Gerbil Cages For 2 Gerbils

The Ultimate Guide to Gerbil Cages for Two Gerbils: Creating a Happy and Healthy Home

Finding the perfect cage for your two gerbils is crucial for their well-being. A cramped or inadequate enclosure can lead to stress, illness, and even aggression between your furry friends. This comprehensive guide delves into the essential aspects of choosing and setting up a suitable cage for a pair of gerbils, ensuring they thrive in a stimulating and spacious environment. We'll cover cage size, materials, accessories, and crucial considerations for maintaining a clean and safe habitat.

Introduction: Why Cage Size Matters for Gerbil Pairs

Gerbils are highly active, social animals that require ample space to exercise, explore, and interact. Housing two gerbils in a cage that's too small can result in territorial disputes, fighting, and a decline in overall health. Remember, bigger is always better when it comes to gerbil housing. Ignoring this fundamental need can significantly impact your gerbils' quality of life and longevity. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of what constitutes an appropriate cage size, suitable materials, and the essential accessories to create a stimulating and enriching environment for your gerbil pair.

Choosing the Right Cage Size: More Than Just Square Footage

While many sources suggest minimum cage sizes, focusing solely on square footage is misleading. The ideal cage for two gerbils goes beyond simple measurements and encompasses three key aspects: floor space, height, and overall volume.

Floor Space: The minimum recommended floor space for two gerbils is 450 square inches (approximately 30cm x 30cm or 12" x 12"). However, aiming for significantly more space—at least 700 square inches (approx. 35cm x 35cm or 14" x 14")—is highly recommended to allow for ample running, burrowing, and interaction. Consider the cage's shape; a long and narrow cage is preferable to a small, square one.
Height: Gerbils are excellent climbers and enjoy exploring vertically. A cage with sufficient height allows for multiple levels, promoting natural behaviours and reducing territorial tension. A minimum height of 12 inches (30cm) is advisable, but 18 inches (45cm) or more is preferable to incorporate multiple levels and enrichment options.
Overall Volume: The combination of floor space and height creates the overall volume of the cage. This is crucial for adequate ventilation and providing ample space for your gerbils to spread out and avoid feeling crowded. Aim for a spacious cage that allows for plenty of room to move around comfortably. Don't skimp on this – it directly impacts their health and happiness.

Cage Materials: Safety First

The materials used in your gerbils' cage are critical for their safety and well-being. Avoid cages made from materials that could be chewed and ingested, such as:

Wire cages with small gaps: Gerbils are expert chewers and can easily escape or injure themselves on wire cages with small gaps. They might also get their paws stuck or even their heads.
Cages made from soft wood: Softwoods like pine or cedar can release harmful phenols and oils that are toxic to gerbils.

Instead, prioritize cages made from:

Solid-bottom cages: These cages provide a safer environment and eliminate the risk of injury from wire mesh floors.
Metal cages with a solid bottom: Ensure the bars are spaced sufficiently wide to prevent escapes, and that there are no sharp edges or rust. Look for cages made of stainless steel for durability and ease of cleaning.
High-quality plastic or acrylic cages: These materials are durable, easy to clean, and provide a good visual barrier, which can reduce stress for gerbils. Choose high quality acrylic to avoid flimsy materials that could crack. Always ensure the cage is well ventilated.

Essential Cage Accessories: Enriching Their World

To ensure a thriving environment, a suitable cage requires more than just space; it needs a selection of essential accessories:

Substratum (Beddding): Provide a thick layer of absorbent, dust-free bedding. Aspen shavings, paper-based bedding, or fleece liners are excellent choices. Avoid cedar or pine shavings. The depth of bedding should allow your gerbils to burrow comfortably, ideally at least 6 inches (15cm) deep.
Hideouts: Gerbils are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk, and they need places to hide and feel secure. Provide at least two hideouts, such as small houses, cardboard tubes, or ceramic hideys, placed in different areas of the cage.
Chew Toys: Gerbils have a constant need to chew, so providing a variety of safe chew toys is vital to prevent boredom and destructive chewing on the cage itself. Wooden chew toys, cardboard tubes, and safe, untreated branches are good options.
Food and Water Bowls: Use heavy ceramic or metal bowls that cannot be easily tipped over. Ensure the water bottle is securely attached and provides fresh, clean water at all times.
Exercise Wheel: A solid-surface exercise wheel is essential for maintaining your gerbils' physical and mental health. Ensure the wheel is large enough to accommodate their bodies comfortably, preventing back problems. Avoid wire wheels, as they can cause foot injuries.
Sand Bath: A shallow dish filled with chinchilla sand (not dust) provides a crucial opportunity for gerbils to groom themselves and maintain their coat health.
Tunnels and Tubes: These add complexity and encourage exploration. Cardboard tubes, plastic tunnels, and even PVC pipes (ensure they are smooth and free of sharp edges) can provide hours of entertainment.
Climbing Structures: Branches, rocks (smooth and safe), and platforms add vertical space and encourage natural climbing behaviours.
Toys: Rotating a variety of toys helps prevent boredom. Puzzle feeders, foraging toys, and small, safe toys will keep your gerbils stimulated and engaged.

