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.
What type of cages do gerbils need?
Since gerbils live in long tunnels mainly, they need at least 6-7 inches of appropriate bedding to dig and build. The
best setups
tend to be glass tanks filled with substrate and a wire cage topper secured above Next, make sure the cage you choose is large enough for the number of gerbils living in it.
Do gerbils like small cages?
A gerbilarium (made of glass) is the recommended cage for keeping pet gerbils. As you’ll notice gerbils need to be kept in a fairly large cage. Even larger cages are preferred, especially for small groups of gerbils , to mimic the natural habitat of gerbils.
Is a wooden cage good for gerbils?
Gerbils, like most rodents, are chewers. You don’t want to house your gerbils in a cage made of wood Wire cages don’t work well either, because gerbils tend to dig, and the metal could cause an injury.
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.
Can gerbils be kept in a
fish tank
?
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. Just purchase a big enough aquarium, fill it with everything the. Gerbils!.
What size cage do 2 gerbils need?
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Should I cover my gerbils cage at night?
Unlike covering a bird cage, covering a gerbil cage at night won’t help your gerbil sleep 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.
Can gerbils live in a bin cage?
Bin cages can be a good option for gerbils, but only if they’re made securely and adequately If they’re not, gerbils can easily escape. They’re more popular for hamsters and mice, but they are suitable for gerbils as a short-term solution. Bin cages are made from clear, plastic storage bins.
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.
Is a 20 gallon tank good for gerbils?
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!.
What is the minimum floor space for gerbils?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Where should I put my gerbils cage?
You should place your gerbil cage somewhere warm and dry, away from draughts This means that you must keep it away from radiators and other heat-producing or air conditioning units. Even though gerbils hail from hot, dry African and Asian deserts, direct sunlight will cause them to overheat and become unwell.
What wood is toxic to gerbils?
Also, pine and cedarwood contain oils that are poisonous to gerbils.
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.
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.
Can gerbils have tape?
A variety of toys can be purchased for further enrichment. An exercise wheel may also be provided, but ensure there are no gaps where the gerbil will run. If there are, masking tape can be placed round the circumference, and then lightly coat the inside with bedding.
Do gerbil cages need lids?
To make an aquarium into a gerbil cage, you’ll need an aquarium that has at least 5 gallons of space for each gerbil you want to keep in it. You should also get a mesh lid with aquarium lid clips for the top of the tank so your gerbil can breathe.
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.
What makes gerbils happy?
Gerbils need lots of exercise to be happy, and an exercise wheel is a great way to provide them with that. Make sure that the wheel does not have any openings that may cause your gerbil’s tail to get caught. Give your gerbil a nice enclosed place to sleep.
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.
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.
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.
What kind of toys do gerbils like?
A gerbil with lots of enrichment in its cage will be happy and entertained, even if you’re not around. Examples of things you can include as enrichment are: Toilet roll tubes, boxes, and other things made of cardboard. Special gerbil toys like seesaws, wheels, rope toys, and hammocks.
Can gerbils run in a ball?
Exercise balls are plastic spheres that small animals can run around in, without the fear of getting lost. They’re designed for hamsters, but gerbils can also them to stay healthy and as a boredom-buster. Some gerbils like running balls, and some don’t.
What is toxic to gerbils?
Beware! Don’t give your pets grapes or rhubarb , as these are poisonous to rodents. Avoid excessive amounts of certain seeds (such as sunflower), as they’re fatty and can cause obesity.
Can gerbils have straw?
Peat and straw. These materials are among the best for burrowing and allow gerbils to readily form nesting chambers within the tank They have the added advantage of absorbing a great deal of moisture and odor, thus reducing how often you must clean the cage.
How often do you feed a gerbil?
Gerbils need to be fed daily to keep them sustained. You should, however, be wary of feeding them foods with high fat or sugar contents (such as fruit, nuts and seeds) every day, Gerbils can swiftly become obese. You might also find that your gerbils like to hoard their food.