Chloe Zhang
Gerbils are active, inquisitive, and friendly creatures that make great pets. However, they are known for their constant digging and gnawing, which can make finding a suitable cage a challenge. Gerbils have upper incisor teeth that never stop growing, so they need to chew to keep their teeth from overgrowing. This means they can easily chew through plastic cages, and owners must be careful to provide a safe environment to avoid escape attempts or injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gerbils chew through plastic cages | Yes |
| Gerbils chew through plastic accessories | Yes |
| Gerbils chew through plastic wheels | Yes |
| Gerbils chew through plastic tubes | Yes |
| Gerbils chew through plastic toys | Yes |
| Gerbils chew through metal cages | No |
| Gerbils chew through glass cages | No |
| Gerbils chew through wood | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Gerbils can chew through solid plastic and wood
Gerbils are enthusiastic chewers and will gnaw on anything they can get their teeth around. This is an instinctual behaviour as it helps them wear down their front teeth, which grow throughout their lives. Gerbils can and will chew through solid plastic and wood.
Gerbils are known to chew through plastic cages, plastic mazes, and other plastic items in their habitats. While plastic is not good for gerbils to ingest, it is challenging to stop them from chewing on plastic when it is available in their environment. Responsible gerbil owners should avoid providing plastic items in their gerbil's cage and opt for glass or metal alternatives.
Untreated wood items, such as those made from apple, pear, grape, hazel, ash, sycamore, willow, and hawthorn trees, are safe for gerbils to chew on. Gerbils can also safely consume cardboard, rope, leather, and plant-based materials, such as woven hay, grasses, and corn fibres.
It is important to ensure that any wood or plant-based items given to gerbils are clean, safe, and free from chemicals or treatments. Baking wood is one way to ensure that no living organisms remain, but it may not remove all chemicals. Gerbil owners should avoid driftwood and unidentified wood, as the chemicals and treatments used on these materials may be unknown and harmful to gerbils.
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Gerbils can chew through plastic wheels and toys
Gerbils are known to chew on everything around them, including plastic, wood, cardboard, and cloth. This is because chewing serves two purposes for them: producing a soft substance for bedding and wearing down their front teeth, which constantly grow throughout their lives. As a result, gerbils can indeed chew through plastic wheels and toys.
Gerbils may also accidentally ingest plastic while chewing on toys, which can irritate or harm their stomachs. Therefore, it is recommended to provide them with alternative chewables that are safer and equally satisfying. Untreated wood toys are a good option, as they are readily available in most pet stores and provide a similar chewing experience without the risk of ingesting harmful materials.
Some gerbil owners have suggested using a wooden wheel instead of a plastic one to prevent their pets from chewing through it. While this may be a more durable option, some gerbils may still attempt to chew on the wooden wheel, especially if they have already developed a taste for chewing on plastic. In this case, it is recommended to treat the wooden wheel with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar to deter them from chewing.
Additionally, providing a variety of chew toys and rotating them regularly can help keep gerbils entertained and less likely to chew on their plastic wheels and toys. Gerbils can get bored, and offering new and interesting items to chew on can help prevent destructive behaviour. It is also important to ensure that your gerbil does not have mouth or tooth pain, as this can also contribute to excessive chewing. Regular veterinary check-ups can help identify any potential issues and ensure your gerbil's teeth are healthy and properly aligned.
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Gerbils need to chew to stop teeth overgrowing
Gerbils are active diggers and gnawers, and they need to chew to prevent their teeth from overgrowing. Gerbils have upper incisor teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives, so they must be provided with wood or other chewable materials to keep their teeth from overgrowing. Overgrown teeth are one of the more common health issues related to gerbils.
Gerbils will chew on anything they can get their teeth on, including plastic, wood, and metal. As a result, gerbil owners should be careful about the type of cage and accessories they choose. Plastic cages, for example, are generally unsuitable for gerbils because they can easily chew through them and escape or injure themselves. Gerbils have been known to chew through solid plastic and wood, as well as cardboard and paper.
To prevent gerbils from chewing through their cages, owners should consider using a metal or glass cage. An old fish tank with a close-fitting lid, for example, can make a great gerbil cage. Separate lids made of metal that allow airflow are also available for fish tanks.
In addition to providing a safe and secure home, gerbil owners should also offer their pets a variety of chewable toys and materials to help keep their teeth trim. Cardboard tubes, boxes, egg cartons, and hay are all popular options that gerbils enjoy chewing and making nests with. Gerbils also love to climb and chew on branches from fruit trees. These options provide safe and entertaining alternatives to plastic toys, which gerbils can easily destroy and potentially ingest.
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Gerbils can be kept in old fish tanks
Old fish tanks, on the other hand, are made of glass and can be a good option for gerbil cages. They are also available in a range of sizes, which is important as gerbils require a lot of space. A pair of gerbils should have a cage that is at least 90 cm long. A 40-gallon tank is considered the minimum size for two gerbils, but a larger tank is preferable. For example, one gerbil owner reported keeping their pair of gerbils in a 100 cm by 50 cm by 50 cm tank.
When setting up a gerbil tank, it is important to provide a secure lid to prevent escape. Separate metal lids are available for fish tanks, which allow airflow into the cage. It is also important to provide bedding, a wheel, sand for bathing, and other forms of enrichment to keep your gerbil entertained and prevent boredom.
Overall, old fish tanks can make suitable homes for gerbils, provided they are made of glass and are large enough to provide adequate space for these active creatures.
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Gerbils can chew through plastic cage accessories
Gerbils are active, lively, and inquisitive creatures that require specialist housing. They are obsessive nibblers and will chew on anything they can get their teeth on, including their cage and its accessories. Gerbils have upper incisor teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives, so they need to chew to keep their teeth from overgrowing. This means that gerbils can and will chew through plastic cage accessories.
Gerbils can chew through even the most solid plastic, as well as wood. This makes plastic cages and accessories inappropriate for gerbils. Gerbil owners have reported their pets chewing through plastic cage lids and other plastic accessories, leading to escape attempts. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid plastic cages and accessories altogether when housing gerbils.
Gerbils' constant chewing can also be quite annoying for owners, as the noise of non-stop gnawing on cage bars or plastic can be disruptive. Additionally, gerbils can remove the protective covering on cage bars over time, damaging the cage. This behavior also applies to plastic accessories, which gerbils will quickly destroy.
Instead of plastic, gerbil owners can provide cardboard, wood, or metal accessories for their pets to chew on. Gerbils enjoy climbing and chewing on branches from fruit trees, as well as cardboard tubes, boxes, and egg boxes. These alternatives provide safe and cheap entertainment for gerbils, allowing them to satisfy their natural chewing instincts without damaging their cages or harming themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, gerbils can and will chew through plastic cages. They are obsessive nibblers with constantly growing teeth, so they will chew through plastic with ease.
Gerbils are known escape artists, so they will likely chew through a plastic cage and escape. Plastic cages also don't provide enough bedding for gerbils to dig and burrow, which is an important part of their natural behaviour.
The safest cages for gerbils are made of metal or glass, as these materials cannot be chewed through. A good option is a glass aquarium with a metal lid that allows airflow.
