Ask The Gerbils

Hi Nellie!

My sister and I each had two gerbils, two were girls and two were boys and they lived separately.

Now one of each has died and we were wondering if the boy and girl could live in the same cage if it was always a split cage? Or could they get pregnant?

We're worried they're lonely but we aren't allowed to get anymore gerbils. We've spent lots of time with them, but we're still worried.

Thanks,

-S.

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Hi S.!

Yes, as long as the split cage you build is sturdy and they can't get around, over, or under the divider, your gerbil and your sister's gerbil should be able to live in a split cage without any trouble. :)

Use a good, sturdy divider, too, so that they can't chew through it.

As long as your gerbils can't get to the other side of the divider, you shouldn't have to worry about the female getting pregnant.

Living in the split cage won't be the same as living together, but I think they will feel safer having another gerbil nearby than living completely alone.

You can find information about building a really good split cage here:

http://www.twinsqueaks.com/split-tank.html

You'll need a parent or other trusted adult to help you build the split tank.

If you can't build a split tank for your gerbils, just keep doing what you've been doing and give your gerbils lots of love and attention. And give them lots of cardboard to chew and an exercise wheel to run in.

Good luck! Tell you gerbil and your sister's gerbil hi from me!

Your buddy,
-Nellie

Hi Nellie!

I have heard about giving gerbils dust baths. So I found some at the pet store and bought it. I have a dish to put it in, but they don't take it. All they do is lick it.

I am worried that they don't know how to do it. Do they? I have been putting the dish in their cage for about 5 to 10 minutes every day for about three weeks.

Thank you,

-A.

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Hi A.,

Thanks for writing! Not all gerbils will use a dust bath, but most of us will!

It can take us a while to figure out what to do with the sand or dust. Almost all gerbils will first lick or chew on the sand before they roll in it, so that's okay that your gerbils do this. :)

You might try sprinkling a little bit of dust on their backs while they're standing in the bowl. Sometimes, a gerbil will shake to get the sand off his or her back, and that will prompt them to start rolling.

Most gerbils will take a sandbath, but some just don't. Here at Twin Squeaks, we have just one gerbil who doesn't take sand baths. His name is Buster. His tankmate Gobo loves to take sand baths. But Buster just sits in the bowl and looks around.

Try to sprinkle some dust on your gerbils' backs while they're standing in the bowl. That might help. Good luck!

Your pal,
-Nellie