What to Expect from a Gerbil: Care and Behaviour

Gerbils are sociable creatures that enjoy companionship, making them fairly easy to tame. In the wild, they live in large groups, which informs how they should be kept in captivity. No reputable breeder or retailer will recommend keeping a gerbil alone, as it would be akin to solitary confinement for humans and detrimental to their wellbeing.

However, you should not simply place any gerbils together indiscriminately. Same-sex gerbils usually live well together and build affectionate bonds. They'll play chase and wrestle, as well as partake in quieter behaviours like grooming and sleeping in a cosy heap of intertwined fur and limbs.

Compared to their smaller hamster cousins, gerbils tend to be less timid and less inclined to nip, making them suitable pets for younger family members. Another positive trait is that gerbils are largely diurnal, meaning they are unlikely to disturb your sleep at night.

Gerbils love activity and exploration. Providing them with tubes and tunnels, even something as simple as a cardboard kitchen roll tube, will keep them happily busy for hours. They also have the ability to learn simple tricks; for example, with patience, they can be encouraged to climb onto your hand using treats like sunflower seeds. It's important never to pick a gerbil up by its tail, as this causes them considerable distress.

Gerbils communicate through thumping their hind legs on the ground. This surprisingly loud noise often signals excitement, fear, or alarm. If one gerbil starts thumping, others usually join in. Always check their environment to ensure they aren't feeling threatened by predators like cats, who may seem innocent but pose a real danger to these small prey animals.

Typically, gerbils live around three years, though some may live longer with good care. They are generally healthy pets and require little veterinary attention. However, due to their high metabolic rate, they can become seriously ill quickly, so seek expert advice immediately if you notice signs of illness such as lethargy.

Caring for Your Gerbil: What They Need

While gerbils are not highly demanding pets, providing for a few key needs will ensure their happiness and health.

• A weekly sand bath with chinchilla sand is essential for keeping their coat clean and healthy. The sand bath should be removed after use to prevent it becoming a toilet area.
• Provide at least a 6-inch depth of bedding or substrate to allow natural digging and burrowing behaviour. Top the substrate with hay for additional nesting material. Avoid cedar or pine shavings, which can cause respiratory problems; choose safer alternatives available on the market.
• Keep their home clean by removing old food daily and performing a thorough cleaning once a week. Gerbils naturally avoid dirty burrows and appreciate a hygienic environment.
• A nest box where they can retreat for sleep and privacy is important as gerbils enjoy quiet time away from activity.
• Toys are vital for mental and physical stimulation. Provide wood for chewing, stable rocks, ramps, ladders, and platforms that emulate a natural environment. Changing the enclosure layout occasionally will keep them interested.
• A varied diet will help meet their nutritional needs. Use a mixture of seed mixes, pellets, and a specialised block. Limit sunflower seeds due to their high fat content and offer small amounts of fruit and vegetables as treats. Scatter feeding encourages natural foraging instincts and helps prevent boredom.
• Avoid plastic toys as they can be chewed to bits and ingested, which is harmful.
• Fresh water should always be available from a bottle fitted with a metal spout to ensure cleanliness.
• Maintain room temperature around 20-25 degrees Celsius (65-68 degrees Fahrenheit) for optimal comfort.

Place your gerbil’s enclosure where they can observe daily household activities but also have peace when needed. Give them gentle attention at least twice daily, and never rely solely on companionship from other gerbils for social needs. Keep them away from windows to avoid overheating. Learning as much as you can from experienced gerbil owners and trusted resources will deepen your enjoyment and help you provide the best care for your little companion.

For those looking to find a gerbil as a pet, consider searching for gerbils for sale from reputable sources to support ethical ownership.