These regulations are mostly for sellers of pets and for laboratory animals:
- Animal Welfare Regulations (England): the minimum area for 1 to 4 gerbils is 680 cm² with a minimum cage height of 30 cm and a minimum cage depth of 25 cm. ...
- Swiss Animal Protection: this regulation sets a surface minimum area of 0.5 m² for two to 4 gerbils. ...
What kind of Cage do you keep a gerbil in?
What cages are best for gerbils?
- Kaytee My First Home Small Animal Tank Topper – Best Overall.
- Ferplast Favola Hamster Cage – Best Value.
- Little Friends Mayfair Gerbilarium Cage – Premium Choice.
- Savic Habitat Cages for Gerbils and Hamsters.
- Midwest Brisby Hamster Cage.
- Midwest Critterville Arcade Cage.
How to prepare a gerbil cage?
- Give your gerbil a nice enclosed place to sleep. Gerbils like to hide and sleep in tight, dark spaces, so place a small flower pot or a box in your ...
- Add pvc tubes to your gerbil’s cage for tunneling and playing.
- Place a rock in your gerbil’s cage for perching and inspecting. ...
What bedding should you put in gerbil's cage?
- Use absorbent bedding such as recycled paper bedding or dust-free Aspen shavings. ...
- You can also use plain, shredded paper that does not have any newsprint on it.
- Once you put your gerbil in its cage, scoop out any soiled bedding as soon as you notice it, as the ammonia from urine can make your gerbil develop respiratory ...
How big should gerbil cages be?
There are countless small animal cages, but many aren’t suitable for gerbils. This can make it hard to find the right gerbil habitat. The best gerbil cages should have 10 gallons of space per gerbil and room for at least 6 inches of bedding. The gerbilarium should be made of glass or metal, as gerbils can chew through plastic.
Can I use a hamster cage for gerbils?
That said, if there is a downside to keeping gerbils as pets it's that they require somewhat specialist housing. The reason is simple; gerbils are active diggers and gnawers. This means that many cages sold for small mammals like hamsters are totally unsuitable for gerbils.
What do you put at the bottom of a gerbil cage?
Gerbils are busy animals that love to chew, dig, and burrow....A large amount of bedding will also allow your gerbil to bury its food.Use absorbent bedding such as recycled paper bedding or dust-free Aspen shavings. ... You can also use plain, shredded paper that does not have any newsprint on it.More items...
Where do you put a gerbil cage?
It's best to put your gerbil cage in a nice, quiet space in your house - they have very good hearing! Small mammals rarely do well with fluctuations in temperature, and it's for this reason that it's best to find an area in the house that has as few temperature variations as possible.
Do gerbils need a tank?
1:4517:14American Gerbil Care & Tank Sizes! | Munchie's Place - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEnough space for gerbils in the tank. Itself tank toppers are actually a good addition for gerbils.MoreEnough space for gerbils in the tank. Itself tank toppers are actually a good addition for gerbils. Because they can be a great source to house your water.
Do gerbils like to be held?
One of the nicest things about having pets is cuddling, stroking, and holding them close to you. But because gerbils get easily nervous and scared, they may not seem to be as affectionate. Most gerbils enjoy petting or sitting in your hand. Some gerbils will allow you to cuddle or hug them once trust is established.
What do gerbils like to play with?
Gerbils love to chew. A cardboard tube from a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll is one of a gerbil's favorite things. Some people have expressed concern about the types of glue used in these—and now colorful safe (and a bit more sturdy and long-lasting) cardboard tubes are made for pets to play with.
Should I cover my gerbils cage at night?
Unlike covering a bird cage, covering a gerbil cage at night won't help your gerbil sleep. Gerbils are active throughout the day and night, so darkness doesn't act as a sleep cue. However, covering the gerbilarium can help to muffle any noise coming from within. This may make it easier for you to sleep.
How long do pet gerbils live?
3-4 yearsGerbils can live for up to 3-4 years - some even live longer.
How often should I clean gerbil cage?
6—Bedding Care The bedding needs to be cleaned at least once a week, but more often if you have more than two gerbils in the same cage. You will find that your gerbils tend to go to the bathroom in one location, so this should make cleaning your cage easier.
