Caring for Your Gerbil
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Life expectancy: 2-4 years
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Omnivore
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Community oriented
Gerbils are very good natured, clean, and quiet, making them an extremely good first pet. The domestic gerbil originates from the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. They have adapted beautifully to living in such harsh, drastic conditions – and they do it together! Living as a community is how they survive in the wild.
Introducing Multiples
In their natural setting, gerbils thrive living in communal groups. If you are adding a new gerbil to an existing community, the Split Cage Method can be utilized for a successful transition. Do this by splitting the enclosure into two using a mesh so that they can see and smell each other without contact. Alternatively place the gerbils in two wired cages beside each other. Swap the gerbils between each side 1-2x daily for 3-7 days, then carefully observe them for aggressive behaviours.
Handling
Gerbils can move very quickly. Scoop their body with one hand and gently grasp the base of the gerbil’s tail with other hand. This provides extra security in case the gerbil chooses to flee. Do not hold by the tail, as their tails are fragile and fractures can occur. If a child is interacting with the gerbil, it is best to place the gerbil in a container for ease of handling.
Our pet counsellors are small animal lovers; because they are, they hold and play with all the small animals in our store. Our guests also play a big part in our small animal’s social skills. This is why Petland’s small animals are quick to bond with their new owner.
To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your gerbil, Petland recommends the following necessary and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s 4 Basic Needs: Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When you meet these needs and provide a loving environment, your gerbil can live a long and happy life.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Enclosure – An aquarium with a snug-fitting screen lid is an excellent choice to accommodate the gerbil’s elaborate tunneling abilities. Ensure there is enough space to run, sleep, and tunnel. Do not underestimate your potential escapee!
Nesting Material – This material is specifically made for gerbils, mice, hamsters, rats, and degus. One package goes a long way in giving your new pet soft bedding that they can form into a cozy bed.
Hiding Place – Every animal needs a space to call their own. A hiding place reduces stress and provides security. Choose a gerbil-safe home made of ceramic, wicker, or wood. Avoid items like tissue boxes or toilet paper rolls, which can pose health risks.
BEHAVIOURAL
Chew Blocks – Your gerbil’s teeth will grow throughout their life. Give them a variety of chewing aids to keep their teeth trimmed. A branch from outside may not be safe, nor will a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Small animal chews are generally made from balsa wood, which is hard enough to gnaw on, but soft enough not to splinter or cut.
Exercise Wheel – Just like us, gerbils need exercise to stay healthy and trim. As any gerbil owner can tell you, the wheel is used for your little one’s instinctual need to run, run, run!
Exercise Ball – An exercise ball can be a fun and safe way for your gerbil to gain a little more freedom while staying in shape. Remember to keep their ball far away from stairs to prevent an accident! A ball should never replace an exercise wheel.
Tunnels and Tubes – Your gerbils will love to burrow and run about in a maze of tunnels and tubes! In order to provide them with mental stimulation and exercise, they require an assortment of tunnels and tubes to play and explore in.
NUTRITIONAL
When choosing what food to purchase for your new pet, keep in mind that small animals often get diarrhea when new foods are introduced too quickly or during stressful events like adoption. Stick to familiar foods, including the same pellet brand, to support digestion. When adding new items, especially fresh foods, introduce them one at a time and watch for changes in behavior, appetite, or stool.
Gerbil Pellets – Pellets are formulated to contain a correct balance of all the essential nutrients that your gerbil needs each day. Follow the recommended guidelines on the bag of food to know how much should be offered daily.
Adding a teaspoon of gerbil food mix to the pellets can add an enrichment experience, although gerbils have a habit of selecting the more tempting, fattening morsels, and leaving the healthy pellets behind.
Grass Hay – Grass hay stimulates natural foraging behaviours to help in the prevention of obesity. Hay is an excellent source of nesting material. The bonus is that they also love to eat it! All grass hays, timothy, orchard, oat, and botanical (timothy with herbs), are nutritionally similar, differing mainly in taste and texture. Gerbils especially enjoy oat hay, which often contains immature seed heads.
Treats – Only offer ½ tsp of treats daily. Treats encourage interaction between you and your pet, and build a bond between you.
Fresh Foods – These foods are considered treats for gerbils rather than a staple in your pet’s diet. Great options include romaine, kale, green leaf lettuce, bell peppers, carrots, parsley, and pea pods. Large amounts of green foods should be avoided, since they are difficult to digest and can cause health concerns.
Moss Hollow Adapt – Using Moss Hollow Adapt, while minimizing stress, can help your new pet adapt to their new home by promoting relaxation from stress caused by the environment (Echinacea), offering a prebiotic for building gut flora (Burdock Root), easing diarrhea (Psyllium Husk), increasing palatability (Wheatgrass), providing a natural dewormer (Diatomaceous Earth), and nutrient-rich clay (Bentonite). This veterinary health product uses natural ingredients which can aid all small animals before symptoms emerge.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplement – In the wild, animals can choose the foods their bodies require. Even if you give your pet a variety of foods, you may not be providing them with certain vitamins and minerals that they need. Add the supplement to the drinking water or food according to packaging directions.
Mineral and Salt Stone – Your gerbil needs a mineral and salt stone available at all times. Salt will encourage them to drink enough water, and the water aids in digestion.
MAINTENANCE
Water Bottle – Choosing a water bottle helps to keep their water clean and to conserve any liquid vitamins. Fresh water must be available at all times and replaced daily. As your gerbil is likely housed in an aquarium, a bottle holder will be required.
Keep water bottles clean to prevent bacteria and sediment buildup from supplements. Use a bottle brush with dish soap and water to clean both the bottle and the inside of the stainless-steel drinking tube.
Ceramic Dishes – Ceramic dishes are easy to clean and cannot be chewed. You will need two: one for pellets and one for treats like fresh foods.
Substrate – Aspen shavings or paper-based bedding is recommended for your gerbil, as substrates like pine or cedar can negatively affect your gerbil’s sensitive respiratory system. Use a litter scoop to spot clean the cage regularly.
Cage Cleaner – Use a pet-safe cleaner, ideally one that is enzyme-based to break down stains and odours. Clean the cage weekly with the cleaner or hot water and mild soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid bleach and other household cleaners, as they can irritate your pet’s respiratory system or cause even worse problems.
Dust Bath Powder – Gerbils need regular dust baths to remove excess natural oils from their fur. They don’t bathe in water, but in finely ground sand. Approximately two tablespoons of dust bath powder should be added to a shallow dish for 5–10 minutes at a time.
Cleanliness and Safety
All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Young children, infants, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their environments. Regular cleaning of your pet’s environment with a pet safe cleaner may help avoid the spread of contaminants.
Hygiene procedures such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet and/or after having any contact with their habitat, is a necessary routine. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets.
CHECKLIST
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Enclosure
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Nesting material
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Hiding place
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Chew blocks
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Exercise wheel
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Exercise ball
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Tunnels and tubes
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Pellets
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Hay
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Treats
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Moss Hollow Adapt
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Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
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Mineral and salt stone
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Water bottle
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Water bottle holder
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Bottle brush
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Ceramic dishes
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Substrate
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Litter scoop
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Cage cleaner
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Dust bath powder and shallow dish