gerbil, but I want to do the right thing for it.

This seems like it might have some useful info gerbilsociety.com/indysrascals/gerbil-bonding/

You could do it but there is a risk that they'd never get on.

You'd need another cage for the lone gerbil and put cages right next to each other so they can see/smell each other.

Keep the lone gerbil on her own but swap them between cages every couple of days. So put lone gerbil in current cage and other 2 in the new cage. Keep swapping them.

After a cople of weeks put them all in together, watch closely,you may need to pull the new one out.

You also need to make sure the cage is big enough for 3.

Thanks. We have a spare cage but both have solid sides so we're looking at a split cage in a plastic box. I've read lots about it now but still not sure if it'll work. Though they are still relatively young so maybe it will.

DD will get a new cage for the 3 if they can live together. If not, we'll see if we can rehome another single female and have 2 pairs. DD is happier now and waiting for P@H to open in the morning.

Good luck!