Gerbils

Mongolian gerbils are a popular, easy-care pet rodent with many charming qualities. They are originally from Mongolia, as you would imagine, though some can be found in neighbouring countries. There are other species of gerbils found in various parts of the world, but only a few are available as pets.

Mongolian gerbils have been bred extensively in captivity since 1935, when some were captured from the wild and used as lab rodents. Today we have many colour varieties in addition to the original wild golden agouti. New colour mutations appear more often these days, and even different coat types are starting to emerge as well. It's a great time in history to have pet gerbils.

Gerbils are high-energy, busy, curious animals. When they're not eating or sleeping, they're probably busy doing something with great determination and effort! Survival in the wild must have been a lot of work since gerbils have so much energy. If you see a gerbil that is not active, it might just be tired at the moment, but it could also be ill, stressed, or even depressed.

Gerbils are social animals. They naturally live in groups called clans. Just like people, they like to have friends or family to hang out with. And like people, the occasional oddball would just as soon be a hermit! For many of them, being forced to live alone for a long time could be a bit like living in a prison cell. It's best to keep gerbils in groups of at least two.

Happy gerbils are gerbils with something to do. Most love digging tunnels in deep bedding, and chewing up all the toilet paper tubes, boxes, hay, branches and other toys their thoughtful owners give them. They also like to come out to play, climbing around on their owners or in playpens, and visiting other parts of your house too.

You might think of gerbils as "green" pets. Many items that you would otherwise toss in the garbage can see a second life as gerbil toys. All sorts of cardboard and paper will be eagerly reduced to tiny shreds in the gerbil cage. Paper towel and toilet paper tubes are obvious favourites, but plain cardboard cereal and cookie boxes can also be chewed up and played inside. Sensitive documents and no shredder? Well, let your gerbils reduce them to unreadable form! Most newspapers these days are made with non-toxic ink (ask about yours if you're not sure) and provide gerbils with all sorts of noisy fun if you crumple up the page first. Besides chew toys, glass jars left over after your jam or pasta sauce is gone make great cozy hideouts. Wash them carefully, and let them soak in hot soapy water until the label comes off easily. Your gerbils will love them. Keep your eyes open for other safe items your gerbils might enjoy, instead of sending them to the landfill.

Gerbils, like people and dogs, have personalities. Spend time watching them and playing with them. You'll get to know them well and be able to spot anything unusual right away.

If you have several gerbils, you might notice they have different favourite activities. Hobbies! Some are dedicated diggers and their chew toys may last a while. Others love chewing best, shredding things very quickly. Those gerbils may also find ways to quickly destroy water bottles, especially plastic ones if they can reach them. There are even gerbils who quite enjoy practicing their jumping skills. It looks a bit like jumping on a trampoline without the trampoline!

Then again, all your gerbils might be like peas in a pod, every one liking to do exactly the same things. You never know!

The only types of cages we are aware of suitable for long term gerbil homes are tanks (as used for aquariums, but need not be waterproof), and plastic storage bins that have been modified for gerbil use. Custom made shelving units are also a workable option, but much more complicated to design and build.

The habitats composed of plastic tubes commonly used for hamsters make lovely playgrounds for gerbils to use while supervised. But whatever the pet store staff may tell you, gerbils left to themselves in them may eventually chew their way out.

A tank used for gerbils will require a lid. Some gerbils are expert jumpers, and with practice can learn to jump much higher than one might expect. One of our gerbils could hop over barriers two feet high with ease. Be sure your lid attaches securely or is heavy enough to not be pushed off.

For adequate ventilation, most or all of the lid should be of a strong mesh-type material. Screen door type mesh is too thin and can be chewed through. We once had a trio of boys chew a hole through mesh that we had thought was out of reach. Not sure who did the chewing, but they all left through the hole!

Plastic storage bins, like those produced by Rubbermaid and Sterilite, can also be converted, and are much less expensive than glass tanks. They are also lighter, and easier to carry and to clean. Gerbils do need light to go about their business, so only semi-transparent bins should be considered. Before purchase, run your hand around all inside surfaces, checking for anything a gerbil might catch with its teeth and chew through.

Plastic bins are designed to seal out air, so most of the central section of the lid that comes with the bin must be sawed or cut out, and hardware cloth (maximum 1/4") must be securely attached in its place. Hardware cloth can be cut with tin snips. Use wire to sew the hardware cloth into the space. To make attachment holes around the inside edges of your lid, use an electric drill or a hole punch.

