Gerbil Care
Unlike hamsters, gerbils are social and like living with another gerbil, preferably a same-sex sibling. As with any small animal, the bigger the cage, the better – a cage should never be smaller than 12” x 20.”
Housing
There are three types of housing for gerbils:
Aquariums
A 10-gallon plastic or glass aquarium is suitable for a pair of gerbils. We recommend keeping a vented top on the aquarium. A barred top is much better than a screened one. We recommend a barred cage over an aquarium, as an aquarium has limited placement for toys and air circulation can be a problem. NEVER place an aquarium in the direct sunlight.
Barred Cages
From a basic single story cage to a multi-level home, barred cages offer great variety for your gerbils’ home. When purchasing a multi-level cage, ensure that the levels are not too far apart in case of a fall, and for any barred cage ensure the bottom is plastic. Always double check the bar spacing to ensure it is not too wide.
Bedding
Using the right type of bedding in your gerbils’ home is imperative for his health and well-being. Pine or cedar shavings must be avoided at all costs. They cause respiratory problems and can be very dangerous for all small animals.
Aspen shavings, Care Fresh or a similar paper shaving, or shredded paper can be used. Gerbils will also enjoy pieces of unscented tissue, toilet paper or paper towel for building their nests.
Cleaning
Keeping your gerbils’ home clean is important for their health and happiness. Wet or dirty bedding should be scooped out daily. The entire cage should be cleaned with soap and water once a week along with entirely fresh bedding. Toys, houses and other items should be cleaned at least once a month or more often as needed.
Nutrition
Gerbils enjoy eating a variety of nuts, vegetables and fruits. Contrary to popular belief, their diet should not include a lot of seeds. A good quality gerbil food should be a mainstay of your gerbils’ diet.
We recommend Martin Mills Little Friends Hamster & Gerbil Food. This should be supplemented with fresh vegetables like carrots or a small amount of lettuce. Fresh fruit should be used sparingly and primarily for treats.
Gerbils also enjoy fresh hay, like Timothy, for munching and burrowing in. Gerbils enjoy the occasional dog biscuit – they add protein to their diet and help keep their teeth trimmed.
Toys and Exercise
Gerbils love having places to hide and play. We recommend:
- A hidey-house for your gerbils to make their nest in – this will give your gerbils a place to tuck away and feel safe
- A solid metal or plastic wheel for running. Avoid wire wheels at all costs – they can be very dangerous for little gerbil feet and their long tails can get caught. The wheel should be large enough that the hamster doesn’t arch his back when running.
- Toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes and wooden bird toys
- Organic apple or willow branches for chewing
In order to create our gerbil guide we used the following sources:
www.humanesociety.org/animals/gerbils
www.gerbilcare.org
www.rabbitrescue.ca
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