How to Care for a Gerbil

Taking care of a gerbil seems like hard work, but it really isn't. A lot of gerbil care is just common sense. The rest of it is really just caring about your gerbil enough to ensure it is safe, comfortable and healthy. Keep in mind that your gerbil should live no less than 3 to 5 years when cared for properly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cage
• Food
• Bedding
• Treats
• Toys
• Veterinarian experienced with gerbils and willing to treat them regularly.
• Gerbil care book (PetSmart will give you one of these when you buy your gerbil)

Nutrition

1. Feed your gerbil foods that enable it to receive all of its nutrients. These foods include "pet block" and gerbil mix.

2. Add supplements if your gerbil is not getting enough vitamins and minerals. There are salt and mineral blocks and vitamin supplements that you can add to their water.

3. Give additional foods only as treats. Otherwise, your gerbil may be getting too much of one vitamin and not enough of others.

4. Take your gerbil to the vet if they are not eating properly for more than one or two days.

Environment

5. Keep your gerbil away from drafts, heat and direct sunlight. If they get too hot or cold, they cannot get away from it.

6. Use bedding to cover the floor of the cage. This makes it more comfortable for the gerbil and soaks up urine. This should be changed once a week or when it gets dirty, whichever happens first.

7. Keep your gerbil's cage clean and stocked with plenty of food and water.

8. Be sure to change the food out if it gets wet to avoid mold.

Health and Happiness

9. Install an exercise wheel for your gerbil. They need to exercise, and this is the most enjoyable way for them to do so.

10. Place a sand bath in your gerbil's cage with very fine sand or chinchilla dust. This helps them to clean their coat.

11. Allow your gerbil to chew on wood gnaws. This helps them to keep their teeth short.

Tips & Warnings

• Unscented and undyed paper towels, napkins or toilet paper can be substituted for bedding.
• Do not buy any bedding made of fluffy cotton wool, as it can harm the gerbil if they eat it.
• Do not use straw as bedding, as the sharp edges can also harm the gerbil.
• Never feed your gerbil food designed for other animals. This will not be healthy for them and may even be harmful.
• Do not use bedding with fine sawdust, which can cause eye irritation.
• Do not use bedding made of cedar wood shavings, as the chemicals in cedar causes severe irritations in gerbils.
• Do not use any bedding that is scented, as this can also cause irritation.
• Never use corn cob bedding, as it can become moldy if it gets wet. It also swells if the gerbil eats it.
• When buying an exercise wheel, be sure there are no "rungs" as the gerbil can get his feet caught in the holes. Also, be sure that it has a solid outside, as the gerbil could harm himself if he tries to stick his head out while running.