How long do gerbils live? Lifespan and life stages

How long do gerbils live as pets?

Most pet gerbils live 3 to 4 years. That is the figure from the RSPCA, Gerbil Care UK and PetSmart's own care notes, and it is the one we'd plan around. Woodgreen says gerbils "can live up to 3 to 5 years", and PetMD says up to 5 with proper care.

The sources don't all agree. The MSD Veterinary Manual gives a shorter typical life of 2 to 3 years. The gap is mostly about care and luck: gerbils from careful breeders or rescues, kept in a big, deep tank with a partner and seen by a vet when something changes, tend to sit at the top of the range. Gerbils kept alone, in small cages or on dusty bedding sit at the bottom.

That is roughly twice as long as a hamster. The RSPCA says hamsters usually live up to two years, which is one reason many families pick gerbils. Our full guide to gerbils as pets weighs up the rest before you commit.

Gerbil life stages, from pup to old age

A gerbil's life moves fast. Here is what each stage looks like and what it means for you.

What is the most common cause of death in gerbils?

No welfare charity publishes a ranked list, so nobody can honestly give you a single answer. What the sources do agree on is the short list of problems that most often end a gerbil's life early, and most of them are either preventable or treatable when caught early.

• Tumours. Woodgreen says they usually appear around 3 to 5 years and can grow quickly, with mammary tumours the most common and most likely to be cancerous. The National Gerbil Society says scent gland tumours, on the belly, are most common in older males and start as a small hard lump. Vets can remove many of them.
• Fight wounds. Woodgreen warns these can be serious or even fatal, and are usually on the face and legs. They are most likely once gerbils mature.
• Serious diarrhoea. The National Gerbil Society describes Tyzzer's disease and other gut infections as very serious: sick gerbils rarely recover and most die within 24 hours, though early antibiotics for the healthy cage mates work well.
• Strokes and inner ear problems. Both are more common in older gerbils. Signs are weakness on one side, a head tilt, circling or loss of balance.
• Heatstroke. The National Gerbil Society says gerbils slow down above about 25°C (77°F), and a sunny room can climb past 40°C (104°F) even when it is 30°C (86°F) outside.

How to help your gerbil live longer

Most of a long life comes down to a few things done well every day. This checklist covers what the RSPCA, Woodgreen and the National Gerbil Society put first.

• A same-sex companion from the start, ideally a littermate
• A glass tank of at least 100 × 50 × 50 cm (39 × 20 × 20 in) for a pair
• Paper and hay bedding 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) deep, never sawdust or pine and cedar shavings
• Gerbil pellets or a good gerbil mix, with few sunflower seeds
• Fresh water every day, from a bottle that you check is flowing
• A room that stays around 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F), out of direct sun
• Safe things to gnaw every day to keep teeth short
• A weekly check of each gerbil for lumps, wounds, weight and teeth
• A vet who sees small mammals, found before you need one

Our guides to gerbil cage size, gerbil bedding, the gerbil diet and gerbil temperature go into each of these in detail.

Signs your gerbil is getting old

An older gerbil slows down. You may see more sleeping, less wheel time, a thinner or scruffier coat and a little weight loss. The National Gerbil Society notes that older gerbils chew less, so their front teeth can overgrow, and weight loss is often the first sign. Check the teeth are short, even and light yellow.

1. Make the tank easier. Lower high platforms and ramps, and keep food, water and the sand bath where an older gerbil can reach them without climbing.
2. Watch the weight. Look at your gerbil from above once a week. A pinched waist or a bony spine means a vet visit, often for teeth.
3. Get teeth trimmed if they overgrow. The National Gerbil Society says a vet can trim overgrown teeth painlessly. Keep scattering food and gnaw items so they keep chewing, and see our list of what gerbils can eat for safe extras.
4. Keep it warm and calm. Older gerbils feel the cold and stress more. Keep the room steady and avoid moving the tank.
5. Check lumps monthly. Feel gently along the belly and sides when you handle them. The belly scent gland is normal, but any change in its size needs a vet.

When an older gerbil is clearly in pain, stops eating or cannot move about, talk to your vet about whether it is time to let them go. It is the last kind thing you can do, and a good vet will help you decide gently.

Can gerbils live alone after one dies?

They can, but it is not ideal. The RSPCA says gerbils "should never be kept on their own" and that established adults are unlikely to accept a newcomer, except youngsters under five weeks old. That leaves the survivor of a pair on their own, and many owners worry about it.

You have two good options. The first is to find a new companion through a rescue. Gerbil Care UK describes single rescue gerbils that went on to bond with new partners, including one female who bonded after several failed matches, and a neutered male who spent his retirement with a female. This is done slowly with a split tank, and our guide to gerbil pairs, clans and split cages explains how. The second, often the kinder choice for a gerbil over two or three, is to keep them alone and give them more of you: a daily handling session, new things to dig through and plenty of cardboard to shred.

Are gerbils friendlier than hamsters?

Many owners find gerbils easier to enjoy. The RSPCA calls hamsters nocturnal, while gerbils are awake in bursts day and night and busiest at dawn and dusk, according to PetMD. So you see far more of a gerbil. Gerbils also live together: Syrian hamsters, by contrast, must live alone.

Neither is a cuddly pet. Woodgreen says gerbils are not keen on being handled and suit families happy to watch rather than hold. Patient taming does work, and our guide on how to tame a gerbil shows how.

What do gerbils need in their cage?

A long life starts with the right home. Gerbils need a glass tank rather than a barred cage, deep bedding to tunnel in, a nest box, a solid wheel of at least 28 cm (11 in), a sand bath, a water bottle and things to chew. Our complete gerbil care guide has the full shopping list and a step-by-step set-up.