Don’t get a gerbil from a pet shop. Gerbils are more gregarious than hamsters. First do research which type of Great Gerbil pet will suit for you, or What do I need to know before getting a gerbil? for your home because Gerbils need friends, so get at least two. Brothers from the same family are good as they get along well. Provide TONS of chew toys and Lots of different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures because they’ll chew it all. Therefore Gerbil teeth keep growing, so they need something to chew on all the time. Give them cardboard, wood, or nuts in shells.
A glass tank is the best home for them. Glass is simple to clean, and they can’t push bedding out like in a wire cage.
Wear old clothes when you play with them outside the tank. They can make holes in your clothes very fast.
how hard is it to take care of a gerbil.
As I understand it, gerbils are pretty similar to hamsters. The main difference is that gerbils live in groups and have a more flexible sleep schedule than hamsters.
Although they are quite different from hamsters, gerbils are easy to care for. They need some chew toys. I know they will seem shy at first, and it will take time to gain their trust and help them feel comfortable around you. However, since owning a gerbil typically, I want to ensure that you will enjoy that time, with both yourself and for your future gerbils.
They are incredibly cute, and everything they do makes you smile or laugh. They are nocturnal, so they are most active at night. They don’t like being touched or petted, but that doesn’t ruin having them for me. They are not toys; they are family.
They are very affectionate and loving, even if they don’t enjoy physical touch. They paw at the glass when they are excited to see you and love watching you. They will eat from your hand, and feeling their tiny feet in your hand is the best sensation. Their little whiskers tickle as they sniff your hand. It will make your heart soar.
Just watching them run on their wheels and dig is cute and entertaining. I’m pretty sure their brains work at top speed; they move from one thing to the next, like someone with ADHD. You won’t get bored. You won’t regret it.
The only downside is cleaning out the habitat, but putting it back together is a lot of fun! You will love creating their underground mansion with rooms and tunnels, plus adding new toys for them!
What are the cons of owning a gerbil?
Owning the Great Gerbil pet is not easy task because, They eat it all, really all of it literally anything. Don’t put any plastic near them, they’ll try to eat that too. If you can, put the wheel and water up high, away from the bedding. If not, they’ll mess it up all the time. They’re very active little guys.
They need a lot of bedding, things to chew on, and stuff to keep them busy so they don’t get bored. They like to make tunnels and tear up stuff to use as bedding. If they run out of things to do, they start acting stressed. You might see them biting the bars, digging too much at their cage’s edge, cleaning themselves a lot, climbing the bars all the time, and biting stuff they shouldn’t, like hard plastic, metal, or glass. It’s sad to watch.
What are the pros of owning a gerbil?
Gerbils are very interesting to watch if you give them everything they need. They are cute and friendly. They are fascinating to interact with them. They are active during the day, so you can observe and engage with them more. They are playful and funny. It’s nice to have a pair of them. They are interesting creatures with a lot of personality. They are healthy and hardy. They are smart and can be trained to take sand baths. They are not prone to biting.
So I think this above data might solve your perspective about the Great Gerbil pet.
Is a gerbil a good first pet?
If you want to avoid the difficulties of declanning(In gerbils, this refers to the breakdown of an established social group. This often happens because of fighting and aggression), you could consider getting mice or a single hamster. You are correct that bonding with gerbils can be more complicated than with other rodents.
I’d recommend making your own topper if you want one, as they are often overpriced regardless of size. Pairs are the best option, but trios can work too. I’ve heard that male gerbils are more sociable than females. Avoid buying live animals from a chain pet store; instead, look for breeders or pairs available for adoption in your area. However, it’s fine to go to a store as a last resort.
How to pick up a gerbil pet.Â
Place a treat in the cage near you, or hold it in your fingers for them.
Once they reliably approach and take the treat, move it to the end of your fingers, then to the middle of your palm. Next, hold it in a second hand next to the first, but slightly raised. Then, raise that hand out of the cage while they sit and eat.
When they are reaching for treats and letting you lift them as they eat, start placing the treats on your second hand. Show them the treats, then pick them up and transfer them to the hand with the treats using the hand in the cage.
Eventually, they will just come and sit on you hands when they want treats.
FAQ: What do I need to know before getting a gerbil?
Any tips for a first time owner?Â
Start with a tank that holds over 40 gallons, provide deep bedding, and keep same-sex pairs. Use DIY toys like cardboard and toilet paper rolls, and include a sand bath. Handle them gently. They are quick!
What is the best type of gerbil to get?
The most common type, Mongolian gerbils, are social, lively, and easy to find. For beginners, avoid aggressive or rare species like fat-tailed gerbils.
Do male or female gerbils make better pets?
While females are more lively and may argue, males are more relaxed. If you keep them in pairs, both make great pets!
What is the most common gerbil pet?
Most pet stores sell Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). These animals are social and affordable.
Which gerbil lives the longest?
5 to 8 year old fat-tailed gerbils are harder to find. With proper care, Mongolian gerbils can live for three to five years.
