Basics

Handling

The more you handle your gerbil, within reason, the better you will get on. They can be stressed by overhandling and sudden noises and disturbances, so be very careful, quiet and sensitive when handling them. Approach them from 'gerbil height', and never swoop down from above. To a gerbil this looks like a large bird wanting to eat them! Cup your hands gently over the gerbil and pick it up carefully, making sure that it can't fall too great a distance. Another method is to hold the base of the tail gently with one hand, whilst placing the palm of the other hand under the gerbil's body. Never grab the tip of the tail, as this can cause all of the tail's skin to fall away.

Care

A gerbil will want plenty of exercise, best provided through tunnels and a special 'gerbilarium' with ramps and ladders as well. They can get their tails trapped in exercise wheels. A few twigs in their cage provide gerbil amusement.

Gerbils are very healthy animals, but you should check your gerbil each day for any signs of illness, such as a decreased appetite, hunched position, runny nose and eyes or a dull coat. If you are worried, always isolate the gerbil from any other ones, then contact the vet.

Gerbils can get problems with their teeth in older age which will need veterinary treatment. They can also have overgrown claws; the veterinary practice can either trim them for you, or show you how to do it.

You should be very careful when handling your gerbil. Make sure that the cage is at ground level or there is a wide margin of safety around it. Gerbils falling a relatively small distance can suffer from serious injuries.