gerbil cages
and tanks Two gerbils need a minimum floor surface of 70cm long, by 35cm wide, by 50cm tall because they are great jumpers. In the wild, gerbils live in underground tunnels up to 3m long. The best way to mimic their natural habitat and keep them happy is to buy a gerbilarium or tank with cage additions.
Can a gerbil cage be too big?
The current thinking among gerbil fanciers is that large tank size should not cause a problem as long as the tank is not divided into separate living quarters (so it’s not recommended to attach two smaller tanks together with a tube to provide more living space).
Do gerbils like big cages?
Gerbils need room for toys and enrichment, and space to exercise. They also live in groups, and most cages are too small.
Do gerbils need a tall cage?
Adequate space The bigger the better! It’s good to give each gerbil at least ten gallons of space, and to have a very deep enclosure This will mean that you can fit in at least five or six inches of bedding, and they have adequate space to run around on top and next to it.
Can 2 gerbils 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.
Is 20 gallons enough for 2 gerbils?
While previously 5-gallons per gerbil was considered adequate, now the rule of thumb is 10-gallons of space per gerbil. So, if you have a pair of gerbils, a 20-gallon cage—or an average base of 12 inches by 30 inches—is a good minimum , she adds.
Can gerbils live in vivariums?
Housing. As gerbils live in
underground burrows
in the wild and love to dig, the housing you provide them with needs to accommodate this natural instinct. There are a few gerbil cages to choose from and the most popular is a vivarium (glass tank).
Can you put gerbils in a fish tank?
For many gerbils, a 20-gallon fish tanks makes a great home , or you may choose a plastic gerbil home available in most pet stores. Don’t choose a rounded tank, though, because gerbils like to curl up in corners. Just as with most pets, your gerbil’s home can never be too large.
Do gerbils like tubes?
Systems with lots of tubes and tunnels are great for gerbils, so long as they have the appropriate ‘room’ in the system to allow them to burrow Gerbils also love to gnaw, so provide lots of toys and tubes to gnaw on. Gerbils are very clean animals so like to use dust baths for cleaning themselves in.
Do gerbils need a running wheel?
But despite seeming so pointless, gerbils do need running wheels Or, gerbils need exercise, and wheels are perhaps the best way to ensure they get it. Being stuck in a small enclosure, gerbils can’t run around like they would in the wild. However, if your gerbil gets its exercise other ways, it may not need a wheel.
Are hamster cages OK for gerbils?
That said, if there is a downside to keeping gerbils as pets it’s that they require somewhat specialist housing. The reason is simple; gerbils are active diggers and gnawers. This means that many cages sold for small mammals like hamsters are totally unsuitable for gerbils.
Can 3 female gerbils live together?
Some groups of female gerbils get along fine. This is particularly likely if they are siblings from the same litter and have always lived together. If you’re keeping 3 or more female gerbils together, always be on the lookout for arguments Keep a spare cage handy, ready to separate them if they fight.
What is a Gerbilarium?
These are large enclosures with a
plastic tank
below a large, wire living area You can buy gerbilariums from local pet shops. You can make your gerbilarium a fun and comfortable place to live by: Choosing one that’s as large as possible so your gerbils have enough room to exercise.
Do gerbils need a hideout?
Gerbils love to have multiple places to hide in and move around in Placing several boxes, tubes, or other hideouts within your friend’s aquarium or home will make it happy. Offer multiple levels. Gerbils also love to both burrow underground and find hideouts on top of things.
How many square inches of floor space does a gerbil need?
Cages should be sufficiently large, measuring at least 36 square inches of floor space per gerbil. Wire cages provide more ventilation than solid structures. Gerbils are great escape artists, so it is important that the plastic or wire of the cage can not be chewed through.
What size tank do I need for 3 gerbils?
A trio of gerbils will do well in either a 10gallon with topper, or a 20 gallon You could use a 15 but these are difficult to find and are often just as much money as some of the larger tanks.
Do gerbils need more space than hamsters?
While hamsters love running, gerbils are more into digging and burrowing, creating interconnected tunnels This makes aquarium tanks a good option for them. Both the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and the American Gerbil society recommend a MINIMUM of 5 gallons per gerbil.
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.
Can gerbils live in glass tanks?
A glass aquarium makes the perfect home for your pet gerbils because it keeps them safe and secure inside, it is easy to clean, and the gerbils can’t chew on the sides.
How small of a hole can a gerbil fit through?
Like most small rodents, gerbils are chewers, and will gnaw at carpet, cords, wires and clothes. They are also very agile and can fit into holes about the size of loonies.
