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Gerbil Care Guide
Did You Know?
- Due to being a desert animal, Gerbils drink very little water and urinate very infrequently, making them one of the cleanest small animals to keep as pets.
- Gerbils are very smart and are known to learn tricks, memorize mazes and even become litter trained!
- Gerbils are hoarders and will always stash food just in case
- In the wild, a Gerbil colony creates vast tunnels, and their burrows are known to go deeper than 5 feet into the ground
- If threatened or caught, a Gerbil can shed its tail to make an escape
Species Information
LIFE SPAN
Approximately 3 years
AVERAGE SIZE
3-4 inches with a 4 inch tail
NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION
Very social & engaging – generally very gregarious. Gerbils are best kept in pairs. They are easily tamed, even if they are difficult at first. The more you handle and work with your pet, the tamer it will become.
CAGE TEMPERATURE
Average room temperature
FEEDING
Vegetarians/grain eaters. Commercially prepared Gerbil diets are available at all pet stores. They are made of pellets, seeds, grains and dried vegetables. Fresh vegetables and fruits may be offered as treats as well.
WATER
Clean, fresh chlorine-free water must always be available. Change it daily.
HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT
Gerbils love to exercise and explore so the bigger the habitat the better for your pet. Plastic and wire or glass tanks both make suitable enclosures, but whatever cage you choose, make sure it is secure.
HIDE HOUSE
The hide house is extremely important to the gerbil, and will most likely become your pet’s main ‘bedroom.’ Offer at least one to your Gerbil.
BEDDING
We recommend an aspen bedding or soft recycled newspaper bedding.
TOYS
Several types of toys must be available to your Gerbil. Chewing toys such as wooden toys, hide houses, wheels, and exercise balls are all good options.
GROOMING & HYGIENE
It is not necessary to clean or bathe your Gerbil. They are extremely neat and will groom themselves!
HABITAT MAINTENANCE
Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled bedding, cleaning water bowls and bottles thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire cage should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every week.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES
- Plastic Hamster/Gerbil cage or glass tank with locking top
- Aspen or paper bedding for bottom of enclosure
- Water bottle or bowl
- Food bowl
- Prepared Hamster/Gerbil food
- Several toys & chews
- 1 or 2 hide houses
- Play time items like enclosed exercise balls
- Exercise wheel with solid running surface
Vet Approved
Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.
For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.
Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.
For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.
Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.
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