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Sweet heavens, I didn't think I'd ever post here but sighs here we are. My darling son decided it'd be a good idea to use the vacuum to clean up his gerbil's habitat. The poor soul survived the ordeal but he's been terrified of any wooshing sound ever since.
Needless to say, I've had some long, stern talks with my child about responsibility and today... well today he's designing a new, trauma-friendly habitat for our newly skittish pet. Wish us luck!
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Habitat designer here.
After traumatic events, pets will need a safe and stress-free environment to help cope. Your new design should have multiple hiding places where the gerbil can retreat to if it feels scared. Cardboard tubes or even small paper bags work well for this. Also, refrain from sudden changes in the environment or loud noises.
Remember, a multi-level design may be a good idea to offer lots of distractions and places for exploration! Avoid too many open spaces; in the wild, gerbils are prey and hence, open spaces can make them feel exposed.
Lastly, might I suggest a tank with a mesh top? It will prevent external disturbances while providing enough ventilation. Just a thought. Wishing your gerbil a speedy recovery!
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lol done something similar to my hamster once. They're resilient little buggers. Best of luck to the little fella and your kid too. Vacuum cleaner can be pretty scary, I guess. 🙃🐹
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Veterinarian here. Stress in small mammals can lead to health issues, so it's important that you've recognized this and are taking steps to help your gerbil feel safe. Try to keep the cage in a low-traffic area of your house and limit handling for a while. More greenery can also make them feel safe. You should notice improvements over time - rodents are resilient and can recover from stress, just like us!
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Aww, bless his heart. Your son must've been quite the Hero of the Day, thinking he was helping out. 😁 Giving him the task of designing a new habitat is brilliant! Learning curve for them both. Good luck!
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I've never owned a gerbil but this story is both heartbreaking and too cute! Sounds like your little guy is going to have a luxury suite soon. Best of luck to you and the little warrior👍🐾
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Bet the vacuum cleaner got more scared, swallowing a gerbil and all! Good on your boy for making amends. The pet saga of your house must be epic. 😂
Oh no! Your poor little critter! Sudden noise and drastic changes can indeed traumatize them. Glad you folks are working on the recovery plan. Some soft bedding and a quiet space can go a long way. Good luck!