Are gerbils smelly?
Gerbils don't smell anywhere near as bad as other rodents. Rodents have a typical and distinctive smell. The smell is variously described as musty, like ammonia or like urine. However, gerbils don't smell anywhere near as bad as other pets like mice or hamsters.
Are gerbils hard to take care of?
Gerbils are popular pets because they tend to be easy to care for and are clean with minimal odor, but they do have some special requirements to keep them happy and healthy. Due to their social nature, gerbils need to live in a pair or group. The lifespan for a gerbil is typically 3-4 years.
Do gerbils like light or dark?
They are used to bright sunshine, so seeing a little sunshine won't harm them at all. However, it's best if you don't leave your gerbil's cage in the full sun. It's far better to keep it somewhere shaded, not dark, but out of indirect sunlight. Gerbils find it far easier to warm up than to cool down.
What bedding is best for gerbils?
Gerbils need a thick layer of dust- extracted bedding to dig into. Organic soil or peat are great natural beddings for your gerbil along with meadow or Timothy hay, plus shredded paper for nesting. Don't use fluffy material as this can wrap around gerbils' limbs and injure them.
Is sand or sawdust better for gerbils?
Gerbils also require a sand bath. This helps keep their fur in good condition. You can use chinchilla sand, available from most pet shops. We never use sawdust or wood shavings as they can irritate gerbils eyes.
Do gerbils need deep bedding?
- Bedding material should be deep enough to allow your gerbils to dig and construct a system of burrows. A bedding depth of 20-30cm is recommended.
Do gerbils need sand baths?
Most gerbils need sand baths roughly once per week. But if your gerbil gets dirty more often than this, you can offer the sand bath more frequently. Black and darker-colored fur tend to get greasy more quickly. To give your gerbil a sand bath, fill the container with clean sand and place it in the gerbilarium.
What is a gerbil cage made of?
The gerbilarium should be made of glass or metal, as gerbils can chew through plastic. We’ll look at the best cages for gerbils, and what size enclosure you need. We’ll then review the five best gerbil houses available, and talk you through setting up a gerbilarium correctly.
Why are gerbils not in cages?
This type of cage isn’t appropriate for gerbils. There are 4 main reasons: Size. Gerbils need room for toys and enrichment, and space to exercise. They also live in groups, and most cages are too small. Burrowing. Most cages have a shallow base, but gerbils need a deep layer of bedding for digging tunnels.
What Are the Best Gerbil Houses?
When choosing a gerbil house, there are four main factors to consider:
How many gallons of water do gerbils need?
The bare minimum requirement is 10 U.S. gallons for one gerbil, plus 5 gallons for each additional gerbil. So, a pair of gerbils need a 15-gallon enclosure at the smallest. However, you should always provide more than the minimum tank size if possible.
How deep do gerbils need to be?
Depth. Most gerbils love to burrow, and need at least 6-8 inches of bedding at the bottom. You should choose a cage or tank that allows for this.
How many gerbils can you put in a 20 gallon gerbilarium?
This means that you should look for a 20-gallon gerbilarium for two gerbils, or a 30-gallon for three. Bigger isn’t always better, though. If a group of 3 or more gerbils has too much space, they are prone to declanning. This means they may split into two groups, and will fight if they breach each other’s territory.
Why do gerbils dig in tanks?
Gerbils in small tanks with no enrichment opportunities often show signs of stress. According to Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, this can trigger stereotypic behavior such as compulsive digging and bar-chewing.
What is the best cage for a gerbil?
A gerbilarium (made of glass) is the recommended cage for keeping pet gerbils. As you’ll notice gerbils need to be kept in a fairly large cage. Even larger cages are preferred, especially for small groups of gerbils, to mimic the natural habitat of gerbils.
How many gallons of water should a gerbil cage hold?
A gerbil cage should be at least 20 gallons.
What is a burrowing pet?
A popular choice for burrowing pets is an old tank with a cage topper on it. You can also buy this combination in stores and online. This kind of cage consists of a deep tank part that can be made of glass or plastic. The cage topper is usually made of metal bars and looks similar to the top of a wire cage.
