What are the pros and cons of owning a gerbil?

Question

I am settled on a gerbil! Please don't say 'get a rat' or 'get a hamster'!

Thanks so much in advance!

Answer 1

Pros:

- Friendly and curious, will go to investigate if you put a new item in their cage/gerbilarium.

- Don't smell like hammies, because they are desert animals and do not drink or eat much.

- Can learn you by smell and climb into your hand.

- Love to dig and make extensive tunnels, if they are in a clear aquarium when doing so you can see their little underground cities. Fun to watch. ^^

- Won't bite or nibble as much as hamsters, however, any animal CAN bite, this is just saying that gerbils don't tend to do it as often as other small critters.

- Easy to hold once they get used to you.

- More intelligent than most people think...although they are like cats, intelligent but not necessarily willing to be "trained."

- If they know you well, they can be taught to take food from your hand. I reccommend starting with sunflower seeds and holding them in front of the gerb with the pointed side facing them.

- Are extremely dexterous and can eat, wash their face, burrow, etc. with their small and delicate front paws...yet at the same time their large and powerful back legs are built for running and jumping. Gerbils can jump very high and become escape artists if the lid is left off of their cage.

- The lifespan of a gerbil is significantly longer than that of most other small rodent species. Whereas a hamster lives only 2-3 years, a gerbil can live anywhere from 3-5 or even SIX wonderful years if properly cared for, is living with a cagemate, and has never been bred.

- Gerbils are not nocturnal like other small rodents, they are awake during large parts and the day and are for the most part asleep when we are, so no noisy wheel-running to wake you up in the middle of the night! x3

Cons:

- Need at least a day or two alone in their new cage when they are at their new home to adjust to their surroundings.

- Need TONS of chewing material. As their teeth are constantly growing, if they go too long without material to knaw on their teeth will literally grow into their bottom jaw, preventing them from eating. Very serious matter, so always keep your gerbil stocked with toilet paper tubes and other wooden toys or things. Not only does it provide dental care, it's also fun for them. Keep in mind, no plastic, rubber, or cotton can be used as chewing material.

One more side note. This is VERY important. Gerbils are highly social animals and should ALWAYS be kept in pairs or trios of the same gender [unless you want to breed, but for a first time owner that's not advisable.] For males, two or three is a fine number, but girls should only be kept in pairs. They crave the companionship of other gerbils and will become very depressed and lonely without a cagemate. Never mix gerbils with other rodent species, however, and if you obtain two gerbils from seperate litters, make sure to introduce them properly through the "Split Cage Method" [do a google search, there's lots of stuff about it.] PLEASE, Never keep gerbs alone. <3

** If you want a gerb to match your lifestyle, decide on their gender from the general differences in personality of male and female. Males are generally calmer and willing to sit in your hand for long periods of time without squirming, but are less likely to be active and running about in their cage. Females are more playful and inquisitive, but much harder to hold, as they want to constantly be going someplace and doing something. Fun to watch but difficult to hold. [Please note these descriptions don't obtain to all gerbils, only a majority.]

~Gerbilicious

Answer 2

Gerbils are amazing little critters.

They don't stink, they are very active (unlike hamsters), and they love exploring. They are also really cute. I would defienitly get the gerbils from a breeder. Never ever EVER a pet store. It's like a puppy mill but for gerbils...

You should also get two, either two females or two males. If you feel you want to start breeding get a male and female, but pick the nicest ones. Mostly when you get them from a breeder they will be tammed and healthy looking.

Hope this helped and good luck!

Answer 3

Pros:

- They're active throughout the day and night.

- They're social, and should be kept in same s*x pairs.

- They're entertaining.

- They make great tunnels.

- They, generally, only bite when scared or feel threatened.

- They don't mind if you wake them up to play.

- They live up to 5 years.

- They're desert animals and produce less urine. Less urine = less smell

Cons:

- They're not cuddly.

- They'd much rather run around than be held for long periods of time.

- They need to chew and love digging, so hamster cages aren't ideal.

Those are all the ones I can think of right now. To be honest, I really don't understand why you insist on getting only one gerbil. Gerbils are social and should be kept in same s*x pairs. I know you know this. Lone gerbils tend to live shorter, less healthy lives. They can become very unhappy and unsocial with humans. One gerbil can be more work than two, because you have to find extra time to spend with it. No matter how much time you spend with it, though, you simply can't make up for the fact that a lone gerbil must sleep alone, groom itself, and play with itself when you're not around. It's best to get two. Both a pair of males and a pair of females is great. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 4

Pros:

There are a lot of pros to having a gerbil, like they remeber you, they come up to when your unhappy, they make you feel better by picking them up(scientificly proven). They are way more.

Cons:

The main one is, that they only live three and half to five years(my gerbils died this year but i got new ones). Also when your going on holidays you have to get someone to mind them. Thats basicly(not all them) it.

You should def get a gerbil. They're so great. But get TWO. They hate being alone. And if you get two boys they could fight(my cousin had two boy gerbils, they fought and one ate the other, so it's best to get girls).

Answer 5

Pros:They are very smart and they don't nearly stink.They don't bite as much and even when they do,it doesn't hurt as much as hamsters.I have 14 gerbils(they had baby's)and I had had hamsters and others pets and I think that gerbils are really really good pets!!!!!!!!!!Plus these guys look so cute at times.

Cons:There not as smart as rats.

Oh yeah,but they can do obstacle courses!!!And there pretty good at it too!!!!!