Do Gerbils Smell?

Question

I've had male mice in the past and could'nt stand the smell, so sadly had to get rid of them. I'm now am very interested in getting gerbils but am worried about the smell compared to the mice. Please answer if you have had experierece with both animals. Thank You.

Answer 1

Occasionally Gerbils can smell, probably because they once in a while go p**p in their cages.  My cousin Vincent who lives with us bought a ferret and it would p**p in it's cage.  After my cousin was gone for the summer, we had to bring the ferret back to the shelter / pet store, and throw out his dirty cage.

Answer 2

I work in a pet store with both mice and gerbils (all males, we don't have females in the store) and believe me, mice smell MUCH worse than gerbils. If you keep the cage clean, they don't smell bad. Not even close to mice, WHEW! ;P

Answer 3

Gerbils, being desert animals, produce less urine. Less urine = less smell. As long as you clean the cage out enough, the smell should be minimal. The gerbils, themselves, may have a faint wood smell to them if you use wood shavings. Other than that, you probably won't notice.

I keep my gerbils in my room and clean their cage out every 2-3 weeks. Honestly, if I blind-folded you, walked you in my room, and told you take a big whiff, you'd never know I have gerbils in here. I'm a freak when it comes to my room smelling or being overly unorganized. If I'm able to keep a pet in my room, they can't have an over-powering smell. Gerbils definitely have a slight smell, if any.

Answer 4

Live your life is right they dont smell if u clean them I clean mine every 2 weeks and they are also in my room.

Answer 5

A well looked after gerbil has a sweet smell to him or her, and bottom male and female smell the same!

If you gave your gerbil a good sand bath every now and then they be fine, if you gerbil smells bad your not look after them right!

O and hay has a strong smell and if you like the smell it make a great bedding

Answer 6

Gerbils tend to smell less than other rodents. I have had just about every rodent(gerbils, mice, rats, etc) and the gerbils have been the best as far as smell is concerned. I think it is fair to say that by cleaning the cage about 2 times a week, there is basically no smell. Make sure you wash out the cage AND toys and you should be fine.

Male mice do have a musky smell(which gerbils don't have). Some people are more sensitives to the smell than others. You do not have to worry about the musky smell with gerbils(male or female), just keep the cage clean and it should be fine.

Answer 7

Gerbils do not smell. Their cages smell, but the cage only smells if you do not clean it often enough.

Answer 8

I think all rodents do.

Answer 9

hamsters and gerbils have a slight odor.  it's just their natural scent.  it't not overpowering.  at least, it never was for me.  just make sure the cage is clean enough.  if it's not then of course there is going to be odor.  change cages every week or a week and a half at most.

Answer 10

gerbils don't really smell all that much cause i have 2 mail and they only smell if u like put them right up to ur nose and with my gerbils they have a washroom and it smells a little but i got this habitrail litter for it and it doesn't smell at all. If you do get gerbils i suggest to mails cause if u just get one then he gets really lonely and make sure they are from the same litter if you do get 2.

Answer 11

only if you don't clean out their cage enough

Answer 12

try using something other than wood shaving for the cage

wood shavings) + (rodent pee) = BAAAAAD SMELL

Answer 13

Well all rodents smell bad if you don't clean their cage once a week. Gerbils smell the least because they drink less water (less likely to pee or p**p).  I would suggest getting a female gerbil/mouse this time because their urine does not smell as strong as males. Yes, I have had experience!

P.S. do not believe the guy who gave me a thumbs down, she just wants hers to be the best answer

Answer 14

Gerbils have an extremely mild odor especially compared to mice and other rodents.

Answer 15

I currently own 11 gerbils , mine smell time to time, If you clean their cage often they won't. Unless your planning on having 5 males in one cage like mine , then I suggest not to worry about them smelling.

Answer 16

i believe the gerbil pees more then the mice

and if your don't clean the cage, it can get stinky

but to tell you i only had a hamster which pees an ok amount

Answer 17

All roadents are stinky.