Gerbils are small, active and sociable, but the RSPCA warns that their needs are complex and that they are easily injured by rough or careless handling. The most commonly kept pet species is the Mongolian gerbil. This guide summarises the RSPCA’s advice on housing, company, food and handling. It is general welfare information, not a substitute for a vet, who should be consulted about any change in a gerbil’s health.
What kind of animal a gerbil is
The RSPCA describes gerbils as burrowing rodents adapted to desert environments in Africa, India and Asia. It says they can live for up to three to four years and dig deep burrows. They gnaw to keep their teeth short, because the teeth never stop growing, and they cannot climb well because fur covers the soles of their feet. Because they are prey animals, the RSPCA says, they are naturally timid and rely on burrows to feel safe from predators.
Housing: the gerbilarium
The RSPCA advises a special gerbilarium rather than a barred cage. It should be large enough to provide shelter, chances to dig and space to exercise, with solid glass walls, a secure wire-mesh top and a solid floor so that bedding can be provided. Cages with metal bars are not recommended, because gerbils may slip and injure their legs or feet and may gnaw the bars, which can damage their teeth.
- Bedding depth. The RSPCA recommends 20 to 30cm of bedding deep enough for burrows, in an enclosure ideally about 50cm high so that an adult, roughly 12cm tall, can dig and still stand upright.
- Suitable bedding. A mix of rough-grained woodchips and hay gives structure to burrows. It says garden soil is not recommended because it may contain harmful bacteria or parasites, and sawdust should not be used because it may cause respiratory problems.
- Nesting material. Gerbils should always have access to material they can shred, such as ink-free cardboard, paper and hay. The RSPCA warns against materials that separate into thin strands, such as cotton wool, saying they pose a serious welfare risk.
- Enrichment. It lists a rough-surfaced object such as a stone, tubes and tunnels of at least 5cm diameter to avoid gerbils getting stuck, and wood or hay tunnels rather than plastic, which gerbils will gnaw. A running wheel can help with exercise, but it should be a good-quality, solid, axle-free wheel of large diameter, such as one intended for rats, and should not be the only enrichment.
Keeping the home comfortable
The RSPCA says the enclosure should be indoors, dry and draught-free, away from direct sunlight and radiators. It gives an ideal temperature range of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius. Because gerbils communicate using ultrasonic frequencies, it advises keeping them away from things that generate ultrasound, such as televisions, computer screens, vacuum cleaners and sources of running water. It recommends a deep clean every two to three weeks, keeping a little used but unsoiled bedding because removing all odours can be stressful and may trigger fighting.
Company
The RSPCA says gerbils need to live with other gerbils and should never be kept alone. They can be housed in same-sex pairs or groups if the groups are formed early in life and are stable, ideally young litter mates or members of a harmonious group. Males and females should not be kept together unless the owner can provide for their young and find good homes for the offspring. Additional members should not normally be added later, because established groups are unlikely to accept new animals, with a possible exception for juveniles under five weeks old. Where that is attempted, the RSPCA suggests housing the animals separately but next to each other for about a week, swapping some used bedding, and monitoring them closely. It also advises against putting unfamiliar adult gerbils in adjacent enclosures, which it says they can find frustrating and stressful.
The RSPCA adds that other pets, particularly dogs and cats, must not be able to reach gerbils, which are prey animals.
Food and water
Gerbils need a good-quality balanced diet formulated for gerbils, either compound pellets or a seed mix, fed according to the manufacturer’s guidance. The RSPCA suggests scattering food on the surface of the bedding to prevent squabbling and let them forage. Fruit such as pear, melon, apple and orange, and vegetables such as cucumber, carrot, pumpkin and fennel, can supplement the diet, and pumpkin seeds are a healthy treat. It warns against grapes and rhubarb, which it describes as poisonous to rodents, and against excessive amounts of fatty seeds such as sunflower, which can cause obesity. Fresh water should always be available in a bottle with a metal sipper tube, checked daily. Because gerbils hoard, stale food should be removed daily, and dietary changes should be gradual. If eating or drinking changes, or faeces become moist or hindquarters soiled, the RSPCA says to go to a vet straight away.
Handling
The RSPCA says gerbils do not like being picked up and may become scared and aggressive if they feel threatened. It suggests building trust gradually: first getting the gerbils used to a person’s voice and presence, then gentle stroking, then daily interaction, never forcing handling. Gerbils should be picked up by cupping them gently with two hands and supporting the body. They should never be lifted by the tail, because they can shed the outer layer of skin and hair, leaving bone and muscle exposed. They should not be scruffed or held at height and should be handled above a table or while sitting down. The RSPCA also says never to leave gerbils out of their gerbilarium unattended or overnight.
Frequently asked questions
Can a single gerbil be kept alone?
No. The RSPCA says gerbils need to live with other gerbils and should never be kept on their own.
The bottom line
The RSPCA’s advice comes down to a deep-bedded, solid-walled gerbilarium, a stable same-sex group, gnawing, shredding and burrowing opportunities, a formulated diet with careful treats, and gentle handling that is never forced. Anyone unsure whether they can meet those needs should think carefully before taking on gerbils.