Gerbils are active, curious, and social little animals who need more space and enrichment than many people realise. Good gerbil housing is not just a nice-to-have — it is essential for their physical and psychological wellbeing. 🐾
Whether you are setting up for new arrivals or looking to improve what you already have, this guide covers everything you need to know about gerbil housing: the right size, the right setup, and the enrichment that keeps gerbils thriving.
Why Gerbil Housing Is So Important
In the wild, gerbils live in expansive burrow systems that can stretch for metres underground. They spend huge amounts of time digging, tunnelling, and foraging. Without appropriate gerbil housing that allows these natural behaviours, gerbils can develop stereotypic behaviours — repetitive, purposeless movements like corner digging — which are signs of chronic stress and boredom. 💛
The most common gerbil housing mistake is a tank that is too small and too shallow. Getting the depth of substrate right is as important as getting the overall size right.
The Right Type of Enclosure for Gerbils
Gerbils are best housed in a glass or solid-sided tank (also called a terrarium or gerbilarium) rather than a wire cage. Here is why:
- Glass tanks can hold deep substrate — essential for burrowing
- Gerbils kick substrate around constantly, which goes everywhere in a wire cage
- Solid sides retain moisture in the substrate, supporting tunnel structure
- Wire cages make deep burrowing almost impossible
A wire mesh lid with ventilation is essential for airflow. Make sure the mesh is fine enough to prevent escape — gerbils are excellent climbers and surprisingly nimble. 🔒
Minimum Tank Size for Gerbil Housing
Gerbils must always be kept in pairs or small groups — a lone gerbil will become deeply unhappy and can decline rapidly. Always house at least two gerbils together.
For a pair of gerbils, current welfare guidance recommends a minimum tank size of:
- 100 cm long x 40 cm wide x 50 cm tall (with at least 20–25 cm of that height filled with deep substrate)
- A minimum footprint of around 0.4 square metres
Bigger is always better. A longer tank with a larger footprint allows gerbils to dig an extensive burrow network and gives them more territory to explore. 🌾
Substrate Depth — The Most Critical Part of Gerbil Housing
The most important feature of any gerbil housing setup is deep substrate. Gerbils need to dig, and without depth they simply cannot do it.
The minimum recommended substrate depth is 20 to 30 cm. Deeper is better — some gerbil owners provide 40 cm or more and their gerbils use every centimetre of it.
Good substrate options for gerbil housing include:
- Peat and sand mix — the most natural option, allows tunnels to hold their shape well
- Coir (coconut fibre) — good for burrowing and holds tunnel structure
- Hemp or aubiose — excellent absorbency and low dust
- Meadow hay mixed in — adds enrichment and nesting material
Avoid wood shavings — they are poor for burrowing, dry out quickly, and can be dusty. Cedar shavings should be completely avoided as they are harmful to small animal respiratory health. 🌿
Above-Substrate Enrichment in Gerbil Housing
Above the substrate layer, your gerbil housing setup should include:
- A solid wooden hideout or shelter (avoid plastic, which gerbils chew through very quickly)
- Gnaw toys — untreated wood blocks, natural cork, cardboard tubes
- A solid-based wheel — a minimum of 20 cm diameter for gerbils, solid surface only (no wire rungs)
- Sand bath — a small container of chinchilla sand (not dust) for occasional use
- Foraging opportunities — scattered seeds, dried herbs, or pieces of hay through the substrate
Gerbils are constant chewers, so make sure anything you put in the tank is safe to gnaw. Replace chewed items regularly to keep the environment interesting and safe. 🐾
Temperature and Placement
Gerbils thrive at room temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius. They are sensitive to extremes of temperature, particularly heat. Avoid placing gerbil housing in direct sunlight, near radiators, or in draughty spots.
A consistent indoor temperature with good ventilation through the lid is ideal. Glass tanks can overheat quickly in direct sun, so placement is especially important. 💧
Cleaning Gerbil Housing
One of the benefits of a deep substrate setup is that gerbil housing does not need constant cleaning. Gerbils produce very little urine and keep their sleeping areas tidy.
A basic cleaning routine looks like this:
- Remove soiled substrate from the toilet corner every few days
- Top up the substrate as needed
- Full substrate change every four to six weeks for a healthy pair
- Deep clean the tank and all accessories monthly
Always leave some used substrate and a piece of their existing nesting material when you do a full clean. Familiar scents are important to gerbils and help prevent stress during changes. 💛
Quick Summary
- Always keep gerbils in pairs or groups — never alone
- Glass tank, not wire cage — minimum 100 x 40 x 50 cm for two gerbils
- Deep substrate — minimum 20 to 30 cm — this is non-negotiable
- Peat/sand mix, coir, or hemp substrate works best for burrowing
- Gnaw toys, hideout, solid-surface wheel, and sand bath above the substrate
- Spot clean every few days, full change every four to six weeks
Thinking about adopting gerbils? At Greatfield Small Animal Rescue, we provide full housing guidance before every rehoming to make sure gerbils go to setups where they can truly thrive. 🐾✨
Further Reading
- RSPCA: Gerbil Care Advice
- Bacchus Residents: Small Animal Housing Guides
- Woodgreen: Pet Housing Advice
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep gerbils in a wire cage?
Wire cages are not suitable as the main gerbil enclosure because they cannot hold the deep substrate gerbils need for burrowing. A glass tank is strongly recommended.
How deep should gerbil substrate be?
At least 20 to 30 cm is recommended, and deeper is better. Gerbils are natural burrowers and need depth to express this behaviour.
Can gerbils live alone?
No. Gerbils are highly social animals and a lone gerbil will suffer psychologically. They should always be kept in pairs or small groups.
