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.
How big of a cage does a gerbil 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
plastic cages good
for gerbils?
Avoid Plastic Cages The final part of the puzzle is that gerbils are capable of gnawing through even the most solid plastic and wood. This makes all sorts of cages inappropriate for them. Even sold-sided plastic cages are at risk as somehow gerbils still manage to gnaw through.
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.
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.
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 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 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 much do gerbils cost a month?
food accoutrements
include a water bottle at $4 to $10 and a food container at $8 to 15; Gerbils eat between 5 and 8 grams of food a day. A 2-pound bag of food costs between $5 and $12, so feeding a gerbil for one month will cost between $2.50 and $6.
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.
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.
Can a gerbil 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you have 2 gerbils in the same cage?
Pair of Gerbils Together Because of the social nature of gerbils, the ASPCA recommends housing a minimum of two of them together To stop conflict and aggression, however, the younger the gerbils are brought together, the better.
How do you wash a gerbil?
- Give your gerbil a sand bath. In the wild, gerbils will often use sand to clean their fur
- Brushing a gerbil’s coat. You can also use a small, wide-toothed brush to try to get something out of a gerbils’ coat, particularly if the contaminant is dried.
- Using a damp cloth.
Can gerbils live alone?
Can Gerbils Live Alone? A gerbil can live alone Many owners, especially new owners, only get one gerbil at first.
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.
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.
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.
What size tank do I need for 3 gerbils?
A more generous rule is 10 gallons per gerbil. This means that you should look for a 20-gallon gerbilarium for two gerbils or a 30-gallon for three. Bigger isn’t always better, though. If a group of 3 or more gerbils has too much space, they are prone to declanning.
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 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 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.
Is a 20 gallon tank good for 2 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.
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.
How do you house a gerbil?
Cage: A gerbil cage should be large and well-ventilated Aquariums with secure wire mesh tops are the best cage to house gerbils. This provides the ability to give your gerbil the deep substrate it needs for digging.
Are hamster balls OK for gerbils?
Gerbils benefit from exercise balls the same way hamsters do Just like hamsters, too, gerbils may or may not enjoy the experience. As a responsible owner, you need to choose a ball that ensures your gerbil stays safe and feels secure. Even then, your pet may not enjoy being inside an exercise ball.
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.
Is it safe for gerbils to chew plastic?
If you are thinking about getting gerbils or already have them, you should know that they chew on everything. Not everything that they decide to chew on will be safe for them though. Plastic being one of them. So if you’re asking can gerbils chew on plastic, then the answer is yes, they will chew anything they can.
Do gerbils need a house to sleep in?
They will need at least five inches of bedding over the floor of the cage, so that they have enough material for creating these spaces. As well as lots of bedding, your gerbils would appreciate a gerbil house, in which they can build nests.
What is too cold for a gerbil?
To keep your gerbil happy and healthy, think somewhere between 65 and 75 degrees, according to the Small Animal Channel. If the temperature ever hits a low of around 55 degrees , then it’s just too cold for your gerbil, full stop. Never allow your gerbil to be in such a cold environment.
How long can gerbils be left 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.
Can gerbils change gender?
Gerbils can’t change their gender A gerbil’s sex is permanent and determined at conception. Female gerbils have two X chromosomes, and males have XY chromosomes.
What to do if one of my gerbils died?
- Remove your gerbil from its enclosure immediately once you notice it’s passed away.
- Take your other gerbils and put them somewhere safe, e.g. in an empty bathtub.
- Remove the old bedding from your gerbil’s cage.
- Clean the walls of your gerbils’ enclosure with antibacterial spray.
Can I introduce a new gerbil?
Gerbils are very territorial, and will be aggressive towards other unfamiliar gerbils. Ideally, you should pick out two gerbils that are already living together, or that are between six and eight weeks old This will result in a much smoother transition for them to live together in the new cage you will provide.
How old are gerbils in pet stores?
Remember, you’re aiming to find a pair of gerbils that are at least six or seven weeks old DO NOT PURCHASE if your potential pets have any of the following characteristics: Eyes that have not yet opened (this happens at about the three week mark).
Are hamsters or gerbils better?
Gerbils don’t smell bad as they urinate less frequently than hamsters. Gerbils can learn commands, while hamsters are clever escape artists. Their care needs are about the same, but gerbils usually cost more as they need a companion. Both pets have their advantages and disadvantages, so there isn’t a better pet perse.
How long do gerbils live in captivity?
Gerbils can live for up to 3-4 years – some even live longer.
Sources
https://www.wayfair.com/keyword.php?keyword=glass+gerbil+cages