Gerbils as Pets – The Little Furry Adventurers

If you’re looking for a small, energetic, and easy-to-care-for pet, gerbils might just be the perfect choice! These furry little critters are known for their social nature, quirky habits, and low-maintenance care requirements. Let’s dive into the world of gerbils and see what makes them such great pets.

What They Do – Active, Social, and Always Busy!

Gerbils are incredibly active animals. These small rodents love to dig, chew, and explore their surroundings. They’re especially famous for their digging behavior—it’s natural for them since they originally come from desert environments where burrowing helps them survive. You’ll often find them rearranging bedding, making tunnels, and even chewing on cardboard tubes or toys.

Gerbils are social animals, and it’s recommended to keep them in pairs or small groups. They communicate with each other using high-pitched squeaks and body language, and their social interactions can be really entertaining to watch. They bond well with other gerbils and even develop strong relationships with humans once they trust you.

Sleeping Habits – More Daytime Action Than You Think

Unlike hamsters, which are nocturnal, gerbils are crepuscular—which means they’re most active during dawn and dusk. They do sleep during the day, but they also wake up for short bursts of activity, giving you plenty of opportunities to interact with them without disturbing their sleep too much.

A gerbil’s sleep cycle is pretty interesting. They usually take short naps throughout the day and night, rather than one long sleep. You’ll notice them running around their cage, playing, then suddenly napping for a few minutes before they’re back at it again. Their active and curious nature makes them fun to watch at any time of the day!

Feeding – A Simple but Balanced Diet

Gerbils don’t have complicated dietary needs. Their main food source should be a mix of specially formulated gerbil food pellets, which contain all the necessary nutrients. However, you can give them some variety with small amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Some safe options include apples (without seeds), carrots, cucumbers, and sunflower seeds (as a treat).

Water is also crucial. Make sure your gerbils always have access to fresh water, ideally through a water bottle that attaches to the side of their cage—gerbils can easily knock over bowls, and that can make their bedding soggy.

Fun Fact – Gerbils are Dust Bath Lovers!

Unlike many pets, gerbils don’t like getting wet. Instead of a traditional bath, they clean themselves by rolling around in a dust bath! You can provide them with a shallow dish filled with sand or special bathing dust, and they’ll happily roll and clean their fur. It’s both practical and adorable to watch.

Relationship with Humans – Friendly but Independent

Gerbils, while not as cuddly as some other pets, can form strong bonds with their owners. They might not sit in your lap for hours, but with proper handling and patience, they can become quite friendly. They enjoy interacting with humans and will often come over to check you out, especially if you offer them a treat.

However, be gentle when handling them. Sudden movements can startle gerbils, and they might try to jump out of your hands. Always use both hands to create a small “cup” when holding them to prevent accidental drops.

Activity and Play – Full of Energy

Gerbils are like little athletes! They love running, jumping, and playing, which is why it’s important to have an enclosure large enough for them to explore. A multi-level cage or a habitat with tunnels and platforms is ideal. Adding exercise wheels (make sure they have a solid surface to avoid tail injuries) and various chew toys keeps them entertained and healthy.

They’re natural chewers—so having plenty of wooden toys, untreated cardboard, or hay helps keep their teeth in check. Like all rodents, their teeth grow continuously, and chewing helps wear them down.

Interesting Facts About Gerbils

• Longevity – Gerbils typically live 2 to 4 years, but with excellent care, some may live up to 5 years!
• Thumping – When a gerbil is scared or excited, it will thump its hind legs on the ground as a warning to others. It’s a behavior they use in the wild to alert their group of potential danger.
• Memory – Gerbils are quite clever and can remember where they’ve hidden food or recognize their owners after bonding.
• Variety of Colors – While the most common gerbil is the Mongolian gerbil, they come in a variety of colors and patterns, from sandy beige to jet black.
• Clean Pets – Gerbils are naturally clean animals. They rarely smell and spend a good amount of time grooming themselves.

The Perfect Habitat

A proper gerbil habitat should have plenty of space to explore, toys to chew on, and tunnels to burrow in. Many gerbil owners opt for glass tanks because they’re secure, spacious, and prevent bedding from spilling out. Just make sure the tank has good ventilation with a wire mesh top.

Bedding made of aspen shavings, hay, or paper is a good choice, as it’s safe for them to burrow in. Avoid cedar or pine shavings, as they can be harmful to their respiratory system.

Wrapping it Up

Gerbils are fantastic pets for those who want an energetic, fun-loving companion without the high maintenance that some other pets require. They thrive in pairs, enjoy interacting with their humans, and can be endlessly entertaining to watch as they scurry around their habitat.

With their friendly nature, low care needs, and curious personality, gerbils make a great choice for first-time pet owners or anyone looking for a small animal with a big heart!

Further reading: “A Kid’s Guide to Gerbil Care: Learn about Housing, Feeding, Taming, Handling, Toys, Tricks, and Bonding with Your New Pet Gerbil!” (Amazon affiliate link) by Donna Anastasi.