Gerbil

A gerbil is a good companion for:

Children under 5

Seniors

Apartments/Condos

Children ages 5–11

Busy People

Rural Homes

Life Span

A gerbil can live up to 5 years, if cared for properly.

Typical Behavior

Gerbils are very sociable and should be kept as a pair. They will play with, chase, wrestle and clean each other. Gerbils will thump both of their back feet when excited or scared. Young gerbils will thump to receive attention from their parent.

With daily handling a gerbil can become tame. As more time passes between handling, a gerbil will become less friendly towards you.

Care Requirements

Gerbils require daily care. Their water should be changed and any wet bedding should be removed.

Once a week, a gerbil's house should be completely cleaned and washed with soap and water. Be sure to completely rinse the enclosure and any accessories.

Gerbils love to have dust or sand baths. A bath house and dust or sand can be purchased at any local pet store.

A gerbil has incisor teeth that are constantly growing. It is important to provide your pet gerbil with chew sticks to help maintain the length of their teeth. Without proper toys that allow a gerbil to chew, health-related problems may arise.

Proper Habitat and Habitat Maintenance Requirements

A gerbil's home can be a glass, plastic or metal enclosure. Be sure that there is proper air flow and that the enclosure has a secure lid. Gerbils have been known to escape from their homes if not secured.

When choosing proper bedding for your gerbil’s home, you should stay away from cedar shavings as these can cause heath issues. Look to use hardwood shavings, pellets or recycled products. In the wild gerbils like to burrow. By providing your pet gerbil with extra betting, it will help it to burrow within its enclosure.

Keep your gerbil's home away from direct sun and drafty rooms.

Dietary Requirements

A high quality gerbil food is recommended to maintain the health of your gerbil. Small amounts of fruit and vegetables can be fed to your gerbil, but remove any leftovers within 24 hours.

Always avoid giving your gerbil chocolate, alcohol and caffeine. These substances can be life threatening.

Financial Considerations for a gerbil:

Veterinary

If your gerbil is cared for properly, you will not need to take it to see a veterinarian more than once a year for an annual checkup. The cost for a checkup on a gerbil will usually be no more than $40, as long as there are no health-related issues.

Grooming

There are not costs associated with grooming.

Animal Sitter

Gerbils are pretty easy to care for, so finding a sitter should be easy. The hardest part is finding someone that isn't afraid of gerbils.

Food

A high quality food will usually cost $12 a bag. A bag of food can last for several months if stored in an air tight container.

Other Supplies:

Generally a gerbil will require a cage, bedding, a food bowl, a water bottle, toys including those for exercise and play, and chew sticks.

Interesting Facts about gerbils:

• Gerbils have scent glands on their stomachs, which they often run over an object to mark it as theirs.
• Gerbils have been known to pass disease to humans, so it is important to wash your hands after you handle a gerbil.