Cage Cleaning and Maintenance: A Crucial Aspect of Gerbil Care

Regular cleaning is paramount to prevent the buildup of ammonia and bacteria, which can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues.

Spot Cleaning: Remove soiled bedding daily. This prevents ammonia build up and maintains cleanliness.
Partial Cleaning: Weekly, remove and replace a portion of the bedding, ensuring that the remaining bedding is sufficient for burrowing.
Full Cage Cleaning: At least once a month (or more frequently if necessary), completely clean the cage. Wash all accessories thoroughly with hot, soapy water (ensure all soap residue is gone before returning accessories to the cage), and replace all bedding. Allow the cage and accessories to dry completely before reintroducing your gerbils.

Understanding Gerbil Behaviour and Social Dynamics

Before getting a pair of gerbils, it's crucial to understand their social behavior and the potential challenges of co-housing. Ideally, gerbils should be housed in same-sex pairs. Introducing two adult males together can sometimes lead to aggression, and the risks should be carefully weighed.

Introducing Gerbils: Introduce gerbils slowly and carefully, using a neutral territory to minimize aggression. Never force interaction. Separate cages initially are very much recommended.
Monitoring Interaction: Closely monitor your gerbils' interactions after introduction. Look for signs of aggression such as chasing, biting, or excessive grooming. If aggression persists, separate them immediately.
Signs of Stress: Recognize signs of stress, such as excessive grooming, hunched posture, loss of appetite, or weight loss. These could indicate problems within the cage environment or between the gerbils.
Providing Sufficient Resources: Ensure there are sufficient resources (food, water, hideouts, etc.) to reduce competition and prevent disputes.

Troubleshooting Common Cage-Related Issues

Fighting: If gerbils are constantly fighting, separate them immediately. Provide more space, hideouts, and resources. If the aggression persists, consult a veterinarian or experienced gerbil keeper.
Escapes: Check the cage regularly for any gaps or weaknesses that gerbils could exploit. Ensure all doors and latches are securely closed.
Chewing: Provide plenty of safe chew toys to redirect chewing behavior away from the cage itself.
Boredom: A bored gerbil is a destructive gerbil. Ensure the cage is stimulating with various toys, tunnels, and enrichment activities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use a multi-level cage? A: Yes, multi-level cages are ideal for gerbils, as long as there are safe ramps or steps to access each level.
Q: What kind of wheel is best? A: A solid-surface wheel is the safest option. Avoid wire wheels that can cause foot injuries.
Q: How often should I clean the cage? A: Spot clean daily, partially clean weekly, and perform a full cage cleaning at least monthly.
Q: Can I use fabric bedding? A: Yes, fleece liners are a popular and safe bedding option, but they still require frequent cleaning.
Q: How many gerbils can I keep in one cage? A: It’s best to keep only two gerbils in a cage of adequate size to avoid aggression and ensure their well-being. Larger enclosures might be considered for a larger group of gerbils, but very carefully managed.
Q: My gerbils are fighting, what should I do? A: Separate them immediately. Assess your cage set up to ensure you have enough space, hiding places and resources. If the problem persists, consult a vet.
Q: What if my gerbil escapes? A: Gerbils are fast and determined! Ensure your cage is secure to avoid escapes. If one escapes, prepare to search diligently.

Conclusion: Creating a Gerbil Paradise

Providing a suitable and enriching environment for your gerbil pair is fundamental to their health and happiness. By carefully selecting a spacious cage made of appropriate materials and equipping it with the necessary accessories, you can create a thriving habitat where your gerbils can thrive. Remember that regular cleaning and attention to their social dynamics are equally crucial for ensuring their well-being. Investing the time and effort to create a gerbil paradise will be richly rewarded with the joy and companionship of these delightful creatures. Their health and happiness depend on it.