Gerbil Care 101: Everything You Need to Know
Brainy Buyz
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Do you have the cutest pet gerbils, too? Gerbils are small but have prominent personalities that make them irresistible companions. Today, I have guided you on keeping your little Gerbil happy, healthy, and active. It consists of 10 points. Try this, but you won’t be able to imagine the positive change in your Gerbil. Read to the end for some gifts to keep your little Gerbil healthy & happy. I will include a list of suitable foods & things that are good for gerbils at the end of the post. I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost if you purchase any recommended products. It helps support my effort to bring valuable content and contributes to covering my living expenses, including bills and groceries. Amazon takes care of the commission, so you have no added cost.
10. Choosing the Right Habitat
- Gerbils need a spacious, secure cage to dig and burrow. A well-ventilated 10-gallon aquarium or a specially designed gerbil enclosure with a solid bottom is ideal.
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09. Bedding Options
When choosing bedding options for gerbils, select materials that are comfortable and protective for them. For example
- Best Bedding – Use paper-based bedding or aspen shavings. These are soft and absorbent and allow your Gerbil to burrow naturally.
- What to Avoid – Stay away from pine or cedar shavings. These can release harmful chemicals that can irritate a gerbil’s respiratory system.
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08. Proper Diet
Gerbils need a balanced diet to stay healthy. Here’s what their diet should include:
- Gerbil Pellets or Mix – Buy a high-quality, store-bought gerbil food with the right mix of grains, seeds, and nutrients. It should be the central part of their diet.
- Fresh Fruits and Vegetables—You can feed them small pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables. Apples, carrots, and broccoli are safe alternatives. But avoid giving them too much because they can have digestive problems.
- Water – Always provide access to fresh, clean water in a bottle with a sipper tube.
- Avoid Sugary or Fatty Treats—Sugary snacks like chocolate and candy and foods high in fat are bad for gerbils. Avoid giving such things to gerbils.
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07. Social Creatures
- Gerbils are naturally social animals. They want the company of other gerbils. They live in groups in the wild, and being left alone can cause them loneliness and stress. I recommend that you keep them as a herd with several gerbils when keeping them as pets.
06. Handling and Socialization
Gerbils are a friendly and affectionate group of animals. They need to be handled gently. Allow your Gerbil to reach out to you. Manipulate them to build trust. Avoid touching the tail because injuries may occur.
05. Exercise Needs
Gerbils are active and energetic by nature. So they need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Not getting enough physical activity can be tedious, stressful, or unhealthy.
- Exercise Wheel – A gerbil-safe exercise wheel is an excellent way for them to run and burn off energy. Make sure the wheel has a solid surface. Wire ropes can cause leg injuries.
- Tunnels and Toys—Gerbils love to dig and explore. Tunnels, tubes, and chew toys keep their muscles active. Paper towels and cardboard boxes can be pointed out as cheaper alternatives.
- Supervised Time Outside the Cage—Another way to provide exercise is to Let them explore a safe area outside the cage. This will keep them safe from escape attempts and dangerous animals.
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04. Cleaning the Cage
- Remove soiled bedding and clean the cage weekly or monthly. But don’t use chemicals that are harmful to them.
03. Gerbil Health Monitoring
- Changes in eating habits, lethargy, or unusual behaviour can be signs of illness. Therefore, consult a DOCTOR on small animals and seek advice. Comment below if you want to learn more about the diseases here.
02. Gerbil temperature and Environment
- Gerbils thrive in temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Avoid exposing them to extreme heat or cold; direct sunlight harms them.
01. Enrichment Activities
- Gerbils need mental stimulation to be happy. Change their toys regularly and introduce new things like cardboard boxes, tunnels, and chewy toys to keep them excited.
Today, I have taught you how to properly care for little gerbils and keep them happy and healthy. I hope you liked this topic; please comment below.
