Gerbellious Nation

Have you been curious about gerbils? Wanting a rewarding change in your life? Or are simply being forced to look at cute pictures of gerbils by one of your friends? Well, then you’re in the right place! If you’re in a rush and want a quick overview, scroll to the bottom!

Step 1: Mindset

It is crucial for you to be ready for the physical as well as emotional burden of any animal joining the family. This job requires you to constantly observe personality, tendencies/habits, weight, coloration, fur content, etc. Numerous people assume that since they are small, independent animals that do not crave constant human contact (like a dog), that they don’t require the same meticulous care. This is not a great mindset to go into gerbil owning with.

Step 2: Habitat

We recommend giving the gerbil(s) 5-7 days to get accustomed to their habitat. Regarding habitats, there are many options on the market. Here is what did and did not work for us (we realize that every living and financial situation differs, as well as the nature of the gerbils each person owns. Use your best judgement to decide what works best for you!).

1. The first habitat, we tried, was a “FULL CHEEKS Townhouse Hamster Habitat”. This seemed like a fantastic idea at first. It came with a water bottle, wheel, hideaway, bowl, ramp, and shelf. This particular habitat also had a plastic bottom containing burrowing space for bedding. Assembly was ridiculously hard, and the wheel hung so low into the lower space it wouldn’t even turn. Not only that, but the gerbils did not have enough space to run and jump around, or really, to burrow. The most annoying part, was the scratching. Our gerbils had a field day scratching at the corners of the plastic enclosure. This cost roughly $90, and our gerbils were not happy.
2. The second habitat, we tried (and liked a lot), was a tank topper situated on top of a 10-gallon aquarium tank (tank not included). The “You and Me Small Animal High Rise” is a metal topper containing a platform and two ramps, as well as latches to secure the topper to the tank; one ramp leading up to the platform, and the other down into the tank. This was a much nicer option for Tom and Jerry. They had a ton of room to burrow, and immediately ceased to chew and scratch at the walls. Our only concern was that the silicone holding the tank together could be dangerous for the gerbils, but upon further investigation, the worst it would do would give them a stomach ache, and then they’d poop it out. With the extra burrow space, our babies dug an entire underground tunnel system, using play toys and treats to increase the system’s durability. We chose to add a food bowl, a standing running wheel (which we zipptied to the cage), two water bottles, a litter box, and a *sand bath. This has worked great as it’s easy to move, clean, and maintain. The gerbils are thrilled.

*Note on the sand bath: You want to make sure you purchase play sand, or gerbil sand, that is dust free. Using chinchilla dust can result in the gerbil’s nose’s getting stuffy.

*Extra note: Gerbils love to dig! Having height in their enclosures allows for deeper bedding. If keeping more than one gerbil in a tank, you will likely want more than 20 gallons!

Step 3: Mite Prevention

It is crucial to keep in mind that when purchasing any new pet, to get them seen at a vet’s office for possible pests and diseases. Within the first couple of weeks of enjoying Tom and Jerry’s company, we noticed that they were scratching themselves and grooming each other obsessively. Upon doing some research, we came to the conclusion that they had mites. However, no vets in our city took gerbils as clients, so we had to take matters into our hands. This took a great deal of time, but we finally found a cost-effective, human AND animal safe, mite spray that smells fantastic. Pestavert offers a small spray bottle for $12.99 that claims to act against, “mites, lice, fleas, ticks, and lots of other bothersome external parasites. Bonus? It also helps prevent larval infestations (“flystrike”)… we know how awful those can be for our animals.” True to their claims, after spritzing the gerbils and spraying their tank, the itching stopped immediately. They were much more playful, and seemed to greatly appreciate the relief. This mixture contains:

• Purified Water 93.5%
• Lemongrass Oil 4%
• Cinnamon Oil 1%
• Sesame Oil 1%
• Castor Oil 0.5%

We highly recommend this for any fluffy or feathery friends you might have. In addition to Pestavert, we have discovered that creating a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar is a safe cleaning spray that can be applied to bedding, and for a tank wipe down. It works wonders for any odors you might come across.

Step 4: Diet

Fruit, fruit, fruit, and more fruit… within reason, of course. We give Tom and Jerry a couple of blueberries 2-3 times per week, and they go crazy for them! Try to avoid fruits with high acidity, such as pineapple, and food/treats that contain corn or corn kernels; the corn is very hard and can end up breaking their teeth. Their main diet consists of Oxbow Hamster and Gerbil Food. It’s full of nutrients and the gerbils greatly prefer it to that of the pet store’s pellets. We also give them a variety of treats, including but not limited to… Vitacraft Crunch Sticks and Yogurt Drops, Tropical Carnival Millet Spray Snips, Sunburst Veggie Garden, and Kaylee Healthy Bits Treats. Our gerbils are healthy, and strong. Providing them with these delicious treats caused them to bond with us quickly. We highly recommend these brands (the bolded snacks are the ones that they like the best), and these can all be found at your local pet stores.

Step 5: Kindness

Your new fur babies will be scared, and confused. It is normal for them to not eat or want to be held when you first bring them home. After getting a habitat set up for them to settle into, give them anywhere from 5 days, to 2 weeks to get fully settled in before handling/playing with them. Meanwhile, spend lots of time sitting quietly near the cage, using a soft voice, while giving them plenty of treats. They will want to bond with you, unlike dwarf hamsters. Give them a chance, and they will become great companions. If any unwanted behavior is noticed such as escape attempts, or biting, give them a firm “no” and a quick blow of air to their face. This will stop them in their tracks and make them rethink their actions.

Overview:

• Be in the right mindset, ready to take the gerbils on emotionally, physically, and financially.
• Find the appropriate habitat. We recommend “You and Me Small Animal High Rise” aquarium topper (tank not included).
• Gerbil health. If you notice any itching, biting, changes in behavior, or aggression, get them some mite spray from Pestavert. It smells great and it works very fast. Also consider using a homemade cleaning solution spray consisting of equal part water and vinegar to clean their bedding.
• Gerbils love fruit! But don’t give them too much. We have found that a blueberry every few days does the trick. Avoid fruits with high acidity, and hard foods such as corn kernels that can break their teeth.
• Be kind to your fur babies, and they will be kind to you. Have patience and understanding that living with you is an entirely new experience for them. Give them some time to settle in, and show them you’re not a threat. If there is any unwanted behavior, give them a stern “no”, and blow a puff of air onto their faces.

Happy Gerbil Keeping!!!