Bedding and Litter

Breeder of Mongolian Gerbils and Southern Flying Squirrels

Worcester - Providence - Framingham

978-494-4727

Gerbils need to have some sort of bedding on the cage floor. Bedding provides entertainment for your gerbils, they will dig tunnels through it, pile it into nests and shred it which helps maintain their teeth. Bedding also helps to absorb the “rodent smell” in their urine.

Always choose beddings that are low in dust. Dust is an irritant and can cause an allergic or asthmatic reaction in both gerbils and people. Gerbils will get red, itchy noses, often these will be scratched till they bleed. Also the dust will be kicked up by the gerbils activities and will spread around the room.

There are two main types of bedding:

Wood Shavings: Aspen, and other wood shavings

Paper Beddings: Carefresh, Eco-Bedding and ther paper beddings

Other Alternatives

Walnut Shell, corncob, coconut fiber, pelleted newsprint, wood pellets, and other beddings sold for small animals are appropriate if they are not made from Cedar or Pine. The effectiveness and usefulness of these beddings vary. Many do not offer the ability to build tunnels.

Nesting Materials

The absolute best material for nest making, believe it or not, is actually toilet paper or tissue. Its is soft and easily fluffed into a warm nest. Paper towels also work, but are not nearly as soft. Do not use any of the “fluff” sold in pet stores. These contain fibers that can become tied around gerbils feet. If the gerbil accidentally ingests the fibers, it can cause blockages. For the same reason do not give your gerbils any fabric, cotton balls, or old clothing.

Odor Reduction

DO NOT USE CAT LITTER. Zeo-lite and carbon are two aquarium products for fish that can be used with gerbils. Baking soda is also effective. All three will absorb the smells released by the gerbils. To be on the safe side place a pouch just outside the cage above or next to.

Cleaners

There are plenty of cleaning products designed for use with small animals, kittens, and puppies. Regular cleaners are too abrasive and toxic to be used with gerbils. A diluted bleach solution can also be used. Selecting a cleaner that has natural enzymes in it will work to biologically clean up certain smells like urine, and eliminate them, instead of masking it. Clorox or alcohol wipes are also a quick and easy way to wipe out and dysinfect a cage.