Temperament and company
Mongolian gerbils are social animals that need the company of other gerbils. It is best to get two or three gerbils that have grown up together: adult gerbils that do not know each other may not get on.
Gerbils are active in short bouts both day and night and sleep in between. They are curious, love to dig burrows, gnaw and explore, and are fascinating to watch.
Housing
In the wild gerbils live in burrows, so they need a roomy home with a solid floor and a deep layer of bedding to dig tunnels in. A deep-based cage or a tank with a ventilated lid works well. A wire floor hurts their feet.
Give them hideaways, cardboard tunnels and an exercise wheel with a solid running surface. Gerbils gnaw everything, so there should be no painted surfaces in their home that they could chew. Keep the home away from direct sun and draughts.
Feeding
Gerbils are omnivores: they eat both plant and animal food. Feed them food made for gerbils, some fresh vegetables and an occasional treat.
Clean water must always be available, although gerbils drink little. Introduce new foods gradually.
Handling
Tame gerbils with patience: offer a treat from your palm and let the gerbil climb onto your hand by itself. To lift it, scoop it up in both cupped hands and hold it low to the ground.
Never lift a gerbil by the tip of its tail: the skin can slip off and the tail is injured. If you need to hold it, hold only the base of the tail, right next to the body. Children should hold a gerbil sitting on the floor, with an adult watching.
Everyday health care
Check your gerbils every week: clear eyes, nose and ears, front teeth that are not overgrown, a smooth coat and an uninjured tail. Weigh them regularly.
Find a vet who sees rodents before you need one.
What you will need
- A roomy home with a solid floor and deep bedding Cages · 848 products
- Bedding deep enough to burrow in Bedding · 401 products
- Food made for gerbils Food · 2,671 products
- An exercise wheel with a solid running surface Wheels · 74 products
- A heavy bowl and a water bottle Bowls & Feeders · 258 products
- Cardboard tunnels and chews Toys · 259 products
- A carrier for trips to the vet Carriers & Crates · 57 products
The links lead to product categories, never to a product or a brand. Not a recommendation.
When to see a vet now
See a vet straight away if your gerbil stops eating, breathes with effort, is dull, has diarrhoea, has a fit or has injured its tail. Gerbils hide illness for a long time, so even a short spell off food means it should be seen.
Sources
Lifespan, weight, social needs and diet are taken from these sources. The text is our own.