Pet Care

Print Version

Gerbils:

Gerbils show periods of activity throughout the day and night. Gerbils are very easy to keep clean and look after and a very friendly and full of curiosity. Gerbils hop on their hind legs and feed with their front limbs, much like squirrels. Gerbils will provide a continuous source of amusement and entertaiment. Gerbils like the company of their own kind and if same sex pairs are introduced to each other early enough, good friendships will be established. When older, Gerbils will invariably attack new acquaintances, so that later introductions have to be made with great care. Gerbils live up to three years.

Housing and Bedding

A large glass aquarium makes an ideal home, far better than any bought metal cage. You will need to have a wire mesh cover for this. Large quantities of floor litter are essential. Use a mixture of straw, sand , sawdust and peatmoss to give a consistency thats good for burrowing. At one side of the habitat have the depth of this mixture to be about 7cms and the other side to be 20cms. Also have a cardboard tube as a tunnel for your pet. A gerbil will also make great use of a small tree branch for gnawing. Place the habitat in a draught free location not in the dark or direct sunlight. A temperature of 20-24 celsius is ideal. Always avoid excessive heat. Habitats only need cleaning once every 3 weeks but need to be washed out thoroughly and replace all the materials.

Feeding

Gerbils in the wild are grain eaters. A diet thats a mixture of sunflower and canary seeds, grains of oats, barley and maize mixed with a pelleted feed is best for a gerbil. One tablespoon of food per day is enough for a gerbil. You may also give it small amounts of vegetables such as grass, cabbage, lettuce and carrots. Provide fresh water daily from an inverted bottle with metal canula.

Handling

Taming should begin at an early age to ensure hand tameness. Approach gerbils slowly without chasing them about their cage. They may be lifted by closing one hand gently over the back, the neck lying between the thumb and first finger or cupped gently in both hands with the head facing towards you. Never lift gerbils by the tail. Also remember that over-handling can lead to exhaustion.

Health

Gerbils normally remain very healthy and lively throughout their lives. A healthy gerbil is always active, has a sleek coat, bright eyes and is always curious about activity around it. Gerbils do suffer from sore eyes and noses, but as with all suspected cases of illness, seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.