| Item Cost Recurring Cost? | The gerbil $5 to $10 No | Cage (gerbilarium) $50 to $60, plus $50 for ‘furniture' like wheels, toys, and a water bottle No | Food $10 per bag, 5-6 bags per year per gerbil Yes | Bedding (substrate) Roughly $50-100 per year Yes |
|---|
How much is a vet bill for a gerbil?
A vet checkup for a gerbil will generally cost around $40 each time. It's recommended that you take your gerbil in for at least one checkup annually, and it can be a great way to ensure that there are no underlying problems you're not aware of. Older gerbils should see the vet twice a year.
How much do gerbils cost monthly?
| Food and Supply Costs for Gerbils | Cost Type Frequency Average Cost | Toys Monthly $10 | Additional Supplies Monthly $5 | Total = $40 |
|---|
What do I need to buy for my gerbil?
- appropriately sized habitat.
- high quality gerbil food.
- treats.
- bedding.
- nesting fluff.
- food bowl/water bottle.
- exercise wheel.
- hideaway place.
Are gerbils more expensive than hamsters?
Hamsters and gerbils cost roughly the same amount
. While they are different species, their care is quite similar. There are several costs you have to consider the cost of the following: Pet itself.
Do gerbils like to be held?
Are Gerbils Affectionate Pets? Gerbils are affectionate pets that show affection towards other gerbils and humans. You can show affection by petting, holding, or cuddling your gerbil.
Most gerbils will like a basic form of affection
, like being pet or held.
What do you put at the bottom of a gerbil cage?
White paper towels
that are cut up into small scraps also can work, but can sometimes capture unpleasant odors more quickly. Put a minimum of 3 inches of the appropriate material of your choice into your pet's cage. That way he can comfortably dig all he wants.
How often should I clean my gerbil cage?
You should clean your gerbilarium
every two to three weeks
, or more often if it gets dirty. Because gerbils originate from desert and dry grassland areas, they do not produce much urine and waste, so it's fairly easy to keep their environment clean and free from smells.
Do gerbils pee a lot?
Because gerbils originate from desert and dry grassland areas,
they do not produce much urine and waste
, so it's fairly easy to keep their environment clean and free from smells.
Do gerbils need a wheel?
Many gerbils
enjoy running on wheels
. Any wheels should have a solid surface and have a solid back wall. Their tails and other body parts can get caught in and injured on wheels with rungs or cross-supports. A solid wheel such as a Silent Spinner or Wodent Wheel is a good choice.
Are gerbils smelly?
Gerbils produce little urine and feces. This causes them to have
little to no smell (odor)
. Gerbils do use scent glands on their stomachs to mark their territory but this doesn't cause a bad smell. … In this article, you'll learn why gerbils are almost odorless and usually don't cause bad smells.
Are gerbils or hamsters nicer?
As you can see, both hamsters and gerbils have their specific strengths and weaknesses. It would be wrong to say that either pet is necessarily “better” than the other.
Overall gerbils seem to offer rather more than hamsters
, and so make for a rather more enjoyable pet.
What type of gerbil lives the longest?
Fat-tailed (also called Duprasi) gerbils
have a longer life expectancy than Mongolian gerbils. They will generally live between 5 and 8 years in captivity. This kind of gerbil also is less likely to bite but is less common as a pet.
How long can gerbils be left alone?
While not recommended, it's possible. With preparation, gerbils can be left alone
for up to a week
. Leave at least one tablespoon of food per gerbil per day. Attach two water bottles in case one leaks or gets blocked.
Do gerbils get lonely?
Sadly,
gerbils do get lonely
. They are social creatures who are at their happiest living in a group or colony of other gerbils. If they are separated from the group, they are deprived of social interaction and this makes them lonely.
