Gerbils are small, curious and endlessly busy little desert rodents that make surprisingly engaging pets. Native to the arid plains of Mongolia, they are built to dig, forage and stay active through much of the day, which makes them more watchable than many small pets and less strictly nocturnal than hamsters. Clean, nearly odourless and sociable, gerbils are a lovely choice, as long as you understand two key things: they must not live alone, and they need to dig.
This guide covers what gerbils genuinely need, from company and burrowing to diet and health.
Gerbils Must Not Live Alone
This is the most important welfare point. Gerbils are highly social and become stressed and unhappy kept singly, so they should always be kept in same sex pairs or small groups, ideally from a young age or as established companions. A lone gerbil is a lonely gerbil. Our guide on whether gerbils can live alone explains why company is essential. They communicate in charming ways, including drumming their back feet, and our piece on why a gerbil thumps covers it. Their friendly, rarely bitey nature means our take on whether gerbils are good pets for kids is fairly positive with gentle, supervised handling.
Housing Built for Digging
Gerbils are dedicated burrowers, and a standard barred cage does not let them do what comes naturally. They thrive in a large tank or enclosure filled with a deep layer of bedding they can tunnel through, which is far better for their welfare than a shallow cage. Our guide to gerbil cage size requirements sets sensible minimums, and constant access to safe things to gnaw, along with a solid exercise wheel, keeps them fit and their ever growing teeth in check. Chew toys and a tunnel add enrichment, and a sand bath keeps the coat clean. Regular cleaning is simple, per our notes on how often to clean a gerbil cage.
Diet and Health
Gerbils do well on a quality gerbil mix or pellet, with small amounts of fresh vegetables and the occasional treat, and our overview of what gerbils eat covers it. Being desert animals they need little water but must always have access to it. As prey animals they mask illness, so learn the early signs of illness in gerbils and find an exotic vet.
Lifespan and Commitment
Gerbils typically live around three to four years, as our guide to how long gerbils live explains, a little longer than some small rodents. Since they are kept in pairs or groups, plan for the care of more than one, and be prepared for the shorter lifespan when they are a child’s pet.
Is a Gerbil Right for You?
A gerbil, always with at least one companion, suits people who can provide a deep bedded enclosure for burrowing, keep them in compatible groups, and enjoy watching an active, sociable little animal. It is a poorer fit for anyone wanting a single pet or a shallow standard cage. Meet their social and digging needs, and gerbils are among the most engaging and low odour small pets you can keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can gerbils live alone?
No. Gerbils are highly social and suffer when kept singly, so they should always be housed in same sex pairs or small compatible groups.
What kind of home do gerbils need?
A large enclosure or tank with a deep layer of bedding for burrowing, since digging is a core natural behaviour that a shallow barred cage prevents.
How long do gerbils live?
Usually around three to four years with good care, slightly longer than some other small rodents.