Gerbils love to chew, dig, and burrow.One of the most exciting parts of owning a gerbil is setting up a cage that allows it to do certain things.You can create underground tunnels, platforms, and ramps.Setting up an obstacle course out of cardboard is a great way to be creative.
Step 1: For the best option, choose a 10-gallon aquarium.
Two gerbils should be in a 10-gallon aquarium cage.Aquarium cages are great for digging and easy to clean.If you pile a lot of bedding in the cage, it won't fall out and make a mess.The aquarium cage you choose should have a wire lid for air flow.If you have more than three gerbils, use a larger cage.
Step 2: Try a wire cage.
If you live in a hot climate, you may want to choose a wire cage.A wire cage that is 20 inches long is ideal for gerbils.If you choose a wire cage, make sure the space between the bars is small to prevent your gerbil from escaping.A multi-level cage can be dangerous for baby gerbils.gerbils are prone to fall and hurt themselves in cages.A wire cage has a lot of tubes and tunnels.
Step 3: Plastic cages are not a good idea.
Poor ventilation means you will need to clean them more often.Gerbils chew into plastic cages.Plastic cages are easy to escape from.Plastic cages are not gerbil-proof.
Step 4: The cage should not be placed near windows.
Aquarium cages can be overheated by direct sunlight from windows.It's possible to cause heatstroke in your gerbils.Place your gerbil's cage in a cool part of the house.It's ideal to have a spot that gets indirect sunlight.
Step 5: Don't put the cage in front of the air vents.
Don't put the cage in front of the air conditioning unit.A cold can be caused by the cold air blowing on your gerbil.
Step 6: The cage should be placed on a table or shelf.
The cage will be removed from the ground.Placing your gerbil's cage on top of a structure will protect it from other pets.The structure that you put the cage on needs to be strong.If you are unsure about its strength, use a different structure.A cage that is placed on the ground is prone to drafts.
Step 7: The quiet room is where you should put your gerbil's cage.
Gerbils have a good sense of smell and hearing.Quiet bedrooms, reading rooms, and studies are ideal for your gerbil's cage.Don't put the cage in the children's bedrooms, family rooms, kitchens, and hallways.
Step 8: There are areas of the house where chemicals are kept.
Do not put your gerbil's cage in the laundry room or bathroom.It is not a good idea to put your gerbil's cage in the garage.
Step 9: 4 inches of bedding is needed to fill the cage.
A cage filled with at least 4 inches of bedding is ideal because gerbils like to dig and burrow.If not more, you may want to fill half of the cage with bedding.A large amount of bedding will allow your gerbil to bury its food.Dust-free bedding such as recycled paper can be used.Pine and cedar fumes are harmful to gerbils.You can use shredded paper that doesn't have anything on it.As ammonia from urine can make your gerbil develop respiratory issues, scoop out any dirty bedding as soon as you notice it.
Step 10: The tunnels should be positioned throughout the cage.
Paper towel rolls, empty oatmeal containers, and tissue boxes can be used as tunnels.The tunnels are in the bedding.You can either bury them completely or halfway in the bedding.Attachable tunnels can be purchased for the cage.The wax can be harmful to gerbils.
Step 11: A wooden box is needed for a nest.
Gerbils like to sleep in boxes.In the nest, place bedding or shredded paper towels.Fluffy material can wrap around your gerbil's feet and cause an injury.There are wooden boxes at your local pet supply store.Gerbils chew through plastic, so don't use a plastic box.
Step 12: The wooden platforms are in the cage.
Wooden platforms are a great way to keep your gerbil entertained.If you want your gerbil to reach the platform, you need to place a wooden ramp next to it.Flat stones or rocks can be placed in the cage.Gerbils like to climb on these and use them as lookouts.
Step 13: Its food should be scattered throughout the cage.
There are different places to put your gerbil's food.A natural behavior in gerbils is to scatter its food.The food can be placed in a ceramic dish.If you're going to use a ceramic dish, make sure it's heavy so your gerbil can't tip it over.
Step 14: Attach a bottle of water to the cage.
The water bottle should not be near the bedding.The water may drain onto the bedding if it is.If this happens, you will need to change the bedding.You can refill your gerbil's water bottle with cool water.Every day, your gerbil will have access to fresh, clean water.
Step 15: Provide lots of toys.
There are wooden chew toys in the cage.Plain cardboard, wicker baskets, and branches from trees are great chew toys.Don't use open-wire wheels if you want to provide an exercise wheel.A gerbil's tail can get caught in a wheel.Use a wheel with a running track.The wicker basket should not have been treated with anything.You should make sure that the branches are natural and not treated with chemicals.Fresh branches are better than dead ones.