The minimum recommended tank size for a pair of Gerbils is 100cm x 40cm x 40cm, but the bigger the better.​ Gerbils must be kept indoors.​ They are very sociable animals and should always be kept in pairs or small groups.

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Gerbils should be housed in glass tanks. Hamster cages, plastic cages and Gerbilariums with wire flooring, are all unsuitable.

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Gerbils need a large tank with a minimum of 25cm / 10 inches of substrate to allow them to fulfil their natural instincts for burrowing. Recommended tanks include the Ikea Detolf, Skyline Falco, Skyline Marrakesh, Jungle Pets Gerbilariums, Diversa Tanks or DIY adapted aquariums with a topper.

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See Gerbil Housing: Which Gerbilarium, Gerbil Cage or Gerbil Tank? Reviewed – Gerbil Care for more information.

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Click here to download our PDF all about IKEA Detolf Setups

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Enrichment

Scattering additional food and forage mixes into your Gerbils' tank will further encourage natural foraging and provide more enrichment.

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Gerbils will appreciate a solid wooden or metal wheel, 28cm+ in size. They need wooden chew items to keep their teeth worn down and love chewing cardboard and grassy toys. They need regular daily free-roam time. Never use Exercise Balls as they disorientate and stress animals.​

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Gerbils require Bathing Sand (not dust) in a dish (approx. 20cm x 15cm like a kitchen pyrex dish) and a few inches deep to keep their fur clean and healthy. 

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Refer to Enrichment, Wheels & Sandbaths – Gerbil Care and Gerbils – Free roaming & exercise – Gerbil Care for more information.

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Bedding

Gerbils must be able to fulfil their natural instincts to burrow, so need at least 25cm deep of dust extracted, or paper/hemp-based substrate eg Finacard, Auboise, Megazorb etc mixed with Timothy Hay and shredded paper to bind their tunnels. Sawdust and wood shavings are not suitable for Gerbils as they can cause skin irritations and respiratory issues.​

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You can use unbleached, plastic free toilet paper sheets, like Naked Sprout, so Gerbils can collect, shred and make their own nesting and bedding material. IMPORTANT: When cleaning a Gerbil tank, replace 25% of the old substrate to keep a familiar scent.

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Refer to Substrate, bedding & nest boxes – Gerbil Care for more information.

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Company

Gerbils should never be kept alone, and should always live in pairs, or small groups of up to 3 or 4. When introducing Gerbils, always use the split cage method. Do not introduce more than two adult (over 8 weeks) Gerbils at any one time, unless very experienced.

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 For complete Gerbil care information refer to www.gerbilcare.co.uk

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Refer to Bonding & Split Cage – Gerbil Care and Company – Gerbil Care for more information.