Gerbils are curious, friendly diggers that are awake more during the day than hamsters. They rarely bite, love to build tunnels, and are happiest living with a same-sex buddy.
Is a gerbil a good pet for kids?
Quick answer: Gerbils are great pets for most kids. Gerbils are curious, friendly diggers that are awake more during the day than hamsters.
- 👍 Best for: awake more during the day than hamsters, love to dig and tunnel
- 👀 Keep in mind: should live in pairs
- ⏳ Lifespan: 3–4 years
- 💲 Ongoing cost: about $10–$20/mo (setup & vet extra)
📋 Gerbil at a glance
Should I get a gerbil?
💚 Why you'll love a gerbil
- Awake more during the day than hamsters
- Friendly and rarely bite
- Love to dig and tunnel
- Small and inexpensive
⚠️ Things to know
- Should live in pairs
- Need deep bedding to burrow
- Short lifespan
- Quick — can be tricky to catch
The honest answer: Yes, if you buy a deep tank and two of them - gerbils are busy desert diggers who would rather build tunnels than sit still.
👍 Get one if…
- Your kids want to watch tunnels appear overnight
- You're buying a deep tank instead of a cage
- You're taking home two young gerbils at once
- You're tired of a hamster that sleeps all day
👎 Think again if…
- You'd start with one gerbil and add another later
- You're reusing an old wire hamster cage
- Your under-5s grab at a fast, wriggly animal
- You couldn't face losing both within four years
✅ Am I ready for a gerbil?
Wanting one and being ready for one are different questions. These are the ones worth answering honestly before you decide — there are no wrong answers, and a "not yet" is a perfectly good result.
Gerbils need to live in pairs (same-family pairs are best). Could you get two?
- Two diggers, double fun — yes
- Maybe
- Just one
If that one gave you pause: Plan for a same-sex pair from the same litter — a lonely gerbil gets sad and stressed.
Gerbils are tunnel-building machines that need SUPER deep bedding (20+ cm) to dig in. Can you set that up?
- A deep digging palace — yes!
- I thought a normal cage was fine
- I just have a small cage
If that one gave you pause: Look up a "gerbilarium" with a grown-up — a tank with deep bedding for tunnels is what makes gerbils happiest.
How to care for your Gerbil
Gerbil care in depth
Gerbils vs. hamsters — and why gerbils need a friend
Gerbils are often compared to hamsters, but they're a better fit for many families: they're awake more during the day, rarely bite, and are curious and busy. The big difference is company — unlike solitary Syrian hamsters, gerbils are social and must live with a same-sex companion (a pair of sisters or brothers), or they get lonely and depressed. Introduce young gerbils together; adult strangers can fight, so a bonded pair from the start is best.
A deep tank for tunneling, not a wire cage
Gerbils are desert diggers with a powerful urge to burrow and tunnel, so the classic wire hamster cage is wrong for them — bedding falls out and they can't dig. Instead use a deep glass tank or "gerbilarium" with a secure mesh lid and a thick layer of bedding (6 to 10 inches) so they can build a network of tunnels. Add a solid wheel, hides, and plenty of safe things to gnaw, since gerbils chew constantly to keep their ever-growing teeth in check.
Feeding, handling, and health
Feed a quality gerbil seed/pellet mix with occasional fresh veggies and a little protein, plus fresh water. Gerbils are naturally tame and rarely bite; to build trust, cup them in your hands low over a surface and never grab the tail — the skin can slough off (a "tail slip"). They're quick, so handle low and calmly. Keep bedding dry to protect their skin and eyes, and give constant chew toys to prevent overgrown teeth. Gerbils live about 3–4 years.
Gerbils are busy, friendly little diggers that love company — keep two so they're never lonely. They live 3–4 years and rarely bite.
✅ Before you bring a gerbil home
🗓️ Your routine — easy chores to remember
- Fresh water and food
- Quick check that both gerbils are active
- A little gentle handling
- Spot-clean and refresh the sand bath
- Wash dishes and bottle
- Add fresh chews
- Full tank clean with new bedding
- Weigh and health-check
- Exotic-vet visit if something's wrong
💰 Monthly cost: Low: tank, bedding, wheel, and food — best kept as a pair.
🤩 Fun facts about your Gerbil
Gerbils are desert animals and barely need to drink — they get water from food.
❓ Common questions about gerbils
How much does a gerbil cost per month?
Plan on roughly $10–$20 per month for food and supplies. Low: tank, bedding, wheel, and food — best kept as a pair.
Are gerbils good pets for kids?
Yes! Gerbils rate 4/5 for kid-friendliness. Cup them in your hands low over a surface; never grab the tail. Daily gentle handling tames them.
How long do gerbils live?
Gerbils typically live 3–4 years. Make sure your family is ready for that commitment before bringing one home.
Are gerbils allergy-friendly?
Gerbils have fur and their bedding makes dust, which can bother allergies.
Should I get a gerbil?
Yes, if you buy a deep tank and two of them - gerbils are busy desert diggers who would rather build tunnels than sit still. Get one if: Your kids want to watch tunnels appear overnight; You're buying a deep tank instead of a cage; You're taking home two young gerbils at once; You're tired of a hamster that sleeps all day. Think again if: You'd start with one gerbil and add another later; You're reusing an old wire hamster cage; Your under-5s grab at a fast, wriggly animal; You couldn't face losing both within four years.
Are gerbils good pets for kids?
Yes — gerbils are friendly, curious, rarely bite, and are awake more during the day than hamsters, which makes them a good hands-on small pet for gentle, supervised children. They must be kept in same-sex pairs, so plan for two.
Do gerbils need to live in pairs?
Yes. Gerbils are social and become lonely and depressed alone, so keep a same-sex pair. It's easiest to house young gerbils together from the start, since introducing adult strangers can lead to fighting.
What kind of cage do gerbils need?
A deep glass tank or "gerbilarium" with a secure mesh lid and 6 to 10 inches of bedding for tunneling — not a standard wire hamster cage, which lets bedding fall out and prevents digging. Add a solid wheel, hides, and chew toys.
How long do gerbils live?
About 3 to 4 years with good care. They're a shorter-lived small pet, so they suit families ready for that commitment and the eventual goodbye.
🎬 Gerbil care videos
Watch beginner-friendly care videos for your gerbil.
▶ Watch Gerbil care videos on YouTube📚 Where this comes from
We check our care advice against vets, animal charities, and government health guidance. Here is what this page is built on.
Vets, charities & official guidance
- Providing a home for a gerbil — Merck Veterinary Manual
- Caring for your gerbil — Blue Cross
- Keeping gerbils together — RSPCA
- Caring for your pet gerbils: health and teeth — RSPCA
- Is a gerbil the right pet for you? — PDSA
Checked August 2026. These are other people’s websites, and none of it replaces your own vet — if a pet seems unwell, call one.
