Gerbils as pets: what to know before you get one

Facts about gerbils as pets

The pet gerbil is the Mongolian gerbil, a small burrowing rodent from the dry grasslands of Mongolia and northern China. These are the facts that shape life with one.

• They are diggers first. The RSPCA says wild gerbils dig burrows as deep as 1.7 m (5.5 ft) and stretching 6 to 8 m (20 to 26 ft). In a tank, digging is how they spend most of their time.
• They live in families. Wild groups hold two to fifteen gerbils of all ages, according to the RSPCA. Pet gerbils groom each other, sleep in a heap and share a nest.
• They are awake in the day. Unlike hamsters, gerbils are active in short bursts round the clock, and busiest at dawn and dusk.
• They hardly smell. As desert-edge animals they make very little urine and dry droppings, which the BC SPCA and Oregon Humane Society both point out.
• Their teeth never stop growing. They need things to gnaw every day.
• They have no cheek pouches but still hoard food in their nest, the RSPCA notes.
• They are poor climbers. Fur on the soles of their feet makes them agile on the ground but clumsy on bars and ledges, says the RSPCA.
• They thump. Gerbils drum their back feet when excited or alarmed, as a signal to the rest of the group. Our gerbil behaviour guide explains this and other signals.

For more oddities, from tail length to how they drink, see our gerbil facts page.

How long do gerbils live as pets?

Most pet gerbils live 3 to 4 years. Sources vary: the RSPCA says up to three to four years with some living longer, Wood Green and PetMD say up to 5, and the MSD Veterinary Manual gives 2 to 3. That is a short life compared with a cat or dog, which suits some families and is hard for others. Tumours become more common from about three years, Wood Green notes. Our gerbil lifespan guide covers each life stage and how to help a gerbil live longer.

What are the downsides of having gerbils as pets?

Gerbils are easy day to day, but they are not a low-effort starter pet. Be honest with yourself about these before you buy.

The upsides: why people love gerbils

For the right home, the good points win easily. Gerbils are busy in the daytime, so you see far more of them than a hamster. They are clean and don't smell much. They are fascinating to watch: Wood Green describes them as energetic and fun to see working in their tunnels. Once tame, many will run over your hands, take treats and come to the front of the tank when you walk in. Their daily care is quick, and they don't need vaccinations or walks.

Who do gerbils suit?

Adults and older children who want to watch an active little family, and who have space for a long tank. Gerbil Care UK doesn't recommend gerbils for children under 8. Oregon Humane Society says they can suit families with children 5 and over, with an adult supervising. We'd go with the older age if the child will do the handling, because gerbils are quick and can leap from small hands. Gerbils suit people out at work all day better than many pets, since a pair keeps each other company.

They suit people less if you want a pet to cuddle, have only a small cage's worth of space, or need a quiet bedroom.

How do I care for a gerbil as a beginner?

Get the home right first, then keep the routine simple. Our full gerbil care guide has every detail; this is the short version.

1. Buy the tank first. At least 100 × 50 × 50 cm (39 × 20 × 20 in) for two, glass, with a mesh lid. Our gerbil cage size guide lists sizes that pass.
2. Fill it deep. 25 cm (10 in) of paper bedding, cardboard and hay so they can tunnel.
3. Add the basics. A nest box, a solid 28 to 30 cm (11 to 12 in) wheel, a sand bath, chews and water.
4. Bring home two. Same-sex, from the same litter, young enough to bond, around 5 to 6 weeks old as PetMD suggests, or an adult pair already living together. Rescues often have bonded pairs; see where to get a gerbil.
5. Feed and water daily. Scatter gerbil pellets or mix on the bedding and refill fresh water.
6. Tame slowly. A few minutes a day with a hand in the tank and a treat.

What is good enrichment for gerbils?

Things that let them dig, shred, gnaw and forage, because that is what they would do in the wild. Deep bedding is the single biggest piece of enrichment you can give. After that, the BC SPCA suggests giving cardboard every day: egg boxes, toilet roll tubes, drink holders and tissue boxes are free and get shredded with joy.

• Deep bedding of 25 cm (10 in) to tunnel in
• Fresh cardboard every day
• Scatter-fed food so they forage
• A solid wheel, one per gerbil if possible
• A sand bath to roll in
• Apple, willow or hazel twigs to gnaw
• Hay to carry and build with
• Toilet roll tubes stuffed with hay and a few seeds

Our gerbil enrichment guide has dozens more ideas, many of them free.

How much do gerbils cost?

The gerbils themselves are cheap; the tank is the big cost. A second-hand glass fish tank works well because it never has to hold water, as the BC SPCA points out, which can cut set-up costs sharply. After that you pay for bedding, food, sand, chews and vet care. Our gerbil cost guide breaks it down.