Why is it bad to put a gerbil cage in your bedroom?
Besides that, it’s never a good idea to place a cage in a bedroom because it can lead to the development of allergies.
What is a small aquarium enclosure?
Small pets, like rodents, are usually kept in wire cages that are made from metal and plastic. A less common enclosure for such pets is a vivarium , which is a glass tank. There are different names for a vivarium depending on the animal that is housed within aquarium (for fish) or terrarium (for reptiles. The term vivarium is the generic term for these enclosures.
How big was the glass gerbil city?
The enclosure had a metal floor and was open at the top. Contrary to most captive (laboratory) gerbils they were housed in a very large enclosure with an height of 122 centimeters and a width en length of around 3 meters (exact measurements can be found in the mentioned study). The enclosure was filled with a sandy loam to a depth of 60 centimeters.
What is a wire cage?
A wire or mesh cage has a plastic or metal base that allows for a thin layer of bedding and has a wire mesh top with vertical or horizontal bars. Sometimes the top is made of plastic with only a ventilation grid that has metal bars.
What type of cage should I use for my gerbils?
Despite their size, gerbils do like to have a cage that is roomy enough for them to call their home. So when it comes to the proper size housing, you must have a formula for how much room a single gerbil needs to have.
How much space do you need for a gerbil cage?
You need to add one square foot of space for each gerbil added to a habitat meant for two gerbils. This means that a cage can have a second-floor extension that adds just as much space upstairs as it has downstairs. This will be enough room to house no more than 4 gerbils, yet three gerbils are perfectly fine for this size too.
Where should I place the cage in the house?
Gerbils also have a sleep schedule and need just as much time to be undisturbed so they don’t get nervous. This is why they need a calm and quiet room that they can be placed in. There are a few rules to pick the right place for your gerbil cage:
How often should I take my gerbil out of its cage?
After you finally train your gerbil to be tame, they will enjoy being handled whenever you come into the room. It’s part of their life at this point and this should be done every time you visit their cage. This is why most owners love having them as pocket pets.
What are gerbil hideouts made of?
These hideouts should all be gerbil approved and made from cardboard, ceramic, or natural plant materials. They might like a coconut shell that has an entrance door or a leftover macaroni box with windows. You can’t go wrong with using toilet paper tubes glued together with white glue or sticky paste.
How big of a tank do you need for gerbils?
You need to begin with a tank or cage that is 20 gallons or roughly 12 inches tall, 30 inches long, and 12 inches wide. This is fine for two gerbils to occupy but it doesn’t hurt to give them a larger habitat. This is evidently recommended when you add more gerbils.
Can gerbils poke their head through cage mesh?
If you choose a cage, it would be better to find a cage mesh that doesn’t let them poke their head through. Some habitats can be made from fish tanks, but the top cover must be open mesh for ventilation. This way, gerbils can still get enough air within their habitat.
What do gerbils need in their cage?
It can’t be chewed and is difficult for them to spill. Bedding. Gerbils need a few inches of bedding or substrate on the bottom of the cage. They use the bedding to burrow, dig, and build nests.
What do you need for a gerbil cage?
Cage Supplies. A gerbil’s cage needs to be filled with all the items necessary to keep him happy, healthy, and entertained. Sources of food and water, places to sleep, and toys are all required for your pet’s happiness. Water Bottle. Gerbils don’t need a lot of water but they do need a steady source of water.
Why do gerbils chew cardboard?
Gerbils chew a lot and cardboard gives them something to chew on. Chewing is necessary for gerbils to prevent their teeth from over growing. The easiest way to supply your pets with cardboard is to use leftover paper towel and toilet paper rolls.
How big should a gerbil cage be?
The number of ways to create exciting areas for your gerbils to explore is almost limitless. For two gerbils, a 10″ x 20″ cage or tank is a good size, but bigger is always better when it comes to your pets’ home. The larger their habitat, the more places they will have to play and explore, making them happier pets.
What is the best way to keep a gerbil?
Cage & Habitat. A gerbil needs a proper home where he is safe, secure, and happy. The home needs places for your pet to sleep, eat, play, and run around. Gerbils are chewers so the cage needs to be secure enough to prevent an accidental escape. Your pet’s home should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from drafty areas.
