How much do I need to have for a gerbil?

Question

How much money should I have in all if Im thinking on buying a gerbil?

Answer 1

It really depends on where you get stuff and what you get. I spent around $100 for the initial cost, and this includes my two gerbils. I'd say the cheapest you can go is probably around $75.

Please keep in mind that gerbils are social animals and should be kept in same s*x pairs. Lone gerbils tend to live shorter, less healthy lives. They can become unsocial with humans. Two isn't more work than one. In fact, one may be more work, because you have to find more free time to spend with it to try and make up for the lack of companionship. No matter how much time you spend with a lone gerbil, though, it doesn't make up for the fact that the lone gerbil must sleep alone, eat alone, groom itself, and play with itself when you're not around. You can't be there 24/7.

As others have said, you may want to consider getting a tank with a mesh lid instead of a hamster cage. Gerbils are big diggers. You're able to add lots of bedding to a tank without it flying everywhere. Any bedding you put in a hamster cage, which really isn't enough for them to dig in, will probably end up all over the floor resulting in you having to vacuum every day. Gerbils also love chewing. They can and will chew plastic. They may also choose to chew on the wire bars of the hamster cage which can become annoying and rub the fur off their nose. They could chew their way out. Hamster cages are usually painfully small. Gerbils are active animals, so they need room. In the long run, if you think about it, a hamster cage may cost you more money than a tank would if you have to keep replacing it or keep buying more hamster cages to try and give your gerbils more space. For a pair of gerbils, I recommend a 15-20 gallon tank. You can find them brand new at your local pet store, but they can be pricey. http://www.craigslist.com may have cheaper tanks that people are selling. They're usually just as good as a brand new tank. As long as the tank doesn't have any big cracks that could hurt the gerbils and is clean, it'll work. You just have to get a mesh lid (found in the reptile section of the pet store) for the tank. A 10 gallon tank is okay for a pair but really not ideal. When you start adding things, you'll realize they don't have much room to run around and play. You could get a 10 gallon tank and add a wire cage topper to it to expand the room, but it'd probably be better just to spend money on a larger tank and lid. Below, I'll post the tank toppers I recommend.

If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me. I'd be glad to help answer them. Good luck with the new gerbil(s)

Answer 2

Well over $100. A gerbil might be cheap but remember you're also going to need a cage, bedding, food, and toys. You're going to have to continuously buy new bedding and food too, maybe even once every month. But don't buy the cedar bedding. It may be cheap but it can harm the lungs of your gerbil.

Answer 3

Atleast $35 dollars and $5 every other week. upto $20 for a cage, 3 for a water bottle, 2 for a food dish and for a wheel and plastic toys and some wood shavings for $10 . food usualy coasts 2- 3 dollars and for wood shavings about 3 for a bag. Change the shavings in the cage 2 times a month.  

Answer 4

You can get everything you need if you buy the right stuff for 50 bucks. Don't get a hamster cage get a ten gallon tank.

Answer 5

well it depends on the gerbil, but you need food cage toys, you know the basics. to be safe, $100 ?  

Answer 6

gerbils are about $12.00

at pet smart cheapest  cage is about $24.00

5 toys are about $30.00

water and food about $10.00

hay about $5.00

that's some stuff all that = to $81.00

if i were you i would rather use a fish tank instead of a cage

Answer 7

30-50 dollars

Answer 8

$100 for everything

Answer 9

probably about 100$   it depends on what kind of deals you get