Supplies Needed

  • Aquariums are better than cages because cages might have bars that their feet can get caught in and break. A well-ventilated aquarium with a top that seals so your gerbil can’t push up on it and escape is best.
  • Line the aquarium/cage with shredded paper (newspaper or paper towels) or recycled paper bedding (no shavings of any kind), with a mound in a corner – gerbils love to burrow!
  • Gerbil/rodent pellets
  • A wheel that is smooth-sided to prevent its feet or tail from getting caught and broken
  • A water bottle that attaches to the side of the aquarium
  • A tip-proof (weighted) bowl for food
  • A safe wooden chew toy made specifically for gerbils
  • Exercise ball
  • Dangerous Foods
  • Salt
  • High-sodium food
  • High-sugar food
  • High-carbohydrate food
  • Nicotine
  • Soil
  • House plants
  • Leaves or grass from your yard
  • Food off your plate
  • Do not add vitamins to their water
  • Avoid too much dried fruit (it can lead to intestinal issues)
  • Too much fruit or vegetables can lead to diarrhea in gerbils (water in, water out…)
  • Yogurt drops and other advertised “treats” actually aren’t appropriate

Chores:
Daily

  • Feed your gerbil a pellet diet as directed by the label. Note: a seed and nut diet is not a complete diet; only a pellet diet is complete.
  • Supplement the diet with fresh vegetables such as leafy greens, lettuce, spinach or carrots (avoid high sugar fruit)
  • Clean up leftovers before they spoil
  • Be sure their water bottle is filled with fresh water
  • Scoop up soiled bedding each day

IMPORTANT NOTE: Gerbils have high metabolisms and can become hypoglycemic if they do not eat every day. If your gerbil appears lethargic or isn’t eating well, go to your veterinarian immediately.

Weekly

Completely clean the aquarium/cage once a week with hot, soapy water.

Yearly

Take your gerbil to your veterinarian at least once a year, though twice a year is preferable because their life spans aren’t very long. Your veterinarian can also cut their nails at that time for you if you aren’t comfortable doing it.

Tip: Let your child know that gerbils may only live for a few years so that they aren’t overly shocked when their pet dies.

The Right Temperature
Gerbils thrive at room temperature, normally whatever is comfortable to humans. Gerbils are prone to overheating, so in a home without air conditioning, at least have fans blowing to circulate the air. If it’s extremely hot, surround the aquarium/cage with ice packs (or purchase a temperature-controlled one).

How to Hold Your Gerbil
It is very important that you never hold your gerbil by its tail, as it will break off. Gerbils can bite, so be careful to not surprise them – approach slowly and let them hear you coming. Cup them in the palm of your hand. The more you hold them, the more comfortable they will be with being held.

More Than One Gerbil?
Gerbils are social in the wild. Since it can be dangerous to spay or neuter them because of their small size, select same sex gerbils and purchase them at the same time – introducing a new gerbil to one who has already become accustomed to their home will create problems. Females tend to be less aggressive than males. Note: the more animals that share an aquarium/cage, the more frequently it will need to be cleaned.

Don’t Let a Loose Gerbil Out of Your Sight
Gerbils are fast and small – you don’t want to lose them in your house! Be sure if you remove them from their aquarium/cage that it is in a secure room or an exercise ball and never leave him/her alone.