Introducing a New Gerbil to an Older One, and Toddlers holding Gerbils

 When introducing a new gerbil to our beloved gerbil Anna, I never expected what would happen. I bought another gerbil so that on cold nights they could cuddle and groom each other. What I quickly learned was that Gerbils do not become friends immediately. I made sure I bought the same sex and only one more because three females can be angry.I didn't expect two to be angry, but... They have to state dominance, and since Anna was the older Gerbil with ownership of the cage, she did indeed state her dominance.

 Anna bit Emmy's tail in three places. I was heartbroken. I started searching online more deeply. I saw that there was a separate cage system idea online but I didn't have a separate cage.

 I remembered that I kept glass jars and put two in the cage. That solved all problems. Anna was able to hide when she was tired and annoyed from the baby,and Emmy was able to hide if threatened.

 They loved those hiding places so much, they slept there, rested there, and even groomed each other from the front of there jars. If they didn't want company, they would say no at the entrance of the jar. The other always understood.

 Since Emmy is young, she acts much like a baby. Even though she was bit and bled a lot, she adored Anna. Last night she slept on the top of her jar just to be close to her.

 When the toddlers wanted to see the gerbils it was easy to just grab a jar. That was now both gerbils' comfort zone and they were able to hold the gerbil without a her running around the house. (although sometimes we let them run around for exercise and adventure). They love people and their cages... and behind the dryer. Remember always to vacuum after a free gerbil run, they poop often. but now we had these jars and the toddlers could hold them, without them running off.

 The gerbils would stay in the jars and not run out because that was their bed, in fact they fell asleep most times being held. We only had a few peeping shows.

 When I put the two jars together, it was as if they had missed each other terribly, and so excited to see each other again. I am glad I got Emmy for Anna.

 They love to groom and kiss and cuddle, Emmy, the new gerbil, is especially clingy, even to people, she is a lover.

 I saw they needed time together again and put them back into the cage. This process of acquainting Gerbils is much faster than the two cage system which can take days or weeks. (This was only 12 hours) I hope it works well for you also.