Helping You Choose A Good Gerbil Cage
Note This First Before Getting A Gerbil Cage
- Each gerbil requires at least 10 gallons of space. (Remember it is important to have at least 2 gerbils as they are social animals.)
- The minimum number of gallons needed for 2 gerbils is a tank of 20 gallons.
Here is the rule of thumb (try not to go lower than that, you can, however, go higher, which will be much appreciated by your gerbils):
- 20 gallons= 2 gerbils
- 30 gallons= 3 gerbils
- 40 gallons=4 gerbils
- 50 gallons= 5 gerbils
Why Is Cage Size Important?
Understand these two terms:
- Declanning
Gerbils live in groups, which are called clans. Within these clans, fights can break out because of different natural factors like dominance and mating. When such a fight occurs, there is always a loser, who must leave the clan. This is what is referred to as declanning.
- Territorial Issues
Now think about the natural factors mentioned above, some of which you might not know about and then put your gerbils in a small space. You can, of course, expect fights. If this happens, you will be required to take the loser gerbil to a separate habitat and look for another different gerbil to keep him or her company and make sure they are friendly enough to form a clan.
Recommended Gerbil Cages
Most owners have housed their gerbils in solid glass houses because of the ability to see the gerbils and to make digging possible; gerbils love digging tunnels. Here are examples of the cages:
OPTION #1
IKEA DETOLF
Tip this on its side and take out the shelves. You will need to get a lid that must be meshed to prevent chances of gerbil escape or some predator getting into the cage. The mesh also allows for proper ventilation.
See setting up videos. (You will get to see how this cage looks like in your home setting)
Assembling IKEA Detolf Hamster Cage
IKEA Detolf Hamster Cage View
Where Can You Get The IKEA Detolf Cage?
US: From IKEA
US: IKEA Glass-Door Cabinet, Black-Brown
UK: Ikea Detolf Glass Curio Display Cabinet White
OPTION #2
40+ gallons LONG fish tanks (consider the length more than height)
You will need to get a lid that must be meshed. You can either make one yourself or buy the Zilla Fresh Air Screen Cover. It is totally up to you. You can also place gift wrap on the back outside of the tank to get colorful cage backgrounds. The same case applies to the Detolf IKEA. See image. Image credits go to Melodie from the hamster hideout forum.
Gift wrap on the back outside of the tank
You can have a look at this cleaning clip, to see the aquarium in action.
Hamster Tank Cleaning (40 gallon Breeder Tank)
Where Do You Get This Aquarium?
US 1. Aqueon 40 Gallon Black Breeder Tank (361816) SD-3 {L-b}158017
UK 2.Aqueon Tank Breeder Black 36X18X16 40gal
Where Do You Get The Zilla Fresh Air Screen Cover?
U.S. Zilla Reptile Terrarium Covers Fresh Air Screen, 36×18-inch
UK: ZILLA Reptile Terrarium Covers Fresh Air Screen, 36×18-inch
OPTION #3
Skyline Small Pet Terrarium Marrakesh
Setting up the Marrakesh Terrarium
Organizing the Marrakesh Terrarium
This gerbil cage offers optimal height for enough bedding to allow gerbil tunneling, while providing sufficient air circulation.
You may come across two sizes
| Size | Total size | Internal size | Lid flap | Ventilated mesh |
| 80=29 gallons | 77 x 47 x 38 cm (L x W x H) | 73.5 x 44 x 35 cm (L x W x H) | 74 x 47 cm (L x W) | Diameter 3mm |
| 100=37 gallons | 96 x 47 x 38 cm (L x W x H) | 92.5 x 44 x 35 cm (L x W x H) | 93 x 47 cm (L x W) | Diameter 3mm |
Where Do I Get This Gerbil Cage?
OPTION #4
Home Tank Topper
You will need to get a 20+ gallon glass aquarium tank. Then, instead of purchasing the Zilla fresh air cover, you can purchase a wire topper cage top. See what we mean below.
New Cage Topper for Gerbils
Where Do You Get This?
20L Aquarium Tank Topper Cage Funhouse Gerbil Rat Hamster Degu
For different sizes depending on the gallon tank you have, check here:
It is good to NOTE that SOME gerbils chew on wires and can damage them. If you have gerbils that excessively chew on wires, avoid having thin wire tops. Choose thicker wired topper cages.
OPTION #5
Extra Large Gerbilariums (Savic Habitat Xl Navy Blue Gerbil Cage 70 X 37 X 52 Cm)
This one is equivalent to about 20 US Gallons Suitable for 2 gerbils.
See video of this cage below.
Gerbil Cage Tour
Where Do You Get This Cage?
OPTION #6
Living World Green Moving Home Eco Habitat, Medium or the Large one (whichever you want)-
As this has a wooden base, make sure to line it with good solid plastic or glass to avoid it being ruined.
Watch this clip on setting it up.
Setting up the Living World Green Eco Habitat HAmster Cage
Where Can You Get This Cage?
Hi just wanted to let you know the information you have is inaccurate, small tanks don’t cause declanning, small tanks do cause territorial issues leading to declanning, bigger is definitely better, I had my two in a tiny cage and unfortunately they declanned, nearly killing each other ,,due to the size of their tank, the bare minimum is 20 gallons for a single gerbil or a pair then a extra 10 gallons per extra gerbil, also gerbils are best in pairs as larger groups can become unstable which can lead to declanning,
Thanks Lisa, noted and corrected.
This is just inaccurate.
1. Minimum size per gerbil is 10 gallons, so for a pair it is 20. However, minimum is just a minimum to survive rather than thrive, so the recommended for a pair is 40 gal (100cm x 50cm of floor space and enough to fill with 20cm of bedding + space for a gerbil to stand up).
2. Too much space will NOT cause territorial issues. On the contrary, too little space might do that. Also, to avoid territorial issues it’s a good idea to be mindful and not create spaces with just one entrance (for example one hole) where one gerbil would be able to block the entrance for the other.
3. Option #4 Savic cage is too small because minimum enclosure requirements are given for the digging space and not the whole thing. Bottom part of Savic is too tiny even for XL version. Also it contains plastic and ladders which are not suitable for gerbils.
4. Suggestions for more suitable enclosures: Falco and Marrakesh from Zooplus, possibly Kerry terrarium too.
5. Your statement of having wire cages is not full correct – the most important thing for gerbils is to dig (whether you like it or not), and wire cages do not allow that and so are not suitable.
Zivile, thanks for the corrections. I have updated the article to help gerbil lovers provide the best for their gerbils.
Hey
The Savic isnt suitable as 20G should be the base area not the base and the cage on top as they cant float in mid air. I would remove this entirely as not a suitable environment