gerbil cages
and tanks The best way to mimic their natural habitat and keep them happy is to buy a gerbilarium or tank with cage additions You can also house them in a large tank or
old aquarium
with a secure wire lid and plenty of material for them to dig and tunnel into.
What do gerbils need in a cage?
Gerbil housing Gerbils have fur on the soles of their feet and so don’t climb well. Your gerbils’ housing needs: Enough space – the gerbilarium should be large enough to provide shelter, opportunities to dig and space to exercise. Nesting and bedding materials – gerbils naturally build nests.
Are gerbils happy in a cage?
A nice, well-positioned cage A gerbil’s enclosure is where they will spend the vast majority of their lives, so it’s really important to get it right. Each of your (at least two) gerbils will need at least ten gallons of space in order to not feel too cramped.
What do you put at the bottom of a gerbil cage?
- Use absorbent bedding such as recycled paper bedding or dust-free Aspen shavings
- You can also use plain, shredded paper that does not have any newsprint on it.
Do gerbils recognize their owners?
Gerbils can remember their owners and things they deem important, but precisely what they can recall is unclear Gerbils remember their owners based on scent and appearance. They can recall gerbil cage mates, learn tricks, and know their names. Gerbils won’t forget if you’re unkind to them, e.g., you hit them.
Do gerbils like to be held?
One of the nicest things about having pets is cuddling, stroking, and holding them close to you. But because gerbils get easily nervous and scared, they may not seem to be as affectionate. Most gerbils enjoy petting or sitting in your hand Some gerbils will allow you to cuddle or hug them once trust is established.
Are gerbils hard to take care of?
Gerbils are popular pets because they tend to be easy to care for and are clean with minimal odor, but they do have some special requirements to keep them happy and healthy. Due to their social nature, gerbils need to live in a pair or group. The lifespan for a gerbil is typically 3-4 years.
Do gerbils smell?
Gerbils don’t smell anywhere near as bad as other rodents Rodents have a typical and distinctive smell. The smell is variously described as musty, like ammonia or like urine. However, gerbils don’t smell anywhere near as bad as other pets like mice or hamsters.
Are cages or tanks better for gerbils?
Glass aquariums or terrariums are a popular option for gerbil cages and the one most often recommended, Hanna says. These containers are inexpensive, easy to clean and allow you to observe your gerbils more pleasurably. Most importantly, the gerbils cannot chew through these enclosures.
Will my gerbil be OK alone?
Gerbils are sociable animals, and their group sizes in the
wild range
from two to 15 animals of all ages and sexes. Groups are founded by a breeding pair and extended by their offspring and other relatives. For this reason, gerbils need to live with other gerbils and should never be kept on their own.
How do I bond with my gerbil?
- Use lots of treats and work in small steps, making sure your gerbils are comfortable with each step before proceeding to the next
- Start just sitting next to cage to acclimate gerbils to your presence
- Offer a treat, such as some sunflower or pumpkin seeds, when the gerbil approaches the cage bars.
How long can you leave a gerbil alone?
With preparation, gerbils can be left alone for up to a
week leave
at least one tablespoon of food per gerbil per day. Attach two water bottles in case one leaks or gets blocked.
Do gerbils need a wheel?
A wheel is important, enabling gerbils to get plenty of daily exercise However, it needs to be a gerbil-friendly variety. A hamster wheel is dangerous for gerbils, as they can trap their tails in its rungs, which is very painful and can lead to swelling and infection.
Do gerbils need tunnels?
Housing. Gerbils love to burrow and build tunnels , so you will need to have a deep layer of wood shavings for burrowing. Plastic gerbilariums are the best type of cage to get, but you can also use hamster cages.
Do gerbils need heat lamps?
Low body temperatures can lead to health issues. Gerbils do feel the cold, but have strategies they use to survive. They huddle for warmth, produce extra body heat, and stay in their burrows over the winter The optimal temperature for a domesticated gerbil is between 65 and 75 degrees.
Can a gerbil live in a 10 gallon tank?
Choose an aquarium the right size for the number of gerbils you plan to keep. Keep one or two gerbils in a 10-gallon aquarium , three in a 15-gallon aquarium, four or five in a 20-gallon aquarium and six in a 30-gallon aquarium.
Can gerbils escape from cage?
‘ Your gerbil doesn’t know it’s a pet. A gerbil can also escape by breaking its way out of its cage If the cage is plastic, this is insufficient. A gerbil’s teeth are stronger and bigger than those of a hamster, so it can gnaw its way out.
Do gerbils need a friend?
Pet gerbils need friends just as their wild counterparts do Left on their own, gerbils become stressed and unhappy – playing with humans will not satisfy the full range of their instinctive needs. So, always opt for a pair, or buy your solitary gerbil a friend of the same species as soon as possible.
What to know before getting a gerbil?
- They can be messy.
- They need space to burrow.
- They like to gnaw.
- They need to live in pairs.
- They need plenty of exercise.
- They should only live with gerbils of the same sex.
- They should be separated if they fight.
- You should buy from a reputable seller.
Do gerbils like light or dark?
They are used to bright sunshine, so seeing a little sunshine won’t harm them at all. However, it’s best if you don’t leave your gerbil’s cage in the full sun. It’s far better to keep it somewhere shaded, not dark, but out of indirect sunlight Gerbils find it far easier to warm up than to cool down.
Are gerbils friendlier than hamsters?
According to the Journal of Mammalogy, gerbils must live with other gerbils in the wild and captivity. If they don’t, they will get lonely, and it will shorten their life expectancy. Gerbils seem to enjoy handling more than hamsters This makes handling a much more pleasant experience both for you and your pet.