How often should gerbils have a
sand bath
?
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 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 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.
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.
Why does my gerbil sway?
Yes it’s normal. Lack of eye pigment means they are unable to focus properly so they sway to improve their image of things As for frequency, he’s new, he’s curious, he wants to know what his world looks like!!.
Can gerbils chew through metal?
Many rodents, like gerbils, make burrows. This means that a gerbil’s teeth are strong enough to break through
thin bars
. They can’t bite down through one , but a rodent can wear away the metal of pipes or thin bars over time. This means the main issue with your gerbil biting its cage bars is that it could escape.
Is a 20 gallon tank big enough for a gerbil?
A 20 gallon is the best size for 2 gerbils , but the more space you can give them to play or run around the bettter. So if you can get a 30 or 40 gallon then go for it!.
How many gallons is the IKEA Detolf?
Providing the dimensions given are accurate, it’s 68.62449469630438 U.S. gallons.
Are boy or girl gerbils better?
Some, but not all, owners have said that males are more docile and friendly towards each other than females are It’s generally considered to be a good idea to choose male gerbils if you want to keep more than two together at any one time – they seem slightly more accepting of one another than groups of females.
Will gerbils chew through plastic cages?
Even though plastic seems solid, it’s flexible, making it easy for gerbils to chew without hurting themselves Similarly, if there are edges or pieces of molded plastic on the cage, your gerbil could bite through it and escape. Even if they don’t escape, you’ll have unsightly bite marks all over the tub.
Can you use sand for gerbil bedding?
Some gerbil owners prefer to use sand as gerbil bedding, as it replicates their natural environment. Sand is safe for gerbils as long as it’s sterilized and isn’t dusty Most gerbils enjoy bathing and burrowing in the sand, and it’s good for making tunnels.
Why are my gerbils biting their cage?
Sometimes gerbils can chew bars out of boredom If they lack the right enrichment in their enclosure, they can chew bars out of boredom as well as the desire to escape the cage and find something entertaining.
How many gerbils should I get?
In general, it’s best to keep between two and four gerbils. Also, large groups can become unstable as individuals jostle for a place in the hierarchy, and aggression can sometimes break out – especially if there is not enough space.
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 cage is best for gerbils?
- Little Friends Mayfair Gerbilarium Cage – Premium Choice
- Savic Habitat Cages for Gerbils and Hamsters
- Midwest Brisby Hamster Cage
- Midwest Critterville Arcade Cage
- IRIS USA Gerbil Pet Cage
- GalaPet Gerbil Cage
- Kaytee Critter Trail Habitat
- Prevue Hendryx Deluxe Gerbil Cage.
How do you spoil gerbils?
- Buddies. Wild gerbils live in large families, which are known as clans, and are rarely, if ever, alone
- Comfy Cage. Make sure your adorable pet has a comfortable cage
- Tunnels
- Toys
- Treats.
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 need chew toys?
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.
Is cardboard good for gerbils?
Gerbils like to chew on wood and other natural materials. Household items like toilet rolls, cardboard egg boxes, and corrugated cardboard are also good options Gerbil food mix and vegetables are part of your pet’s natural diet, and these will also help wear down your gerbil’s teeth.
Are hammocks good for gerbils?
Conclusion. So gerbils would most likely like hammocks but because of their chewing habits, it’s not the right toy for them If you still want to use a hanging toy that’s like a hammock then just make sure that it’s not made out of fabric.
Can you use toilet paper for gerbil bedding?
Yes, I use toilet paper for nesting material I don’t use tissue paper as in the stuff you put in gift bags, but tissues for your nose are fine as long as they don’t have lotion or vick’s in them. I rip them into chunks or strips so they can carry them to their nest without tripping or stepping on it.
Can gerbils use flying saucer?
flying saucers simply aren’t good wheels for gerbils.
Can gerbils have kitchen roll?
So yes, it’s completely safe and definitely not too dusty If you’re using kitchen paper towel, though, make sure it’s not the strong stretchy kind. It should tear apart easily.
Can I take my gerbils wheel out at night?
The best way to calm your gerbil down at night is to tire them out before you go to bed That way, they’re more likely to take a nap while you’re getting to sleep. And even if your gerbils are active at night, they won’t have as much pent-up energy.
References
https://www.amazon.com/gerbil-cage/s?k=gerbil+cage
https://www.chewy.com/b/cages-playpens-11016
https://rodentstoreptiles.com/what-is-the-best-gerbil-cage-our-top-5/