What is the daily routine for a gerbil's care?
Follow this 10-minute daily routine to keep your gerbil happy and healthy.
Daily Routine
Start your day by providing fresh food and water. Gerbils need a mix of pellets and fresh vegetables, like romaine lettuce or carrot tops, every morning. Ensure their water bottle is filled with clean, fresh water.
Next, check their cage for any signs of waste or uneaten food. Remove any soiled bedding and replace it with clean substrate. Gerbils require a deep layer of substrate, about 6 inches, to burrow in.
Offer your gerbils a sand bath once a week. This is a must for their hygiene and helps prevent mites. Use a shallow container filled with chinchilla dust, not water.
- Provide fresh food and water daily
- Check and replace bedding daily
- Offer a sand bath weekly
Weekly Routine
Weekly, you should spot clean the cage. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the cage bars and any toys. Gerbils can be messy, so this helps maintain a clean environment.
Also, clean the water bottle and food dish thoroughly. Gerbils are prone to infections, so cleanliness is crucial.
Inspect the cage for any signs of wear or damage. Gerbils are quite active and can chew through bars or substrate.
- Spot clean the cage weekly
- Clean water bottle and food dish weekly
- Inspect cage for damage weekly
Monthly Routine
Monthly, perform a deep clean of the cage. Remove all bedding and wash the cage with mild dish soap and warm water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely before refilling with new bedding.
Check the temperature and humidity in the room where the cage is located. Gerbils thrive in temperatures between 65–75°F (18–24°C) and humidity levels of 30–50%.
Inspect your gerbils for any signs of illness or injury. Look for changes in behavior, appetite, or appearance.
- Deep clean the cage monthly
- Check room temperature and humidity monthly
- Inspect gerbils monthly
What to Skip on Busy Days
On particularly busy days, you can skip the spot cleaning and just remove any particularly soiled areas. Gerbils are resilient and can handle a bit of mess.
If you're short on time, you can also forgo the sand bath one week, but make sure to provide it the following week.
Avoid missing the daily food and water check, as this is essential for their health.
- Skip spot cleaning on busy days
- Skip sand bath once a week if necessary
- Never miss daily food and water check
Daily Checks
Every day, take a moment to observe your gerbils. Look for signs of aggression, illness, or stress. Aggressive behavior can be a sign of overcrowding or a lack of space.
Check their water bottle for cleanliness and fill it if it's low. Gerbils can be picky about their water, so a clean bottle is important.
Inspect their food dish for any uneaten food. Gerbils may not eat everything in one day, so it's important to remove any leftovers.
- Observe gerbils daily for aggression or illness
- Check water bottle daily for cleanliness
- Inspect food dish daily for uneaten food
Keep reading about Gerbil: Gerbil care sheet
Related questions
How often should I clean the gerbil cage?
You should spot clean the cage daily and perform a deep clean monthly.
What temperature should the room be for gerbils?
The room should be between 65–75°F (18–24°C).
How often should I provide a sand bath for my gerbil?
Offer a sand bath once a week.
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your gerbil is injured, off food unusually long, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.