Why does my gerbil stare at me?
A gerbil will stare at you when they’re unsure if you’re a friend or a threat to them Gerbils will also stare at you when they associate you with something like being fed or playing. It’s normal behavior when they look at you for short periods of time though.
Can you give socks to gerbils?
Giving fabric or cloth items to gerbils is definitely NOT advised They WILL chew it and there’s the risk of injesting threads and getting limbs or tails caught in it and getting tangled up.
What do gerbils like to play with?
Gerbils love to chew. A cardboard tube from a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll is one of a gerbil’s favorite things. Some people have expressed concern about the types of glue used in these—and now colorful safe (and a bit more sturdy and long-lasting) cardboard tubes are made for pets to play with.
How often do gerbils need
sand baths
?
To keep your gerbil’s coat clean and prevent bacterial infections, you should give your gerbil access to a sand bath at least once a week.
Do gerbils need a glass cage?
This can make it hard to find the right gerbil habitat. The best gerbil cages should have 10 gallons of space per gerbil and room for at least 6 inches of bedding. The gerbilarium should be made of glass or metal, as gerbils can chew through plastic.
What does it mean when a gerbil Nibbles you?
Point being – if a gerbil is frustrated, angry, etc, they will bite you and let you know, but sometimes gerbils just nibble to get a taste of what’s in front of them.
What do gerbils do at night?
Gerbils are active throughout the day and night, so darkness doesn’t act as a sleep cue. However, covering the gerbilarium can help to muffle any noise coming from within This may make it easier for you to sleep. You can use a towel or a blanket as a cover for your gerbil’s cage.
What does it mean when a gerbil chirps?
Chirping, at its rawest, is the sound they make when they want attention As such, gerbils start chirping from an early age as a means of getting their mom’s attention. It is typically high-pitched but can vary in volume, ranging from loud to quiet. They may also make this sound once or successively.
How often should I play with my gerbil?
An hour can give gerbils a decent amount of time to play, explore, and get used to the new environment that they’re in. Plus gerbils tend to eat and drink almost constantly when they’re awake, so you don’t want to separate them from their food and water source for too long of a time.
How long does it take to bond with a gerbil?
You can’t handle gerbils from the day you bring them home. Children will be tempted, but you must teach them to respect their new pet first. When young gerbils are around 6-7 weeks old, it takes roughly 2 weeks to tame a gerbil successfully.
How do you pick up a gerbil for the first time?
To grasp a gerbil, the over-the-back grip is recommended. To pick up a gerbil, the base of the tail should be gripped Never attempt to pick up a gerbil by the end of the tail because the tuft and tail skin may pull off. The hamster should be fully away before attempting to pick it up.
Do gerbils bite?
Gerbils don’t bite to be mean Biting is usually a sign that your gerbil is scared. Shouting or flinching can make the gerbil more scared and more likely to bite again. Gerbils are good readers of emotion.
How much money is a gerbil?
Gerbils can be bought from almost any pet store in the U.S. They are sold for between $5 and $10 You’re unlikely to see much higher prices than that. Of course, cheaper doesn’t mean better. You have to consider the health of your new gerbil.
Can I cut my gerbils nails?
You can trim your gerbil’s nails yourself using nail clippers designed for small pets or even cats if they begin to grow too long.
Do gerbils poop a lot?
Do Gerbils Poop A Lot? Gerbils poop a few times every day Depending on how much they eat, gerbils can produce between 5 to 20 pellets a day. However, compared to other rodents, this is normal and not excessive by typical animal standards.
Do gerbils carry any diseases?
There are disease concerns with both wild (rats, mice) and pet (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) rodents and rabbits. They can carry many diseases including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella.
How often should you change gerbil bedding?
6—Bedding Care The bedding needs to be cleaned at least once a week , but more often if you have more than two gerbils in the same cage. You will find that your gerbils tend to go to the bathroom in one location, so this should make cleaning your cage easier.
Why does my gerbil scratch at the glass?
A gerbil will display repetitive scratching behavior when it can’t satisfy its natural need to burrow into the ground This may be because it doesn’t have enough substrate, or it doesn’t have any bedding at all. This behavior will focus on the corners of the enclosure.
How do I make my gerbil happy?
- A nice, well-positioned cage.
- A friend.
- Food and water.
- Bedding.
- Regular Cleaning.
- Good Health.
Do gerbils need sand baths?
Most gerbils need sand baths roughly once per week But if your gerbil gets dirty more often than this, you can offer the sand bath more frequently. Black and darker-colored fur tend to get greasy more quickly. To give your gerbil a sand bath, fill the container with clean sand and place it in the gerbilarium.
Do gerbils cry?
Gerbils can become upset and will behave in a certain way when they are. While they won’t produce tears like humans, you could call this behavior ‘crying’ One thing you will see is a gerbil producing shrill, urgent shrieks.
Do gerbils need a lot of attention?
These little creatures are quite friendly, playful, and curious. Gerbils do not require quite as much attention as a dog or cat, but they do have very specific needs Like all pets, gerbils need the correct food, a proper and comfortable habitat, stimulation, and attention.
How do you comfort a lonely gerbil?
Make sure they stay busy with different kinds of fun activities like toys and stuff to try to climb on like a rope and some things to chew on Another thing that will also help a gerbil that lives alone is putting their cage in a busy part of your house.
Sources
https://be.chewy.com/ideal-gerbil-cage/
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/small-animal/hamster-supplies/hamster-cages
https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/gerbils/gerbil_faqs/making_them_happy/