Small Pet
A Quick Guide to Gerbil Care
Gerbils are a great alternative to other small pets such as hamsters and rats. Gerbils differ in that they have long, hairy tails, and have a passion for digging! They are often curious, rarely bite and found in many different coat colours. Here we talk a bit about their behaviour and proper gerbal care.
Benefits of Gerbils
- Great fun to watch them dig.
- Not usually aggressive and rarely bite.
- Don’t produce a lot of waste (as they originate from desert areas).
Things to consider
- They are very sociable animals, and so will need to be kept in groups of 2 or more.
- They can produce lots of babies, so always keep groups of the same sex.
- Sometimes active in the evening, so best not to house them in a bedroom while you sleep.
- Generally live for around 3 – 4 years.
- Best not to introduce new gerbils to an established tank, they are most likely to become hostile.
Housing
In the wild, gerbils live in deep underground tunnels with several points of entry and chambers. The best way to mimic this environment for them at your home is a large tank or aquarium filled 3/4 with bedding and a secure wire lid. The gerbils will use the bedding to dig lots of tunnels and chambers which you can then see through the glass of the tank. You can also buy specialist gerbilariums which usually have a glass bottom tank with a wire cage on top. Typically, two gerbils will need a minimum of 40cm x 75cm floor space by 30cm tall.Feeding
Just like us, gerbils need a balanced diet to live healthier and happier lives. A well balanced dry gerbil food mix is best for your gerbils. It’s a good idea to supplement their dry food with fresh veg such as broccoli, carrots, peas and sweetcorn. Unlike hamsters and other rodents, you don’t need a bowl to feed them, instead scatter the food as this encourages their natural foraging instincts. Mealworms, sunflower seeds, monkeys buts and millet sprays are ideal occasional treats for gerbils. You should also provide a water bottle feeder with a metal spout, which will hang from your aquarium or through the bars of the wire lid.Top Tips for Gerbil Care
- Gerbil’s teeth are constantly growing, so be sure to provide materials for them to chew on such as toilet rolls, cardboard and wooden decorations sold in most good pet shops. However make sure none of these are dyed, painted or polished as the chemicals can harm your gerbils.
- It’s great fun to watch gerbils build their habitats, so why not help them by adding various materials. Toilet rolls, cardboard boxes and hay are especially appreciated!
- Males are usually less hostile than females.
- Avoid buying metal wheels for your gerbil as their tail can get easily caught.
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