Small pets
Gerbil cages
Small pets, big personalities.
13 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.
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All gerbil cages
Little essentials. Lots of love.
Glass hamster cages
Glass-Base Hamster Cage with Platforms, Ramps, Wheel and Hut
- Options
- 2 to choose from
From $113.99
A little guidance
Help choosing gerbil cages
Buying guides and care advice written for this range: what to measure, what matters and what to skip.
From our guides
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- Best Hamster Cage: How to Choose for Syrian or Dwarf →
This page holds cages suited to gerbils: wire rodent habitats around 22.8 and 29.5 inches long, oversized wooden cages, three-tier wooden cages for mice and rats, five-level cages with tunnels, and small animal cages with water bottles, food dishes and wheels that suit gerbils and dwarf hamsters. It is for new gerbil owners and anyone upgrading a pair to a roomier home with space to dig.
What gerbils need from a cage
Gerbils are desert burrowers. In the wild they dig deep tunnel systems, and in captivity they need a home where they can do the same. That means a deep base for bedding, plenty of floor space, and very secure construction, because gerbils are expert chewers and escape through surprisingly small gaps.
Gerbils are also social. VCA notes that a pair can be bonded if introduced before eight weeks of age, and once bonded should not be separated, so most gerbil cages need room for two.
Deep bases matter most
Many cages marketed for hamsters have a shallow plastic tray. Gerbils kick bedding everywhere from a shallow tray and cannot burrow properly. Look for a base several inches deep, or a wooden cage with a deep floor, so you can pile in paper bedding for tunnels.
VCA notes that glass aquariums of at least 10 gallons with a secure top suit hamster and gerbil-sized rodents, and many keepers combine a deep tank base with a wire top for both burrowing and airflow.
Wire, wooden and multi-level cages
Wire cages give excellent ventilation and let you hang toys and bottles on the bars. Check bar spacing: gerbils can squeeze through gaps wide enough for their head. Wooden cages look attractive and hold deep bedding, but VCA cautions that wood can be chewed through and is hard to disinfect, so check for raw edges and plan to replace parts.
Multi-level cages with tubes and platforms add climbing space, but floor area matters more to gerbils than height. Keep drops low.
Bedding and setup
VCA recommends paper-based bedding and warns that cedar shavings can irritate the respiratory tract. Fill the base deep, add hay for structure so tunnels hold their shape, and give a hide, a sand bath dish and plenty of cardboard to shred.
A solid running wheel is important; VCA warns that wire and open-track wheels can trap feet. Gerbils need a larger wheel than you might expect, with a solid surface, so check the wheel that comes with any cage.
Chewing and escape
Gerbils chew everything. Plastic tubes, shelves and doors will be gnawed, so give wooden chews and cardboard as an outlet and check the cage weekly for weak points. Make sure doors close securely and clips are fastened.
Place the cage away from direct sun, drafts and other pets. A gerbil that escapes can hide in furniture and walls, so check the room is safe before any time out of the cage.
Cleaning and health
Gerbils produce little urine and the cage stays fresher than many rodent cages. Spot clean soiled corners weekly and do a partial bedding change, keeping some old bedding so the scent stays familiar. A full clean every few weeks is enough for most setups.
Watch for weight loss, a wet or dirty rear, sneezing, discharge from the eyes or nose, or fur loss on the nose from bar chewing. An exotic pet vet can check any of these. Gerbils hide illness, so changes are worth acting on early.
What size cage do gerbils need?
As large as possible, with a deep base for burrowing. VCA's minimum for a gerbil-sized rodent in a glass tank is 10 gallons, and a pair benefits from much more.
Can gerbils live in hamster cages?
Only if the base is deep enough to burrow and bars are close enough to prevent escape. Shallow trays are a poor fit.
Should gerbils live in pairs?
Yes, gerbils are social. VCA notes pairs bond best if introduced before eight weeks of age and should not be separated afterwards.
What bedding is best for gerbils?
Paper-based bedding, piled deep with some hay. VCA advises avoiding cedar shavings.
Are wooden gerbil cages a good idea?
They hold deep bedding well, but gerbils chew wood and it is hard to disinfect. Check and repair them regularly.