Gerbils as Pets
Tiny paws, big curiosity. Gerbils are among the most entertaining small pets — social, active during the day, and endlessly fascinating to watch. Here's everything you need: housing, diet, social needs, costs, and where to buy them.
📋 Quick Facts
🏠 Housing
- Glass tank (20 gallons minimum for a pair): Gerbils are expert chewers and diggers — wire cages result in kicked-out bedding and escape.
- Deep bedding (15–20 cm / 6–8 inches): Burrowing is their #1 instinct. Aspen shavings mixed with hay and shredded paper. NEVER use cedar or pine — aromatic oils cause respiratory problems.
- Solid exercise wheel (20+ cm): No wire wheels — they catch tails and cause injuries.
- Chew toys: Untreated wood, cardboard tubes, loofah — their teeth grow continuously and need to be worn down.
🍽️ Diet
Gerbils are grain-eating omnivores from the Mongolian steppe. Staple: gerbil-specific food mix (seed + pellet mix). Supplements: fresh vegetables (carrot, broccoli), occasional mealworms, timothy hay. Fresh water via sipper bottle changed daily. Never feed: citrus fruits, onions, garlic, chocolate, or sugary treats.
🐹 Social Needs: The #1 Rule
Gerbils MUST be kept in same-sex pairs or small groups. In the wild, they live in extended family colonies. A solitary gerbil becomes depressed, lethargic, and may self-mutilate. Introduce pairs young (littermates are ideal). ⚠️ Never introduce unfamiliar adult gerbils — they will fight to the death. Unlike hamsters, gerbils are active during the day (diurnal/crepuscular), so you'll actually see them awake and playing.
💰 Where to Buy & Cost
- PetSmart / Petco: $10–$20 per gerbil. Widely available but check health (clear eyes, active behavior, clean bottom).
- Breeders: $15–$40 per gerbil. Healthier stock, better socialization, rare color varieties.
- Initial setup: 20-gallon tank ($30–$50), wheel ($10–$20), bedding ($10/month), food ($10–$15/month). Total first-year: ~$150–$300 for a pair.