Colchester Zoo Pet Care Sheet

Before you get a pet, please think really carefully about whether it is the right pet for you? How much space do you have in your house? How much money are you prepared to spend on it? How much exercise do you have time to give it?It is really important that you give your pet the best possible care and if you consider questions like this before you get a pet then you can be sure to find one that is right for you.

Is a gerbil the right pet for you?

Gerbils are bright and inquisitive, and fun to observe, but they need your commitment and regular attention. Before getting any pet, you should think very hard about whether you can provide everything it needs, including love.

What does a gerbil need?

• Companionship - to be with other gerbils.
• Daily feeding on a diet of mixed grain and washed fruit and vegetables, with occasional sunflower seeds and peanuts.
• A constant supply of fresh, clean drinking water in a drip feed bottle with a metal spout.
• A large home called a gerbilarium (like a big aquarium tank with a wire mesh cover) that is kept indoors in a warm place, out of direct sunlight.
• Plenty of burrowing material (potting compost and chopped straw or hay) and clean white kitchen paper or soft hay for bedding.
• Toys to play with, like cardboard tubes and wooden cotton reels.
• The gerbilarium to be tidied every day and thoroughly cleaned out every three months.
• A softwood gnawing block to wear down long teeth.
• Some quiet time every day to allow them to rest.
• To be taken to a veterinary surgeon if they are ill or injured.
• To be looked after when you are away on holiday.

How long does a gerbil live?

Gerbils live for three years.

Behaviour

In the wild, gerbils live in groups called colonies, and it is unkind to keep one gerbil on its own. Either male or female gerbils from the same litter can live happily together, but adult gerbils that don't know each other are likely to fight. Gerbils are very active and have a strong need to burrow, scratch and dig, so their housing needs to cater for this. They are active by day and night, with about a three-hour cycle of activity and rest.

Handling

Encourage the gerbil to walk on to your outstretched hand, limiting its movement with your other hand over its back. Gerbils are very lively and are inclined to jump, so great care and caution is needed. They may become upset by too much handling.

Breeding

It is strongly advised that you do not breed from your gerbils as it is very difficult to find good homes for the young. A female gerbil has an average of five to seven litters during her life, with up to eight young in each litter. The best way to ensure that gerbils do not breed is simply to keep males and females apart.

Health

• If the gerbilarium is left in direct sunlight, gerbils can suffer heat exhaustion. They should recover if moved to a cool dark room and left alone, but the situation is easily avoided.
• A sore nose and eyes can be caused by gnawing wire or burrowing in dusty conditions. Make sure gerbils' accommodation is clean and suitable for their needs.
• Gerbils may suffer from overgrown teeth if there is a lack of material to chew on. Your veterinary surgeon may have to cut them back.
• Poor handling or a minor accident can cause a tail injury. The thinner part of the gerbil's long tail is easily injured and great care should be taken when handling and when choosing toys for the gerbilarium.
• The most serious disease to affect gerbils is called Tyzzer's Disease. Symptoms include tiredness, lack of appetite and diarrhoea. The disease can be fatal, so you should seek veterinary advice at once.

Remember - a pet needs your time and interest for the rest of its life.

Colchester Zoo’s Action for the Wild is a registered charity no. 1105621 Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL Telephone 01206 331292, Fax 01206 331392