Equipment for your Gerbil

Thinking of owning a gerbil? Then check out the Twootz guide to essential items for first-time owners!

Create the ideal home for your gerbil by ensuring you buy everything he needs to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Cage

When purchasing a cage for your gerbil you need to consider the following:

Size

• Choose the largest size you can afford that will fit comfortably into your home


• The minimum cage size for an adult gerbil is 60cm long x 30m wide x 30cm high


• Ensure that the cage is situated in a draught-proof yet well-ventilated spot

Construction

• Remember that gerbils like to chew. Most gerbil cages are constructed from wire and gerbils will spend hours gnawing on the bars of their cage


• A glass aquarium (fish tank) makes a good gerbil home as it will allow a deep layer of bedding to be given (for burrowing purposes) and will prevent your pet from gnawing on cage bars. The minimum aquarium size should be 30 gallons (136 litres)


• The spacing between the bars of the cage should be small enough (around eight millimetres) to prevent your gerbil from escaping


• Ensure that your gerbil’s cage is free from dangerous protrusions that may cause him injury

Feeding

Your gerbil will require the following feeding accessories:

Twootz provides a Small Animal fruity mix which is an ideal food your gerbil, it promotes health and well being and contains important vitamins and minerals essential for promoting good health.

• A heavy earthenware or metal bowl to prevent him from tipping it over


• A gravity-feed water bottle to prevent contamination


• A bottle-brush to clean out his water bottle

Bedding

Suitable bedding materials include:

• Wood shavings – ensure they are derived from untreated softwood (e.g. pine), as is usually sold in pet stores, otherwise your pet may suffer from respiratory ailments and allergic reactions


• Hay – only use clean, fresh hay and remember to offer an additional daily source for eating


• Shredded paper – ensure that it is free from ink in case your gerbil chews it


• Prepared small animal bedding as is available from pet stores

Avoid sawdust as the fine particles may irritate your gerbil's eyes and respiratory tract.

Toys and treats

• Although gerbils are nocturnal, they will enjoy being offered toys and treats to play with during their waking hours


• Move them regularly around his cage to prevent him from becoming bored


• Remember that treats should be given in moderation to prevent obesity and selective feeding

Suitable toys include:

• Tubes – used cardboard toilet roll tubes make excellent chew and play toys


• Terracotta flowerpots – avoid plastic ones as these are chewable


• Deciduous tree branches – gerbils particularly enjoy apple tree branches


• Exercise wheels – ensure these are of solid design to prevent his tail from becoming trapped and injured


• Boxes – cut out holes in them to provide hiding and nesting places for your pet


• Gerbils are especially fond of cardboard boxes as they enjoy shredding this material

Suitable occasional treats include:

• Fresh and dried fruit and vegetables – hang them in your pet’s cage to make him work for his treat


• Stickle treats – available in a wide range of flavours and recipes from pet shops


• Baked wholemeal bread and dog biscuits – good for chewing, therefore they help to maintain dental health

Grooming

• Gerbils rarely require additional grooming from humans as they are fastidious at keeping their coats neat and tidy. However, some gerbils enjoy being groomed if accustomed to it at an early age


• A soft-textured toothbrush makes an ideal gerbil-sized grooming brush