The BRODENTS! Rodent Enthusiast Thread!

[.Coffee]

So I got a winter white dwarf hamster named Alfie and he's finally stopped nibbling my fingers and I think he's chilled out quite a bit which is awesome!

Problem: He doesn't use his wheel. I don't think he knows how it works.

I'm keeping it in there in case he someday decides he wants to but I'm worried about it. Is it normal for hamsters to not use the wheel?

[Keriae]

So I got a winter white dwarf hamster named Alfie and he's finally stopped nibbling my fingers and I think he's chilled out quite a bit which is awesome!

Problem: He doesn't use his wheel. I don't think he knows how it works.

I'm keeping it in there in case he someday decides he wants to but I'm worried about it. Is it normal for hamsters to not use the wheel?

It's possible that his wheel is too small for him! Wheels that are too small are painful to use, and as such the hamster won't use them. The recommended minimum size for a dwarf is 20cm c:

[Eevee]

Has anyone had an experience with red eyed Gerbils? I bought two new Gerbils today and they have red eyes. I researched it before I bought them, and it’s normal in most cases. They seem healthy and alert. Their fur is shiny and soft. Just really skiddish (my first two were too when I just brought them home, so this isn’t an issue to me). I just want to know if anyone else had Gerbs with red eyes. It’s just new to me because I’m used to the black eyes ^^ thanks for any input!

Any rodent with red eyes has nothing wrong with them health wise, it's just the way they were born with genetics and such. There's a lot of myths about red eyed hamsters, rats, and gerbils, but it's completely natural. Nothing to be worried about!

Ahh thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear that!

[keylimecoyote]

I don't have any rodents yet, but I'm going to get mice. Ideally in around two months, but there's a high chance it'll be longer ;w;
I'm just marking this thread to stalk it while I wait for my mice.

[Cialline]

I don't have any rodents yet, but I'm going to get mice. Ideally in around two months, but there's a high chance it'll be longer ;w;
I'm just marking this thread to stalk it while I wait for my mice.

EEEYY congrats!
Females or one male? Do you have a set idea on the ones you'll be choosing? I just adopted my first mouse, a beautiful splashed blue long haired male <3

[Cialline]

Has anyone had an experience with red eyed Gerbils? I bought two new Gerbils today and they have red eyes. I researched it before I bought them, and it’s normal in most cases. They seem healthy and alert. Their fur is shiny and soft. Just really skiddish (my first two were too when I just brought them home, so this isn’t an issue to me). I just want to know if anyone else had Gerbs with red eyes. It’s just new to me because I’m used to the black eyes ^^ thanks for any input!

Any rodent with red eyes has nothing wrong with them health wise, it's just the way they were born with genetics and such. There's a lot of myths about red eyed hamsters, rats, and gerbils, but it's completely natural. Nothing to be worried about!

Ahh thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear that!

It's not completely true, because the lack of pigments in their pupil and sclera make them have a poor vision. I mean, rodents in general have a poor vision already, but albino / red eyed rodents (because not all red eyes are albino, take for exemples siamese genes who often combine with a red eyes gene or create red eyes) have an even less acute sight. Nothing wrong though health wise and they won't be agressive or anything (well gerbils can be feisty anyway, but not because of their eyes), just the eyesight.
And also, they are less loved by people; wich is a shame, so thank you for choosing a red eyed rodent!

Also, they might "scan" their head going from left to right, kinda like a rattlesnake. That's due to their poor vision but it's funny to watch, don't be alarmed when you see it happen!

[ryukrem]

quick rat question: my two oldest boys are going to be two next month, and they're getting thinner, benjy especially, i'm assuming it's just age since my younger boys are all a little chubby and they get fed the same (they're kept separate from the younger boys so i know it's not like a case of food being taken from them too). what's a good way to put a little weight on them? they're currently eating maz + healthy treats here and there if that helps.

Fellow rat mum here!
Give them lots of fatty foods. Cheese, protein, & grains. It should help fatten them up. Don't overdue it too much at the beginning, just gradually increase. They'll adore the food change I'm sure haha.

[heartleafed]

@ryukrem; they do get cheese as snacks pretty often, and i usually buy them plain oats i just haven't been as much lately (i'll have to pick some up this week)
their diets are on the higher end with protien though and i feel like i remember hearing they can't have too much so i'm tentative to overdo it on that end, which led me to a bit of a dead end trying to find high fat low protien foods
i'm going to try finding some plain sunflower seeds and nuts for them, hopefully adding that plus some more cheese and oats should get some weight back on them and also get me some bonus rat dad points

[ryukrem]

@ryukrem; they do get cheese as snacks pretty often, and i usually buy them plain oats i just haven't been as much lately (i'll have to pick some up this week)
their diets are on the higher end with protien though and i feel like i remember hearing they can't have too much so i'm tentative to overdo it on that end, which led me to a bit of a dead end trying to find high fat low protien foods
i'm going to try finding some plain sunflower seeds and nuts for them, hopefully adding that plus some more cheese and oats should get some weight back on them and also get me some bonus rat dad points

Adult's probably shouldn't be having much protein at all. What rat food are you feeding them?
Try rice & unsalted crackers. Carbs should help with this situation. A serving size is the size of their head, so try giving them two servings each and see how that helps. You can even mix in some egg with the rice which though high in protein is also high in healthy fats.

[Eevee]

Has anyone had an experience with red eyed Gerbils? I bought two new Gerbils today and they have red eyes. I researched it before I bought them, and it’s normal in most cases. They seem healthy and alert. Their fur is shiny and soft. Just really skiddish (my first two were too when I just brought them home, so this isn’t an issue to me). I just want to know if anyone else had Gerbs with red eyes. It’s just new to me because I’m used to the black eyes ^^ thanks for any input!

Any rodent with red eyes has nothing wrong with them health wise, it's just the way they were born with genetics and such. There's a lot of myths about red eyed hamsters, rats, and gerbils, but it's completely natural. Nothing to be worried about!

It's not completely true, because the lack of pigments in their pupil and sclera make them have a poor vision. I mean, rodents in general have a poor vision already, but albino / red eyed rodents (because not all red eyes are albino, take for exemples siamese genes who often combine with a red eyes gene or create red eyes) have an even less acute sight. Nothing wrong though health wise and they won't be agressive or anything (well gerbils can be feisty anyway, but not because of their eyes), just the eyesight.
And also, they are less loved by people; wich is a shame, so thank you for choosing a red eyed rodent!

Also, they might "scan" their head going from left to right, kinda like a rattlesnake. That's due to their poor vision but it's funny to watch, don't be alarmed when you see it happen!

Thank you so much for the response! I think their red eyes are lovely! (My Mom doesn’t think so unfortunately, I wish people didn’t judge them by their eyes). They are the sweetest! Especially my little lilac one (His name is Walnut). He will lick my arm when I put my hand in the cage and he is just the sweetest Gerbil I have owned! His brother (An Argente named Hazelnut) is still pretty jumpy and scared though (probably from the poor eyesight) other than that, they are perfectly healthy! And I love them dearly already. I just saw lots of google searches explain that it could be some sort of other issue. Or that red eyed rodents are mean and what not. Like i said, my little lilac guy is super friendly. I really appreciate the responses!