Can gerbils have a affect on allergies? If so, what are ways to reduce the facters?

I am trying to convince my parents to let me get a gerbil. My sister is allergic to hay but I dont believe they need LOADS of hay. They will probably have to stay in my room but it would be nice to assure them in another way, if this is even a problem. My friends brother is allergic to almost everything and they own a gerbil. Soo.... any advice?

Well, since your sister is allergic to HAY, don't give them hay. The hay is usually used just for something to chew on. I am convincing my mom to let me get 2 Gerbils right now and I think it is working. I have been woking with other animals- i had to take care of a dog for a long time, clean up dog poop and litter boxes, clean up cat vomit, feed fish, reptiles, and take care of fish and hamsters. Prove that you are responsible, read a lot about Gerbils- I have been researching them and found out that reading about them is very interesting. I read a 200 page guide about Gerbils in one night and a day! Find out more about them, raise at least $75 dollars -cage, food, bedding, Gerbils {- they are best in pairs, even if you don't want to breed- get 2 of the same gender so they have a friend or they get lonely and may nip/bite}, toys, spray so they don't stink... they aren't a very big responsibility- feed them once a day and make sure they have fresh water like 3 times a day... play w/ them for like a half hour in all every day each and once a week give them a bath in chincilla powder (it's this dusty stuff that they love to roll around in and it makes them clean- NEVER use water) and clean out their cage once a week.

Good luck w/ convincing your parents- it might take a month or 2, so if you are seriously willing to clean up after animals and clean bedding and feed and play with them plus research them, start proving it. Try to get a job pet-sitting since it's the summer and people go away for vacations. (you also earn money that way towards the Gerbils) Research a lot and start memorizing terms from Glossaries, making reports, ect.- they'll let u have one wen u become totally responsible and wen ur a Gerbil Xpert.

**Make sure to mention more than once that your sister is allergic to JUST the hay which they don't even need at all**

Good Luck!!!!

you can put shredded news paper in the cage instead of hay My vet says that news paper is better for them than cedar chips and hay anyways......that would probably help with your sisters allergies! and make sure that you keep the cage as clean as possible! Hope this helps
Gerbils don't need hay at all. Get something besides the wood shavings to use on the bottom of the cage, such as the carefresh bedding it looks kind of like shredded cardboard or use shredded newspaper.
There's no reason for you to have any hay in your gerbil cage. Use Aspen chips for bedding.

I would take your sister with you to the pet store and handle some gerbils or hamsters there. Then see if she has any reactions.