*PLEASE NOTE: This care sheet is for MONGOLIAN GERBILS Only! Degu and Duprasi require much different needs and care ethics!*
Mongolian Gerbils in General:
Gerbils are hyper little Rodents that can amuse you for hours with their endless energy.
They MUST be kept in pairs of the same gender, for they are very social animals and enjoy each other's company.
They adore burrowing and they are avid chewers. Gerbils cannot have plastic toys or enrichment in their tanks.
Now a days, Gerbils can live anywhere from 2-4 years, of course always keep in mind that illness can strike for any pet at any time.
Bedding and Substrate:
Gerbils are very similar to Hamsters when it comes to bedding choice. Gerbils are recommended to have 5-7 inches of bedding.
They adore burrowing, tunneling and making home-made caves to live in.
● Kaytee Clean and Cozy
● Aspen
● Carefresh
Tanks, Cages and Housing:
The minimum Guideline by the
American Gerbil Society is:
10-gallon tank 1 or 2 gerbils
15-gallon tank 3 gerbils
20-gallon tank 4 gerbils
30-gallon tank 6 gerbils
However, many owners will agree that a 20gal tank is more suitable for a pair of Gerbils.
As it allows more bedding, toys and space. Cages made of plastic are usually not recommended to keep Gerbils in
due to their love for chewing.
(I personally follow the 10 gallons per Gerbil rule)
Nutrition:
Gerbils are generally simple when it comes to food selections and nutrition.
Gerbils can either be fed from a bowl or scatter-fed.
Many breeders recommend foods like:
● Brown's Tropical Carnival Gourmet Food for Hamsters & Gerbils
● Ecotrition Essential Blend for Hamster and Gerbils
● Ecotrition Organic Hamster & Gerbil Food
● Oxbow Essentials Healthy Handfuls Hamster/Gerbil
● Mazuri Hamster & Gerbil Diet
● Supreme Pet Foods Gerri Gerbil complete muesli
Non-breeding
Protein: 12% - Fat:7%
Older 2+
Protein: 10.5% - Fat: 4%
Breeders
Protein: 15.5% - Fat: 8%
Wheels:
Gerbils are incredibly active animals and will usually enjoy a good run on their wheel.
Some Gerbils enjoy their wheels and others will not, or you can have the situation where only one of your pair will like the wheel!
Regardless, it is always a wise choice to have a wheel available for your Gerbil(s).
Silent Spinners, CSE Wheels, Comfort Wheels and Wodent Wheels are all acceptable choices for your Gerbils.
4-Crossed Mesh Wheels are also an option, but many prefer the wheels listed above.
Toys, Hides and Enrichment:
As mentioned before, Gerbils have energy with no bounds.
With their love for burrowing and chewing, it's always best to cater to their needs to make them feel more comfortable in their environment.
Gerbils cannot have any sort of Plastic in their tanks, they will chew it relentlessly until there is no more.
The best kind of material for your Gerbil's tank is:
Cardboard, Ceramic, Glass and Wood. Cardboard is the cheapest and most efficient way to keep your Gerbil's entertained.
Gerbils also ADORE Sand baths.
Pairs:
Gerbils MUST be kept in pairs.
They are incredibly social animals that will rely on each other for grooming, entertainment and many other purposes.
With any animal, your gerbils have a chance of falling out.
When you are left with one Gerbil, you will need to use a
Split Cage to introduce your Gerbil with another friend of the same sex.
Vet Funds:
Like ANY animal, you will need to be sure you have a constant income or a vet fund for your pet if it were to become ill.
Common Gerbil illnesses are: Strokes, Seizures, Tumors, Red-Nose and Respiratory Problems.
Gerbil Checklist!:
● A 20gal Tank or More
● Proper Nutritional Food
● A Vet Fund
● A Water Bottle
● A Wheel or Two
● Bedding/Substrate
● Lot's of Cardboard/Toys
● A Sand Bath (Optional)
● A Food Dish (Optional)
●And lastly, two Gerbils of the same sex!
(Sources: AGS, Moonstone Gerbils, eGerbil, The Gerbil Forum.)
[Care Sheet Written By: Sycohearted]