Peculiarities of keeping and caring for gerbils

Gerbils are popular pets. They don't require luxurious living conditions. They are relatively easy to care for, easily tamed, and require little maintenance. This makes them popular with children and their parents. These animals have no distinct odor, are hypoallergenic, are easygoing, and are very clean.

Description of appearance

Gerbils are small rodents, similar in appearance to rats, but much smaller. However, gerbils are larger than hamsters and mice, averaging about ten centimeters in size.

Gerbils differ from rats not only in size, but also in their characteristic tail. Their tail is not naked, unlike a rat's, but covered with a coat of wool and has a small tuft at the end. Their tail is also the size of the gerbil itself, and sometimes even longer.

The animals are sandy in color, with lighter fur on their bellies. Gerbils are primarily found in deserts and semi-deserts. accustomed to living in extreme conditions and climate, so in nature they are accustomed to getting by with small quantities and a small variety of food and water.

The animals are also unpretentious in terms of territory; they only need a small amount of space to live.

The character of gerbils

These animals are very active, and their activity is not dependent on time. They can be awake both day and night, interrupted by short naps. These rodents also have a characteristic friendliness and curiosity.

That is why they easily make contact with people, are not afraid of them and do not seek solitude, do not hide in corners, but prefer open areasAlthough gerbils get along well with people, they can get lonely.

Therefore, it's advisable to have several pets at once. Unfortunately, these wonderful animals have a significant drawback: their lifespan is short. On average, they live only 2–3 years, and in the best cases, no more than 8.

Furnishing a home for a pet

Gerbils are not picky about space. A suitable place for them is small-sized cage, or an aquarium. Rodents love to chew, so plastic cage bars are not suitable; metal ones are better.

If you choose an aquarium as a home for gerbils, with access to air, then it is necessary be sure to close the lidTo prevent the animal from escaping, it's best to keep the gerbil away from direct sunlight and drafts. For this purpose, it's best to place the cage away from windows and doors.

These animals thrive in a wide range of temperatures. They are most comfortable at temperatures ranging from +20°C to -5°C. The maximum temperature for keeping rodents is considered to be +22°C to +23°C, and the minimum is -10°C to -15°C.

The gerbil will not be comfortable in an empty cage, these animals love to dig, so you need to put something on the bottom pour a large layer of sawdustThis will be great fun for her; it's recommended to add about 10–15 centimeters of sawdust. The sawdust should be from non-coniferous trees.

Accessories

In addition to choosing a home for this type of rodent, you also need to think about what to put in the house itself:

1. These animals require a lot of activity, and the small space of a cage can't accommodate this, so you should provide them with a wheel. A metal one is best, as plastic ones will easily get damaged. Bars should also be avoided, as there's no guarantee the animal won't get stuck.
2. A net on a metal wheel is the most reliable and safe option. Hay and napkins will help create a cozy home for the animal; they make a good nest. However, be careful with fabrics; these little creatures can get tangled in threads.
3. These rodents need a feeding bowl to eat. It's best to place it a few centimeters below the sawdust, otherwise the bowl will be knocked over or covered with sawdust. It's best to use a special water bottle for water, rather than a saucer or bowl. It's important to ensure the bottle doesn't leak, as wet sawdust can cause your rodent to catch a cold.
4. Like many animals, gerbils have a strong need to sharpen their teeth. Specially treated sticks from pet stores are suitable for this. Otherwise, the gerbil will sharpen its teeth with cage rods, which can lead to the gerbil wearing down its nose.

Gerbils need to be looked after for their teeth, as dental problems are particularly common among these animals.

Because the animal is cleanYou won't need to clean the cage often. Gerbils produce a small amount of waste each day, so cleaning once every one to two weeks is sufficient.

Features of the diet

They will happily eat a variety of seeds. This is their main diet, but there are many vitamin-rich foods that they will also enjoy.

The necessary food is various greens, wherever it comes from, it must be thoroughly washed. These could be leaves and grass from outside, plants like dandelions, or even herbs from pet stores.

There are a wide variety of foods that can and should be fed to gerbils. You can add variety to their daily diet by introducing soft foods. bread and various cerealsSpecialized food for this type of animal, purchased in pet stores, is good, balanced food.

Gerbil food isn't always available in stores, but you can use food for other rodents, like hamsters. However, be sure to remove all nuts from hamster food. Fatty foods are harmful to gerbils. How much food to feed your pet depends on ask your veterinarian, as it depends on the specific animal.

To ensure that the animals receive a sufficient amount of vitamins, they can give vegetables and fruitsBefore feeding a vegetable or fruit to a gerbil, it must be washed first. Gerbils eat:

• tomatoes;
• cucumbers;
• legumes;
• carrot;
• apples of different varieties.

A particular individual won't necessarily eat all the foods offered; place the foods nearby and observe which ones they prefer. Starchy vegetables should be avoided.

Exotic and citrus fruits are also not recommended for gerbils' daily diet. To avoid calcium deficiency, it is recommended to give your gerbil supplements. eggshells Or a special chalk purchased at a pet store. Ask your veterinarian for the exact amount.

This is an unpretentious animal that's easy to care for, especially if you don't worry about how long gerbils live. These small animals are a great alternative to common hamsters and mice. A gerbil is sure to become a family favorite!