Gerbil Care – 2025 Vet Guide by Dr Duncan Houston 🐾🌼

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Introduction

Gerbils are gentle, social rodents—ideal for families with older children. They’re active, interactive, and entertaining, with minimal odor compared to other rodents. In this 2025 veterinary guide, I cover professional insights on housing, diet, health, handling, and enrichment so your gerbils thrive in your home.

1. Social Life: Why Companionship Matters

Gerbils are highly social and stressed when housed alone. Keep them in bonded pairs or small same-sex groups. Introducing new gerbils should be gradual to promote harmony and avoid aggression.

2. Handling & Bonding

Gerbils can be tamed through careful, positive handling:

• Offer fingers or palm with a treat (like sunflower seed) and let the gerbil climb up.
• Don’t squeeze them—cup your palms gently to prevent falls.
• Avoid grabbing by the tail—this can cause severe degloving injuries.
• Regular, calm handling improves their trust and reduces stress-related behaviors like foot-thumping.

3. Housing & Habitat Setup

Gerbils need deep bedding to satisfy their digging instincts. Ideal housing includes:

• Tank-style cage (20+ gallon): With a wire or mesh lid for ventilation.
• 6–8 inches of absorbent paper bedding: Use recycled paper (e.g., Carefresh) or shredded paper. Avoid wood substrates.
• Two-level enclosures: Add ramps and hideouts for space and ventilation.
• Hideaways: Pots, plastic houses, or tubes for nesting and security.
• Cleaning routine: Scoop daily, full bedding change weekly, sanitize cage and accessories thoroughly.

4. Enrichment Essentials

Gerbils enjoy a variety of stimulating items:

• Solid exercise wheel (not wire) to prevent injuries.
• Tubes, sisal rope climbs, and tunnels for exploration.
• Toilet rolls and cardboard boxes—great for burrowing and hiding.
• Cornstarch baths for fun and hygiene.
• Wood chew toys (e.g., apple branches) and safe rawhide chews.

Rotate toys weekly to maintain interest and stimulation.

5. Balanced Diet for Wellbeing

• Commercial rodent block: As a staple—avoid seed mixes to prevent selective feeding.
• Fresh veggies & fruits: Offer in tiny amounts—safe options include apple, carrot, broccoli, strawberry, parsley, and cucumber.
• Introduce new foods gradually to prevent digestive upset.
• Water: Fresh water daily—bowl or bottle.

Gerbils are small—ensure portion sizes suit their size to maintain ideal weight.

6. Health Monitoring & Lifespan

Gerbils live approximately 3–4 years and are masters at masking illness. Consult a vet early for concerns, as issues often escalate before becoming visible.

7. Common Medical Issues

a. Seizures

Gerbils may experience brief epileptiform seizures triggered by stress, handling, or environmental change. Most are mild and resolve without treatment. Regular gentle handling may reduce their incidence.

b. Nasal Dermatitis ("sore nose")

Color changes around the nose from burrowing oil can irritate skin. Manage by switching bedding, reducing stress, and applying topical antibacterial ointment to affected areas.

c. Tumors & Aging Conditions

Older gerbils may develop benign tumors—in scent glands or ovaries. Regular health check-ups and monitoring for lumps or behavioral changes are recommended.

d. Tail Injuries

Handle gently. Avoid grabbing by the tail—a tap on your hand is a safer rescue method for falls or near-falls.

8. Daily Care Routine

• Morning: Provide fresh bedding, water, and food; quickly monitor gerbil health.
• Midday: Supervised playtime or habitat enrichment.
• Evening: Gentle handling session and safety check.
• Weekly: Full habitat clean, deep bedding change, and toy refresh.

9. 2025 Vet Tips for Happy Gerbils

• Always house in pairs or small groups—never alone.
• Provide a deep, enriched tank-style habitat with hideouts and toys.
• Handle daily with gentleness and treats to build trust.
• Feed a balanced diet—block staples with small veggie treats.
• Monitor for seizures, nose rubbing, tumors, or injuries.
• Consult your veterinarian early for any health changes.
• Rotate toys and bedding to maintain environmental interest.

10. When to Call the Vet

• Seizures lasting over a few minutes or frequent episodes
• Bleeding, respiratory signs, or loss of appetite
• Nasal lesions, hair loss, or bald patches around the nose
• Lumps or bumps appearing on the body
• Escalated biting, aggression, or lethargy

Conclusion

With proper care—social groups, deep habitat, enrichment, gentle handling, balanced diet, and health vigilance—gerbils make affectionate, entertaining pets. By following this 2025 veterinary guidance, your gerbil duo can thrive and bring joy through their natural behavior and companionship. 🐾

Support from Ask A Vet

Need help creating the perfect gerbil environment or spotting early health concerns? Visit AskAVet.com and download the Ask A Vet app for real-time veterinary support. We’re here to guide you in providing the best life for your gerbil friends! 📲

Disclaimer

This guide is informational and not a substitute for direct veterinary care. Contact your veterinarian promptly for any health concerns or emergencies with your gerbil.