As for size, what will be recommended to you by various sources will depend on where you live. European countries are often more advanced in pet keeping than North America. A common European recommendation is 10 gallons per gerbil, or a minimum of 20 gallons for a pair. Some countries in Europe require even larger cages by law. In North America, official standards are based on minimalist lab animal housing. The typical lab gerbil has a very short life before the experiment comes to the stage where the gerbil is humanely euthanized. For short term housing, a ten gallon tank (5 gallons per gerbil) is fine. Pet gerbils with longer lives will appreciate more space.

Most commercial small animal beddings sold in pet stores work well. Our personal preference is kiln-dried pine shavings, which we have used for many years with success. Kiln drying removes most of the hazardous volatile oils in softwoods that may harm gerbils' respiratory systems. Large packages of pine shavings can be purchased cheaply at farm supply stores, if you have many gerbils like we do.

Bedding will need to be changed when it starts to look dirty or acquires an unpleasant smell. How often depends largely on how deep the bedding is. Very deep bedding, filling the cage nearly to the top, provides excellent burrowing opportunities for the gerbils, and may remain clean for several months. A thin layer of shavings on the bottom of the cage, however, may need to be changed every few days. Deep bedding is no more expensive in the long run than a thin layer.

Some gerbils are runners, and love a great workout if they have a wheel. Other gerbils could not be bothered with wheels, and may even hurt themselves on them. If you want to give them a wheel, it's best to start with gerbils who have learned to use one when young. Later, without another gerbil demonstrating the technique, they may not figure it out (or bother to try). A wheel is not mandatory. Some people don't think they should be used at all.

Wheels composed of parallel bars have the potential to cause injury to tails or toes, especially if the gerbil has not been well trained by experienced gerbils in their use. Mesh wheels can be safer. In any case, only metal wheels are practical for gerbils. Plastic ones will be destroyed by chewing, later if not sooner.

Mixes sold as hamster/gerbil food containing grains and seeds should provide most of the nutrients your gerbils need. Do check the label though. Growing gerbils, as well as pregnant and lactating females may need a richer diet, with more protein and fat than suitable for adult and elderly gerbils. As much as 18-22% protein is appropriate. Adult and older gerbils will live longer healthier lives if their protein is limited to 10-14%.

Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are particular gerbil favourites, but are very high in fat. Fat content should be limited to 3-7% for all but the very young and lactating moms. As active animals, gerbils do need good nourishment to supply their energy needs. Mixes with many coloured bits and fruits might look good to you, but may be too high in sugar and lead to unhealthy gerbils.

Limited amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits are excellent supplements to the basic diet, adding any vitamins and minerals otherwise missed. These should be introduced when gerbils are young, or they might not realize they're edible! Hay and safe tree branches are also excellent additions to a balanced diet, providing both nutrition and exercise. Unsweetened breakfast cereals like Cheerios make wonderful treats as well.

A more thorough guide to gerbil diet can be found here: e-gerbil diet

Most gerbils will naturally bury their food. This is normal! Anything they don't eat immediately is put away for later this way. Foraging for buried food later will provide them with an enjoyable activity. To make the most of foraging, feed only every 2 - 4 days, but do give them enough to last! Some gerbils will eat their favourite foods first, and an unbalanced diet may result if there's so much food they can leave some parts of their meals untouched.

Water should be available at all times. Plastic small animal bottles are inexpensive, but it can be a challenge to keep them from being chewed. Glass bottles with metal parts will last a long time, if you can find them.

You may also need a holder to attach the water bottle to the tank, depending on your configuration. Metal holders will obviously last longer than plastic. Other options include attaching the bottle to the outside of the tank, either through holes drilled on the side of a bin cage, or set on top of the hardware cloth lid if the bedding comes high enough so the gerbils can reach their water.

In any case, you will need to check on the water bottle every day (some people prefer to replace the water daily). The mechanism can jam so it doesn't release water and your gerbils will go thirsty. To check, tap the end of the sipper with your finger until your finger is wet.

Other things to watch for with water bottles is bedding getting piled up against the sipper. If this happens, the water will drain from the bottle and leave you a tank full of soggy bedding. Wet bedding must be replaced immediately. If you use the water bottle on top of the cage system, check that your gerbils' interior renovations don't put the water out of their reach!

Gerbils are quick, not to mention industrious, so the possibility exists that one may get away from you some day. With any luck, you'll catch it immediately as the gerbil sits there, surprised by the change in scenery. You just need the presence of mind to act quickly.

