Gerbils
CARE Sheet
Gerbil
(Meriones unguliculatus)
Origin:Central Asia
Central AsiaSize:3-4" long
3-4" longPet Status:Good
GoodLife span:3-5 years
3-5 yearsBreeding ability: Excellent. Gestation period of 24-26 days; average litter 3-10 babies
Compatibility with other species:Not recommended
Not recommendedFeeding:Seed Mixture & vitamin supplements, limited fruits & vegetables
Seed Mixture & vitamin supplements, limited fruits & vegetables Bio:
In the wild, Mongolian gerbils live in the desert where there is little vegetation, low rainfall and temperatures that fluctuate enormously between summer and winter, and day and night.
The survival of gerbils is down to their burrowing instincts. Burrowing allows them to protect themselves from the extremes in temperature as, under the soil, temperatures remain constant.
Gerbil burrows in the wild are a complex array of tunnels, with nests and food storage chambers which allow the gerbil to stay underground for long periods of time.
The gerbil species has evolved to need only limited food and water. Their long hind legs allow them to cover large distances in a harsh habitat in order to collect food.
General diet:
In their natural habitat gerbils eat a selection of wind blown seeds, grain and grasses. Gerbils are often mistaken as herbivores, but they are omnivores and do need a small amount of protein in their diet to keep them healthy. In the wild they would satisfy this need by eating grubs and insects. Afortified seed mix should be the base of your gerbils diet.
Treats/extra foods:
Treats are so called because that’s just what they should be – a “treat”. If fed correctly they are not detrimental to a gerbil and the gerbil will love them. However, treats are designed to be an extremely small element of the animal’s diet, and overfeeding may lead to health problems such as obesity, dental problems and heart disease.
Some natural Treats you can provide for your gerbil are parsley, carrot, apple, celery, broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, kale, spinach, peas, swede, tomatoes, banana and cucumber.
Too much green food will cause diarrhea. If you feed your gerbil human food, remember to avoid foods that are high in calories, sugary or contain too much fat.
They also have continuously-growing teeth so need to gnaw to help wear down their teeth. To help keep your gerbil’s teeth healthy you need to provide lots of hay and a gnawing block.
Vitamins/supplements:
A balanced diet should provide all the vitamins your gerbil needs. If your gerbil begins selective feeding (eating only certain things from its seed mix while discarding everything else) or if you just want to be absolutley sure your pet is getting what it needs, multivitamins are available.
Housing:
Gerbils need good, secure, roomy housing. They can be kept in a wire cage with a plastic base or a plastic hamster home (just keep in mind that most gerbils love to chew) but the best option is to construct a “gerbilarium” (an aquarium with a well ventilated cover). Never keep them in a wooden hutch as they will gnaw their way out!
A good cage will be two tiered and have at least two compartments – one for the day and one to nest and hide in at night. Don’t forget that if you have more than one gerbil you will need a bigger cage. They prefer to sleep separately at night, too, so need their own nesting areas. Would you want to share your bedroom all the time?
The minimum size for a good cage is 20" x 12" wide x 12" tall. This will need to be much larger if you are keeping more than one gerbil. Remember that a cage can NEVER be too big – buy or make the largest cage you can manage.
You could also provide an “exercise yard” for your gerbil that allows him plenty of room to exercise. Gerbils are naturally frightened of large, open spaces but love playing in a run that contains playthings, such as boxes, flowerpots, drainpipes and logs.
Sanitation/General care:
Use bedding materials that are clean, non-toxic, absorbent, dust free and easily replaced. Some bedding materials are wood shavings (Aspen or kiln dried pine NO CEDAR), shredded paper, processed ground corn cob or commercial pellets. Provide a house or other structure where the pig can hide when frightened or tired. Keep the cage on a stand or sturdy table away from cold, damp areas, out of direct sunlight and drafts.
General Maintenance:
Clean the cage thoroughly with hot water at least once each week. Always remove non-eaten greens, fruits and vegetables at the end of each way and wash all food dishes with hot water at least twice weekly. Make sure that a constant supply of fresh water is available at all times. You can also place toys, ladders, blocks and other materials in their cages to encourage this type of activity.
Health care:
Gerbils are hardy animals and rarely get sick, however if not taken care of properly, they can become ill. Signs that an animal is not feeling well include listlessness, a dull matted coat, refusing to eat, labored breathing, runny nose, watery eyes and constipation. In most cases medications are available at your pet store, in some cases a trip to the vet may be required.
Gerbils love to have a dust bath. Place a high quality sand into a box or bowl and let your gerbil roll around and flip over. They will thoroughly enjoy themselves and the sand will help keep their coats healthy by removing excess oils.
Taming/handling:
To ensure that your gerbil becomes tame and affectionate it is important that you handle it frequently and correctly. Picking up a gerbil incorrectly could lead to your pet being permanently frightened and may lead to it becoming aggressive.
Remember that most small animals are prey in the wild. So, if they are approached from above they will see a large shadow and become scared. They might run and hide or try to attack you.
Before attempting to handle your gerbil, make sure he is awake and alert or he might be scared and try to bite you. Talking to your pet makes him aware that you are close by and wanting to socialize. Always approach your gerbil calmly and gently. Once your gerbil knows you are near, place a closed fist in front of it and allow it to approach. If he is confident and appears interested, slowly unclench your first and open your hand to allow him to craw on to your palm. If he does not approach you, gently scoop him up and cup him in the palm of your two hands to ensure he is safe and won’t be dropped.
To ensure he is safe at all times, you should hold him over your lap or close to your chest. Never squeeze or tighten your grip during handling. Never try to pick up your gerbil by the tail as this could lead to injury and he might become aggressive.
If your gerbil wriggles during transportation, it is advisable to place him in a container to avoid any accidents.
Supplies checklist:
¨Appropriately sized cage
Appropriately sized cage¨Food bowls and water bottle
Food bowls and water bottle¨Bedding
Bedding¨High Quality Seed Mix
High Quality Seed Mix¨Timothy hay
Timothy hay¨Vitamin supplements
Vitamin supplements¨Hiding place and/or nesting box
Hiding place and/or nesting box¨Chew sticks and toys
Chew sticks and toys¨Book on the raising and training of Gerbils
Book on the raising and training of GerbilsOne Stop
Country Pet Supply
Fancy Gerbils
We currently have many different fancy gerbils available for sale.
