As small animals with lots of personality, gerbils are popular pets. Gerbil cages are essential for the health, happiness, and safety of these social animals. Gerbil cages fall into these enclosure types:
Regardless of the material, the most important factor in a gerbil cage is its size. Gerbil cages need to be large enough to house the gerbils, their food, and toys while also providing sufficient depth for bedding. Consult your vet with any questions about the best enclosure for your gerbils.
In short, the biggest cage you can get is best, as gerbils are social animals who love to play, run, and tunnel. The ideal gerbil cage has enough space for food and toys while being escape-proof and well-ventilated.
Experts recommend a minimum of 20 gallons per gerbil pair. Gerbils may be small, but they need ample space and depth in their enclosures for tunneling, climbing, and running—so the bigger the cage, the better.
Gerbils can chew through plastic. Experts recommend using plastic-only enclosures as temporary cages (such as when cleaning their primary cage) or as play structures.
Because gerbils are excellent chewers and skilled escape artists, the best materials for gerbil cages are wire or glass. Wire cages with deep bases are popular because they are easy to maintain and provide ventilation to prevent humidity buildup. Some gerbil pet parents prefer glass tanks since they contain messes and allow for easy observation when gerbils are digging.