Q&A for How to Make an Aquarium Into a Gerbil Cage

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Do I really have to separate my gerbils at first to keep them from fighting? If so for how long?

Community Answer

Unless you bought them together or they are young litter mates who have not been separated yet, you will have to slowly introduce them using the split cage method. The length of time depends on the age and gender of the gerbils and the gerbils' personalities as well. Patience is key.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 36
Question

Can I have two males?

Elektrosonix

Community Answer

Absolutely, as long as they get along. They might play-fight, but they shouldn't be fighting too aggressively.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 26
Question

I got some wood blocks for my gerbil, but they are dyed. Is that okay?

Community Answer

As long as the wood blocks were made for pets, that should be fine.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 24
Question

Can I keep two males together?

Community Answer

Yes, so long as they get along.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 20
Question

How do I keep my gerbil safe from my cat?

Community Answer

Put the tank up high on a dresser and placed plastic bubble wrap on the floor, corner of the bed frame or anywhere your cat may use a launching pad to jump up to the cage. Cats do not like the feel of the bubble wrap on their paws, so they will not be able to jump to the cage.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 42
Question

How long do gerbils live for?

Community Answer

Gerbils often live for about 1-3 years, but if you take good care of them, possibly 4 years.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 27
Question

Why do you need to have a lid? Gerbils cannot climb over glass walls!

Community Answer

With the way they designed this tank to have shelves, the gerbils will be closer to the top of the tank than if they were only able to be on the bottom. Also, gerbils can jump much higher than you would think and are very smart critters that can easily figure out where they need to jump to. Gerbils have even being able to jump out of a bathtub. So, a lid is a good idea for the safety of the gerbil; better to bump its head than to land a long way down on the floor.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 44
Question

What kind of wheel is good for a gerbil? The article said to buy a mesh wheel and then said it hurts their feet?

Community Answer

A standard plastic solid wheel is best. Mesh would, in fact, hurt their feet.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 32
Question

Why don't my gerbils play with the toys I gave them?

Community Answer

They might be tired or not have energy, so try to feed them the correct foods and maybe give them a wheel to run on.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 34
Question

Where can I buy bedding for a gerbil?

Community Answer

Any pet supply store should have it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 16
Question

Can I have two females and two males ,Faye xxx

Gavin Donnelly

Community Answer

You should not house male and female gerbils together unless you want to breed them. In this case, you should only house 1 male and 1 female together.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 17
Question

If I were to get two gerbils, what genders should I get?

Community Answer

Get two of the same gender, unless you want them to reproduce. Which gender you get is entirely up to you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7
Question

Do I need to put the bedding in the aquarium a certain amount of time before I put my new gerbil in it? If so, how long?

Community Answer

No, right when you put the bedding in, you can put the gerbil in.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
Question

What if I have two males and a female, will everything be okay?

Kelly

Community Answer

I wouldn't recommend two males and one female, as they are likely to fight over her and you will end up with a lot of babies. The easiest pairing to care for would be two or more males. Keep the female separate.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7
Question

Is a wooden wheel better for my hamster's feet?

Community Answer

You can use any wheel, but don't use wheels that have holes - they can catch the hamster's feet and injure it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 9
Question

Do gerbils need an exercise wheel?

Community Answer

They don't need one, but your gerbil might enjoy having one in his cage. Buy one and see if he uses it. If he doesn't, you can remove it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 11
Question

Can I touch gerbil babies that are only a week hold?

Community Answer

Although it's okay to pet them inside the cage softly with one finger, you should not pick them up before they are 6 weeks of age.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
Question

I give my gerbils all the safe fruits and vegetables they can eat, but they don't eat them, only their gerbil food mix. What can I do?

Community Answer

Just keep giving them gerbil food if that's all they want to eat. Not all gerbils like fruits and vegetables.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
Question

How can I get my gerbils to use their exercise wheel?

Community Answer

Usually, you can simply leave it in their cage. The gerbils will explore it and use it when they are ready.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Question

What if I don't have access to Plexiglas? Will wood work?

Community Answer

Gerbils could chew threw the wood and hurt themselves or make themselves sick, so I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe check Amazon, eBay, or Home Depot for Plexiglas.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
Question

Can I use a tank lid to make an aquarium into a gerbil cage?

Community Answer

No. It's best if the gerbils have some ventilation so they can breathe. A mesh cover would be best.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Question

How do I make a gerbil feel comfortable with me?

Community Answer

Remember that gerbils are fragile, and even if you get frustrated with not being able to get to them, have patience and do not forcefully grab them or yell. You can also just leave out a hand in the same spot for a while. if they come up to sniff it, give them a treat. If they crawl into it, gently lift them out of the enclosure, cuddle gently with them for a bit, and give them a treat.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2