Gerbil Toy Ideas

Gerbils are active and inquisitive rodents, and they need a lot of exercise and stimulation. Gerbil toys can be store-bought or often handmade, and they should combine both opportunities for exercise and investigation as often as possible. Some popular toys for gerbils include chew toys, tubes, wheels and balls. However, as important as it is to know what toys to use, it is equally important to be aware of what toys to avoid for your gerbil's health.

  1. Chew Toys

    • Gerbils' teeth grow consistently, and without chew toys their teeth can become overgrown and pose a health hazard. When choosing a chew toy, there are many options. Some toys are wooden, while others can be made of corn. You can find toys that provide a challenge for the gerbils by hiding a bell or nut within a larger structure that the gerbils must chew through in order to reach the center. Some toys also hang from the top of the cage to entice gerbils to reach for their goals.

    Tubes

    • Gerbils love to explore, and adding tubes to their cages can expand their space to roam. Also, a simple toilet paper roll inside the cage can double as a place to explore and play as well as a chew toy. Some store-bought tubes can also be used to connect cages or play areas together, providing a vast play area for your gerbil to frolic in.

    Wheels and Balls

    • Gerbils love to run, and a wheel in the cage is practically a necessity in order to ensure they are getting the exercise they need. An exercise ball is another way for gerbils to run, but it provides them more freedom than the stationary running in the wheel. Gerbils can run throughout the house in a ball as long as you monitor them to make sure that they don't get stuck and trapped.

    Toys to Avoid

    • Gerbils will chew anything that they can, so you must be careful of the types of materials that you give to them. They will chew toys made of plastic and may ingest bits of plastic that can cause intestinal blockage. Also, avoid toys with moving parts because your gerbil's tail may get caught and this could cause injury.