Gerbils
Curious, clean, tireless burrowers
Native to the steppes of Mongolia, the gerbil is a small day-active rodent, clean and a tireless burrower. Its natural colour is greyish-brown, but there are many varieties. A small gland on its belly is used to mark its territory.
Its living environment
- Provide a cage or an aquarium-type tank measuring at least 60 × 35 × 35 cm, with a good depth of bedding (shavings, hemp, hay or straw), as it loves to dig. To be changed every week, or even twice a week.
- A sand bath is essential: the gerbil rolls in it to remove the excess sebum from its skin.
- Room temperature 20-22 °C.
Its diet
Vegetarian with an omnivorous tendency, it eats commercial pellets (18 to 22 % protein) and a seed mix, supplemented with a little vegetables and fruit. Avoid citrus fruit and kiwi, which are too acidic for it.
Its health — what to watch for
The gerbil needs little care. The most frequent reasons for consultation are skin problems (itching, rough coat, fungal infection or parasites) and digestive disorders: soft droppings point to inflammation of the intestine (enteritis). Also keep an eye on its front teeth, which grow continuously and can end up crossing over each other (a malocclusion): the gerbil then drools or eats more slowly. Finally, gerbils can have brief nervous fits resembling epilepsy, generally harmless; mention them to your vet if they recur.
Content from the Au Furet veterinary practice, rewritten for owners.
In Switzerland: no permit required No permit required, but keeping is subject to the TSchV requirements on living conditions: minimum space, social contact, and appropriate feeding and care. Legal framework in detail →
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