Proper gerbil care and maintenance are essential for ensuring your pet’s health and happiness. Native to desert regions, gerbils drink very little and produce highly concentrated urine, making cage cleaning less frequent. With the right environment, balanced diet, and gradual socialization, gerbils are engaging, low-maintenance pets that thrive in well-prepared homes.
Hygiene and daily routine
- Clean the cage every 2 to 3 weeks to prevent bacteria build-up
- Gerbils are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and dusk
- Male gerbils have a sebaceous gland on the abdomen used for scent marking — often mistaken for a belly button
Social behavior and bonding
- Gerbils are social animals that naturally live in groups
- Older females may reject newcomers — best to group them when young
- Siblings tend to get along best
💡 Steps for introducing a new gerbil:
- Place the cages side by side for a few days
- Arrange supervised meetings in a neutral space
- If serious fights occur, separate and restart the process
- Always do a 2-week quarantine to prevent disease transmission
Cage and habitat setup
- Avoid plastic cages — gerbils chew through everything
- Glass terrariums are sturdy but offer poor ventilation
- Minimum space: 1500–1600 cm² per gerbil, double that for two
✅ Recommended bedding:
- Hemp
- Flax
- Shredded paper
❌ Avoid:
- Softwood shavings (pine, cedar) — contain harmful phenols
- Corn cob bedding — hard, uncomfortable, and dangerous if ingested
🛁 Dust baths:
- Use chinchilla sand (not dust), once a day for 15 minutes
- Do not leave the sand in the cage all day to avoid contamination
Balanced diet
- Choose pelleted food to prevent selective feeding
- Diet should include about 5% fat
- Key components:
- Grains, dried plants, small amounts of fruit and vegetables (3× per week)
- Mealworms or crickets once a week (buy from pet stores)
- Fresh hay for dental wear and digestion
⚠️ Avoid wild insects — they may carry harmful toxins.
Handling warning: never grab by the tail
- A gerbil’s tail can detach as a defense mechanism
- This injury is painful and prone to infection
- In case of injury, consult a veterinarian immediately