What to put in a cage to make it cozy?
Placing some unscented toilet paper in the cage for use as nesting material will also help them create a cozy place to sleep. Enrichment. Enrichment is all the toys and accessories in the cage that make it a perfect home.
What do gerbils like to do?
Gerbils love to play, burrow, climb, and explore so tunnels, tubes, branches, ramps and an exercise wheel make exciting additions to their cage. Getting a variety of toys and exchanging some out each week will keep their home fun and exciting. Cleaning.
What To Look For In Cages For Gerbils?
When shopping for a gerbil cage, be sure to consider all of your gerbil’s needs including ample space to run, plenty of depth for bedding, and construction and materials that are safe for gerbils.
How big should a gerbil cage be?
Here Are Some Important Things To Look For In Gerbil Cages: Ample size for the number of gerbils. A pair of gerbils needs at least 12x24x12 inches of space, but more is always better. Many gerbil owners prefer glass aquariums with mesh tops because they provide ample space and depth with adequate security.
What do gerbils need?
Accessories and toys. On top of providing your gerbil with a spacious cage, you also need to know what to put in it. Your gerbil will need a nesting box in which to sleep, an exercise wheel to keep it active, and a variety of toys to play with.
Can you decorate a gerbil cage?
Completely compatible with all CritterTrail accessories, this cage allows you to add pieces and accessories to your gerbil cage such as exercise wheels, shelves, hideaways, and more.
Do you need a ramp for a gerbil cage?
Somewhat pricy for the simple design. Ramp takes up a significant amount of space. You don’t necessarily need a fancy gerbil cage with a ton of levels. All you really need is a sturdy base layer with ample room for bedding and maybe a second layer to add accessories.
Does a gerbil cage come with a lid?
Doesn’t come with a lid or cage topper. Solid glass isn’t as well ventilated as wire mesh cages. One of the most cost-effective options in gerbil cages is a plan 10-gallon or 20-gallon tank. A sturdy glass fish tank provides ample depth for bedding and you don’t have to worry about your gerbil getting stuck between bars.
Can you keep a gerbil in a 10 gallon tank?
Many gerbil owners choose to keep their gerbils in 10-gallon fish tanks. This is a very cost-effective option but it may not provide enough space for a pair of gerbils. This Kaytee My First Home Tank Topper is an easy solution to add extra space to your gerbil cage. It turns any 10-gallon tank into a multi-level high-rise for your pet and it comes with ramps, shelves, and other accessories.
What is a quater gerbil cage?
A Qute gerbil cage provides the ideal space for your pets. When you bring your new pets home, it’s a good idea to buy some of the food that they’ve been eating for the last few weeks. You can then gradually introduce their new food rather than swapping it to a novel one suddenly.
How to keep gerbils clean?
It’s best to have some equipment on-hand for the first few weeks of gerbil ownership - a small, wide-toothed brush for occasionally combing your pets’ fur, and human nail clippers are good places to start. You may also want some scales for monitoring your pets’ health, as well as a sand bath to allow your pets to clean themselves. For more information on helping your pets stay clean, visit our Gerbil Hygiene section.
What to do with a gerbil's teeth?
Gnaws and chews are perfect toys. Gerbils’ teeth grow constantly throughout their lives, and those in captivity often need a bit of help grinding their teeth down a comfortable size. Some non-toxic wood fits the bill, helping your pets wear their teeth down. It may even save you money in the long run, as gerbils with overgrown teeth may require veterinary treatment.
Do gerbils have tunnels?
Gerbils are fantastic tunnellers. In the wild their burrows help them survive the fluctuating temperatures of desert environments, and offer protection from predators too. They need to mimic this behavior in captivity, otherwise they become very unhappy. If you provide lots of the right kind of deep bedding, the animals will be able to satisfy their natural instinct to create tunnels and dens.
Do gerbils need a house?
Your gerbils need a secure, quiet place to live – a space to call their own. There are lots of different enclosures available, but whichever you choose, it will need to be large enough for your gerbils to run around and satisfy their burrowing instincts. For more advice on choosing a gerbil house, have a read of our Gerbil Cages section.
