Acclimating a Gerbil to a New Cage

Gerbils are friendly, curious rodents that make amusing pets. Since they are sensitive animals with a strong sense of smell and weak eyesight, it sometimes takes time for a gerbil to fully explore and get accustomed to a new cage. Gerbils are territorial animals that feel uncomfortable when they are not in their familiar territory, so it generally takes about four to seven days for a gerbil to get acclimated to a new cage.

  1. Cage Setup

    • The cage must be set up properly for your gerbil's comfort. Gerbils need large aquariums or cages with about 36 square inches of floor space and a layer of wood chips or corncob bedding on the bottom. A gerbil also needs a wooden nesting box in the corner of the cage filled with nesting material such as torn strips of tissue. Attach one or two sources of fresh water, such as a self-feeding bottle to the side of the cage. Also include a chew-proof food dish filled with gerbil food and a small litter box filled with sterilized sand.

    Bring Your Gerbil Home

    • When you first take your gerbil home, bring him directly to his cage. The constant movement and sounds of traveling are stressful on the gerbil so it is best to get him to his new cage quickly. Place the container you are carrying him in on its side inside the cage and open it so the gerbil can come out when he feels safe. Remove the carrying container after he has come out. Allowing the gerbil to leave his container on his own will make it a less scary experience than plucking him out of his container and dropping him directly in the cage.

    Human Interaction

    • After your gerbil has been introduced to his new cage, leave him alone for about 24 to 48 hours. Don't try to pick up, touch him or handle him. He needs time to adjust to the sights and smells of his new cage. Any additional strange and frightening experiences may be too much for him to handle. Talk to your gerbil gently in a calm voice so he gets used to the sound of your voice and your presence near the cage.

    Companions

    • Gerbils like having companions, but they are very territorial and have a hard time accepting unfamiliar gerbils into their cages. Raising two gerbils together from a young age or choosing two gerbils from the same litter is the best way to avoid territorial behavior. You can also introduce adult gerbils in a cage by placing a divider such as a piece of plexiglass or wire mesh in the middle of the cage to create two separate areas for each gerbil. This will allow the gerbils to see and smell each other without being able to touch. Swap sides by picking them up and moving them to the opposite side of the cage every few hours for about a week until they get used to each other's scent. Then remove the divider.