GERBILS

  • Gerbils are very inquisitive, playful and fun to watch.
  • Gerbils are a desert creature, which means they drink little and do not produce much waste.
  • They have many sleep/wake cycles throughout the day and night.
  • Your Gerbil's front teeth never stop growing, so needs lots of healthy things to chew on like treat sticks and chews.
  • A gerbil's average life expectancy is 2-3 years.

DIET

Gerbils are primarily fed a pelleted diet, with a small amount of seeds.  Treat your gerbil to 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh vegetables & fruits twice a week.  Take care not to overfeed these fresh foods as they can cause an upset stomach.  They also enjoy occasional hay treats!  Provide a fresh supply of water every day.

HOUSING  

Gerbils should be kept in a cool, low humidity, draft-free area, out of direct sunlight.  The cage should be at least 24L 12W 12H, which would be the equivalent of a 15 gallon aquarium, for one gerbil.  As gerbils do best in pairs, a minimum of 30L 12W 12H (a 20L aquarium) is advised and more space is always appreciated and utilized.  Metal or glass cages with a solid floor are generally preferable since they can chew through wood, ligh plastic, and soft metal, but make sure it is well ventilated.  Provide at least 6-8" of good soft bedding that is clean, non-toxic, absorbent, and relatively dust free.  Recycled newspaper or unscented paper bedding are suggested.  Do not use cedar or pine shavings which can lead to respiratory problems.  Spot clean the bedding daily and change all of the bedding weekly.  Make sure you have a food dish, a water dish and a water bottle if you choose to add one.  Gerbils should have a wood or ceramic next box to hide out in and sleep.  Also, to prevent tail injury, gerbils should only run on a solid-surface, appropriately sized exercise wheel.  Favorite toys include hay cubes, ladders, coconut shells, hard wood chews, tunnels, cardboard, and more.

HANDLING & CARE

Gerbils generally do better if they live as a pair with one of the same sex.  Taming gerbils is simply a matter of gaining their confidence.  Always be patient, gentle, and move slowly.  Making friends with your pet and getting him accustomed to you can often be accomplished by offering treats. Never pick up your gerbil by the tail.  Gerbils are nervous, so always let him see the back of your hand first and extend it slowly.  If he does not run away from you, then gently scoop him up with your palms on either side of his body.  If he is scared, or tries to bite you, use a small container for him to scurry inside of until he gets comfortable with you.

GROOMING

Gerbils stay clean and do not need baths.  They can be given a dust (volcanic ash) bath once a week.  Gerbils have a scent gland on the middle of their stomach.  It can vary from yellow, orangish or dark in color.  It is often mistaken for a wound.  Although scent glands can get infected, as long as they are not red, swollen or bleeding, they are normal.

HEALTH

Gerbils are healthy when they have bright eyes, soft fur, have well-formed dropping and are active.  Contact your veterinarian if you notice weight loss or any of these symptoms:

  • Refusal to eat or drink
  • Overgrown teeth
  • Labored breathing, wheezing, sneezing
  • Diarrhea or blood in urine
  • Dull and/or receding eyes
  • Inactive / Lethargic
  • Limping / Loss of balance
  • Head tilt
  • Excessive hair loss / scratching
  • Rough hair coat
  • Scent gland is red, swollen or bleeding.