Care Information

Gerbils

What is a

GERBIL?

Also known as “Jirds”, gerbils are small burrowing rodents adapted for life in deserts. The Mongolian Gerbil is the most common type of gerbil kept as a pet. You’ll often see them buried making tunnels in deep layers of substrate. They’re often liked for their unique cute look and fun personalities.

Not all gerbils are jirds, but all jirds are gerbils. Gerbils and Jirds have different phenotypic differences. There are over 90 recognised species of gerbils!

Gerbils are incredibly sociable animals and should never be kept alone. They live best in groups or, as a minimum, pairs and have complex social bonds.

They live 3-4 years, though some can live to 5 years as this is just an average.

They’re approximately 11-12cm, with a tail length of between 9-10cm.

They come in various colours, including their original wild Agouti.

They are most active during the night and early morning (nocturnal). This is one of the reasons they aren’t the most ideal pets for small children – they are asleep or resting for most of the time that children may be awake.

Species

year lifespan

Further information

Gerbil Care

Diet & Nutrition

Gerbils should be fed a quality, complete dry food mix such as Bunny Gerbil Dream and Gerri Gerbil mixed together for interest and variety.
Scattering their dry food over their substrate will encourage natural foraging behaviour and provide them with enrichment. Avoid food bowls as this can encourage territorial behaviour.

Gerbils are omnivores. They can have selected fresh fruit and vegetables in small quantities (be sure to check which ones are suitable). They also enjoy mealworms, fried fruit & vegetable treats or pumpkin seeds. You should avoid feeding Gerbils too many sugary treats. Gerbils require fresh, clean water everyday.

Refer to Feeding, Treats & Water Bottles – Gerbil Care for full information.

Accommodation & Environment

The minimum recommended tank size for a pair of Gerbils is 100cm x 40cm x 40cm, but the bigger the better. Gerbils must be kept indoors. They are very sociable animals and should always be kept in pairs or small groups.
Gerbils should be housed in glass tanks. Hamster cages, plastic cages and Gerbilariums with wire flooring, are all unsuitable.
Gerbils need a large tank with a minimum of 25cm / 10 inches of substrate to allow them to fulfil their natural instincts for burrowing. Recommended tanks include the Ikea Detolf, Skyline Falco, Skyline Marrakesh, Jungle Pets Gerbilariums, Diversa Tanks or DIY adapted aquariums with a topper.
Scattering additional food and forage mixes into your Gerbils' tank will further encourage natural foraging and provide more enrichment.

Gerbils will appreciate a solid wooden or metal wheel, 28cm+ in size. They need wooden chew items to keep their teeth worn down and love chewing cardboard and grassy toys. They need regular daily free-roam time. Never use Exercise Balls as they disorientate and stress animals.
Gerbils require Bathing Sand (not dust) in a dish (approx. 20cm x 15cm like a kitchen pyrex dish) and a few inches deep to keep their fur clean and healthy.

Bedding

Gerbils must be able to fulfil their natural instincts to burrow, so need at least 25cm deep of dust extracted, or paper/hemp-based substrate eg Finacard, Auboise, Megazorb etc mixed with Timothy Hay and shredded paper to bind their tunnels. Sawdust and wood shavings are not suitable for Gerbils as they can cause skin irritations and respiratory issues.
You can use unbleached, plastic free toilet paper sheets, like Naked Sprout, so Gerbils can collect, shred and make their own nesting and bedding material. IMPORTANT: When cleaning a Gerbil tank, replace 25% of the old substrate to keep a familiar scent.

See Gerbil Housing: Which Gerbilarium, Gerbil Cage or Gerbil Tank? Reviewed – Gerbil Care for more information.

Refer to Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths – Gerbil Care for more information.

Refer to Substrate, bedding & nest boxes – Gerbil Care for more information.

Refer to Gerbils – Free roaming & exercise – Gerbil Care for more information.

OUT-OF CAGE TIME

Handling

You should let your gerbils have time to settle in before you attempt to handle them. This will allow them the time they need to realise their new enclosure is their home and it’s safe.

Gerbils usually become very comfortable with their owners when they’re given the time they need to get used to you and haven’t been repeatedly scared. They will tolerate being held as long as they’re held correctly and usually don’t squirm or struggle – however, they are fast!

When your gerbil is comfortable enough that it trusts you, you may find it’ll climb on to your hand when you open their cage and offer them your hand in a flat position.

Your gerbil will sniff you and explore you. It may feel like they’re biting you, but they are most likely just tasting, seeing if you’re edible or grooming. Don’t panic and don’t make any sudden movements as you may startle your gerbil and it may jump.

Refer to Bonding & Split Cage – Gerbil Care for assistance when bonding new gerbils together.

Medical

Medical Needs

If your gerbil has a wound we recommend changing the bedding temporarily to towels to prevent infection. You then need to get your gerbil to the vet as soon as possible. In the meantime, clean the wound with salt water or diluted Hibiscrub to reduce the risk of infection.

Gerbils can occasionally develop tumours as they get older, starting at around three to five years of age. Tumors can grow very quickly because gerbils have a fast metabolic rate. During your health checks, feel and look for unusual lumps.

Fur mites can be common in gerbils who are housed on wood shavings or sawdust. If your gerbils are showing any of these symptoms of a parasite infestation, contact your vet:

Hair loss
Red, irritated skin
Severe dandruff
Small scratches all over the body
Visible lice or mites, which will look like orange or black dots in their fur

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