“Gerbils should live in same-sex pairs in a large glass tank, ideally 20 gallons or more, with 6 to 10 inches of bedding for burrowing, a sand bath, chews, and a quality gerbil food with small amounts of fresh vegetables. They are active during the day and live about 2 to 4 years.”
Gerbils are one of the easiest and most entertaining pet rodents. They come from the dry grasslands and deserts of Mongolia and northern China, which makes them tidy, low-odor pets that drink little and produce very little waste. Give them deep bedding and they’ll engineer tunnel systems you can watch through the glass. Here’s how to give your gerbils everything they need.
Gerbil Quick Facts
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) |
| Adult weight | About 2 to 4 ounces |
| Length | About 4 to 5 inches plus a furred tail of similar length |
| Lifespan | 2 to 4 years |
| Social needs | Same-sex pairs or small groups |
| Active times | Day and night in short bursts |
| Legal note | Illegal to own in California and Hawaii |
Gerbils Need a Buddy
Wild gerbils live in family groups, and pet gerbils are happiest with at least one companion. The easiest setup is two littermates of the same sex, ideally adopted together when young. Adult gerbils can be very territorial toward strangers, so introductions need care. If you need to pair gerbils, follow the split-cage method in our guide on how to introduce two rodents.
Housing: Why Tanks Beat Cages
Gerbils dig constantly and kick bedding everywhere. A glass tank holds deep bedding and keeps the mess contained. Wire cages with shallow bases can also lead to bar chewing and stress.
- Size: a 20-gallon long tank is a common minimum for a pair; bigger is better.
- Lid: a secure mesh lid for ventilation.
- Bedding depth: 6 to 10 inches, deeper in at least part of the tank.
- Avoid: plastic tubes and plastic hides that gerbils will chew and swallow.
Our detailed gerbil tank setup guide shows how to lay out a tank that supports stable burrows.
Bedding and Burrows
Use paper bedding or aspen shavings, mixed with hay and some cardboard to help tunnels hold their shape. Avoid cedar and pine, which can irritate the lungs, and skip fluffy cotton nesting fibers. Our bedding comparison covers the options.
Sand Baths
Gerbils clean their fur by rolling in sand. Offer a heavy dish of chinchilla sand (not dust, which is too fine) a few times a week or keep it in the tank permanently. Never bathe gerbils in water.
Wheels and Enrichment
A solid-surface wheel at least 8 inches across gives gerbils a way to burn energy. Avoid wheels with rungs, which can trap their tails and feet. Gerbils love chewing and shredding, so provide:
- Cardboard tubes, egg cartons, and boxes
- Untreated wood chews
- Ceramic or wooden hides
- Hay and forage mixes scattered in the bedding
See enrichment toys by rodent type for more ideas.
What to Feed Gerbils
A quality gerbil food, either a lab block or a varied seed and pellet mix, should form the base. A typical adult eats about a tablespoon a day. Add:
- Vegetables: small pieces of carrot, broccoli, cucumber, or bell pepper a few times a week.
- Protein: occasional mealworms or a bit of cooked egg.
- Treats: sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in small amounts, since they’re fatty.
Avoid onion, garlic, chocolate, sugary snacks, and citrus. Many keepers also avoid grapes and raisins. Always provide fresh water, even though gerbils drink little.
Handling Gerbils
Gerbils are curious and rarely bite, but they’re quick. Let them sniff your hand and climb on voluntarily, and scoop them with both hands. Hold them low over a soft surface. Never pick up a gerbil by the tail tip; the skin can slip off, a painful injury called degloving. Gerbils suit people who enjoy watching as much as holding. Learn more in our guide to hamster vs gerbil vs mouse.
Gerbil Behavior
- Foot thumping: a warning signal to the group, or excitement.
- Digging and tunneling: normal and healthy.
- Chewing everything: keeps teeth worn down.
- Grooming each other: a sign of a strong bond.
- Constant corner digging at the glass: can signal boredom or too little bedding.
Read more about how rodents communicate.
Cleaning
Gerbils produce little waste, so their tanks stay fresh for a long time. Spot clean soiled areas and remove old fresh food every few days, and do a partial bedding change every few weeks. Full clean-outs destroy burrows and can cause stress, so change only part of the bedding at a time.
Health Issues
- Seizures: some gerbils have brief seizures when startled. They usually recover on their own; keep the environment calm.
- Tail injuries: from rough handling or fighting.
- Overgrown teeth: prevented by plenty of chews.
- Respiratory infections: often linked to dusty bedding.
- Scent gland tumors: gerbils have a scent gland on the belly that can develop growths in older age.
- Fighting: pairs sometimes fall out and must be separated.
See signs your rodent is sick for general warning signs.
How Much Gerbils Cost
Gerbils cost little to buy, and their food and bedding last a long time. The biggest expense is a good tank and accessories, typically $100 to $250. They’re one of the most affordable pet rodents, which we cover in low-maintenance pet rodents.
Where Gerbils Come From
Mongolian gerbils live wild on the dry steppes of Mongolia and northern China, where summers are hot, winters are bitterly cold, and water is scarce. They survive by living in extended family groups in deep burrow systems, storing seeds for winter, and conserving water. Pet gerbils were first bred in large numbers for research in the mid-20th century and quickly became popular pets. Knowing their wild life helps explain their love of digging, their tidy habits, and their need for company.
Gerbils vs Hamsters
Gerbils and hamsters are often sold side by side, but they’re quite different. Gerbils are social and active during the day; Syrian hamsters are solitary and nocturnal. Gerbils have long furred tails and slender bodies; hamsters have stubby tails and rounder bodies. If you want a pair of pets you can watch in daylight, gerbils are the better fit. See hamster vs gerbil vs mouse for a full comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do gerbils smell?
Very little. Their desert origins mean they produce small amounts of concentrated urine.
Can gerbils live alone?
They can, but most do better with a same-sex companion.
Why are gerbils illegal in California?
California restricts them because of concerns that escaped gerbils could establish wild populations and harm crops and native wildlife.
Are gerbils good for kids?
They suit older kids who enjoy watching more than holding. See best rodents for kids.