Failing that, or if it managed to get away when you weren't there, the job may be more challenging. A tame gerbil accustomed to immediately climbing on your hand when it sees you is easiest to catch. Sunflower seeds or other favourite treats on your hand will provide further enticement. Time spent training to come to hand pays off!

In any case, close all doors and block any avenues of escape from the immediate area. The smaller the area you can confine the gerbil to, the easier the capture. Ensure there are no other loose pets or young children who may injure the gerbil or be injured in the kerfuffle.

Should you discover your gerbil has found refuge in some nook or cranny out of your reach (perhaps behind a large piece of furniture), block all possible exits except one. And be ready and waiting at that exit! If you must grab your gerbil quickly, enclose it in your hand lest it panic and leap away. Even a normally placid gerbil may panic in such a situation and behave unexpectedly.

Keep in mind that a single gerbil separated from its cage mates may not be accepted back if away for too long. Speed in returning houdini is critical!

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to retire for the night with a gerbil still on the lam, do try to eliminate as many potential hazards from the area as you can. Go down to gerbil level and look around from there. Leaving food and water in the area will also be helpful, so the gerbil need not travel far in search of nourishment. He will only be harder to find if he ventures off.

If you really have no idea where the little darling has gotten to, sprinkle some flour around the edge of the room (on flat surfaces) and across doorways. Little footprints left behind in the flour may provide clues. Most gerbils are remarkably ingenious and resourceful, and can survive (very happily, I might add) for a while if the recapture project takes longer, providing you have secured a safe area and food and water are easily available.

Many years ago, we had a particularly outgoing and brave gerbil, a black male named Bart, pull off a remarkable escape. There was no catching him. Eventually, we thought for sure he must be lost for good and gave up hope. As it turned out, he had set up a very cozy nest in the warm refrigerator motor, and was living happily on the dog's food and water and who knows what else he found. During his escapade, he became exceptionally fit, and ever after was most difficult to contain in any type of enclosure. He was quite displeased about being caught and decidedly unhappy with ordinary cage life from then on.

Gerbils are a hardy, healthy species, rarely ill or injured if well cared for. Minor injuries to their tails or legs may not even require treatment as they are designed to heal on their own.

In the wild, long tails would have served as defense mechanisms. A predator might catch only the tail of a quick-moving gerbil. The skin and fur on the tail would sheer off, leaving predator with only a bit of skin and allowing the gerbil to live another day. This was not a serious injury; gerbils have the ability to recover quickly. The injured portion of the tail would simply dry up in the arid habitat, and the gerbil would chew off the remaining bone. Life would go on, albeit with a shorter tail.

In the same way, should the tail be accidentally damaged (perhaps by someone foolishly attempting to pick a gerbil up by the tail) the remainder will dry up and be chewed off. Your gerbil will end up with a shorter tail. In North America, vets are erroneously taught to amputate the tail in such instances, causing considerable stress to gerbil and owner, not to mention the potential for complications or death related to anesthetic use.

If you have any doubts about your gerbil's well-being, ALWAYS seek expert advice!

Caring for pets together, parent and child working as a team, is a wonderful bonding activity. The memories will last for a lifetime, as will the skills and sense of responsibility.

Many parents mistakenly believe their child can have one, and only one, pet. The theory is that they must prove themselves capable of looking after one before earning the right to have more.

Choosing a naturally social species like gerbils is great because social animals LIKE to interact with others, and that usually means they like interacting with humans too. However, if a naturally social gerbil is kept alone, it is likely become lonely and depressed. Lonely and depressed gerbils will not be interested in their surroundings or the child, and inevitably, the child will become bored with a pet that doesn't do anything. This is not unexpected, and will be most disappointing.

I would suggest that a minimum of two pets will more likely maintain a child's attention over time. Multiple pets are more likely to be well cared for, because they are alert and active, and will respond to and play with the child. When the pets are fun and interesting, they get more care and attention. As with all things children are responsible for, their activities should not only be supervised by an adult, but better yet, the parent is best involved as well. The amount of parental oversight needed will depend on the maturity of the child, of course.

Keep in mind that if gerbils are kept in excessively small habitats, they may spend almost all their time digging pointlessly in a corner or chewing on the bars until the hair rubs off their noses. This is just like zoo animals that paced back and forth all day when they used to be kept in small cages. These behaviours are called stereotypies.

Now we know better. Zoo animals now get decent sized natural habitats where they can behave as nature intended. They are far more interesting to watch behaving naturally than pacing back and forth! Gerbils too should have roomy, pleasant homes filled with interesting things for them to do. Watching them will provide hours of entertainment for young and old alike!