What do gerbils eat and how do I provide the best care for them?

If you feed a good quality gerbil food it will have all the nutritional requirements. You can supplement the diet with hay, fruit and veg, meal worms etc. If you find that the gerbils are picky about what they eat you could add a vitamin and mineral supplement to their water, but it is not a definite requirement.

You can feed your gerbil 1/2-1 ml of food at a time. You can do this every 2-3 hours. Don't syringe the food in too quickly because the he may not be able to swallow it quickly. Just place little amounts on the tongue for him to swallow on his own. I hope this helps. Good luck.

In most instances a cage is recommended over an aquarium for small mammals because there can be inadequate ventilation with glass aquariums and ammonia from the urine can build up within the cage and cause respiratory problems. A wire cage with small bar spacing is often recommended with a thick layer of paper bedding (such as Carefresh bedding) and plenty of areas to climb and hide.

Do not use an aquarium tank. A suitably sized (and secure) wire cage with a solid bottom is recommended. HabiTrail and Kaytee have excellent choices for cages. Buy the largest cage you can afford and fit in the chosen space. You can use recycled paper bedding such as CareFresh or Yesterday's News. Aspen shavings or pellets are also acceptable. Do not use pine or cedar shavings as these can be irritating. A commercial diet from Kaytee or VitaKraft can be fed from a ceramic bowl. A ceramic bowl prevents gnawing and tipping. A non chewable water bottle can be hung to provide fresh water daily. Other necessary items include chew toys and an exercise wheel. Find a veterinarian experienced in treating pocket pets and have your new addition examined to confirm good health. Feed, water and exercise daily. Clean the cage weekly. These little guys require very little care and can provide lots of entertainment. Congrats and enjoy!

Thanks for reaching out. Some animal tame better than others. The key is gaining their trust, often with the use of treats. Once they're used to your hand in the cage with slow and deliberate movements, leave the hand flat and allow them to crawl over it. Next your can attempt to lift them from below. Grabbing them from above often results in fear biting. Not sure if your asking about breeding or bedding. The bedding should be spot cleaned daily, as gerbils will often choose a corner to use as a toilet. The flooring should be a solid bottom to prevent leg damage. It can be covered with a softer material such as recycled paper products, which are absorptive and non-toxic. Many of the wood products are aromatic and damage lungs if inhaled over long periods of time. Good luck.

If he will allow, check his teeth for overgrowth or misalignment. Also, look for obvious signs of infection or injury. This may include redness, swelling, bleeding, bruising or discharge. If you see anything suspicious, he will need to be seen by your veterinarian for confirmation and treatment. If his teeth are fine, clean his cage and sanitize bowls, water bottle, toys and hides. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Maintain a stable temperature and keep him as stress free as possible. If his symptoms persist, a veterinary exam will be needed.

Thanks for reaching out about Babygirl. Eventually, she should figure out the extent of her surrounds and will investigate the cage. But until then, do place food where she can find it. Gerbils are desert animals and don't have a high need for water and are able to extract water from food well. Monitor urination. Good luck.