A Beginners Guide to Gerbil Care

Gerbils are active with great personalities. When raised right and handled properly, gerbils make wonderful furry companions.

However, like every animal, Gerbils require a lot of time, care and patience. If you considering taking gerbils on or are just interested in this fun species here is what you need to know.

What are Gerbils?

This is an adorable and active rodent species, that originate from Mongolia.

They spend their time in social groups and live in an elaborate network of tunnels they have dug themselves. Adult gerbils will reach around 9.5-13.5cm in length, including their furry tail.

The typical weight of an adult is approximately 60-130g.

A typical gerbil’s life expectancy is between 3-3.5 years; however, they have been known to live much longer.

Gerbils can be active at any time. They often go through several active and sleep cycles across 24 hours. So be aware this means they can be noisy across the night!

Should Gerbils be Housed Together?

Gerbils must live with their species; they rely on each other for security and reassurance. However, they should be introduced before they are fully grown to avoid conflict.

This is why it is worth taking on a pair of already bonded gerbils of the same sex. In general, it is best to take on an even number of gerbils, so either a pair or a group of four.

What Do Gerbils Eat?

These clever little rodents are omnivores, which means they would naturally eat plant and animal matter in the wild.

The ideal way to feed is by using a high-quality commercial Gerbil mix alongside fresh vegetables every other day. Remember gerbils are natural foragers, so rather than popping their food in a bowl, scatter it around their enclosure for them to discover.

A pair of gerbils will only need a TABLESPOON of food per day.

Fresh vegetables will be loved by gerbils, here are some safe options:

• Red/ Green Bell Peppers
• Curly Kale
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Cucumber
• Carrot

Any vegetables given should be no bigger than a 5p piece. Never feed avocado, iceberg lettuce, garlic, onions or potato. These are unsuitable and some can be toxic.

What Should I House Gerbils in?

Gerbils are active and inquisitive, so will need plenty of space to explore and most importantly dig!

The best environment will be made from glass with a secure mesh lid. Gerbils are prolific chewers and can and will chew through the plastic parts of cages.

A pair of gerbils will need a MINIMUM space of: 70cm length x 35cm wide x 50cm tall.

Bigger is always better when it comes to cage size. It is essential to keep gerbils’ nature in mind when deciding on an appropriate enclosure.

Gerbils are born to dig! In the wild, they will dig an elaborate series of tunnels and chambers, which can extend over several feet and go to a depth of 1.7 metres. So, to ensure gerbils get to use this natural skill, you should be providing deep substrate.

A depth of 25-30cm is best, adding layers of cardboard to provide structure. Use dust-extracted wood shavings and add in a sprinkling of fresh hay and bedding material.

Gerbils love creating their own nests and will use these materials to make a sleeping space. Plus, watching your gerbils run around gathering hay in their mouths is certainly adorable.

Will Gerbils Play?

This curious species loves to investigate new toys and objects placed in their cage. Gerbils will become bored and stressed if you give them nothing to do, so it’s important to provide play and gnawing opportunities.

Gerbils are rodents, so they have hypsodont teeth, which means continuously growing. Gnawing on safe wooden objects keeps their teeth healthy and satisfies their natural urge to chew.

Wooden tubes, egg cartons and paper packaging make great DIY toys for gerbils to get their teeth into. Adding a glass jar to your enclosure will also keep gerbils highly entertained. They may nest in it, or scrabble around it, plus the material will be difficult to chew through even for those powerful gerbil teeth.

Do Gerbils Need Bathing?

Sand bathing is an essential part of gerbil care.

Gerbils should be offered a sand bath a few times a week. They will roll around in it, and like magic, all the oil and debris will be removed from their coats. Sand can be contained in anything, if the space allows for your gerbils to get in, out and roll around.

Always use pet-safe natural bathing sand and pop the sand bath in for around 20-30 minutes before removing.

Gerbils can suffer from a condition called sore nose; this is a bacterial infection that affects the glands around the nose. If they do not groom themselves properly the glands can become irritated. The constant scratching of their nose leads to infection. Regular sand baths at least once or twice a week are key to preventing this condition.

When it comes to their general cage cleanliness, gerbils are not messy or smelly creatures. Their enclosure will typically require cleaning once weekly. Remember to always use a pet-safe disinfectant.

Health Checking Gerbils

• Is underneath the tail clean? – gerbils can lose the skin and tissue from their tail if not handled properly. Never pick them up by their tails.
• Do they have all their toes and nails? Are they clean and not overgrown?
• Do the legs move freely with no staggering or stiffness?
• Are the teeth present? Are they straight and not overgrown?
• Is the nose clean with no discharge?
• Are the eyes bright and clear? – remember milky/ discoloured eyes could be a sign of serious disease.
• Stroke the ears; are they smooth and clean?
• Is the fur clean with no bald patches or parasites?
• Blow in the fur; the skin should be healthy, not red, dry, or flaky.
• Feel the body. Is it fat enough? It should not feel bloated or bony.
• Listen to the chest. Is the breathing almost silent with no wheezing

Always go to the vet as soon as possible if you notice any of the above or anything unusual in your gerbil’s health and behaviour.

Gerbils make great pets for the right owners, they are sweet, lively and very entertaining to watch.