Playing with and Training Your Gerbil
Gerbils are naturally curious, active animals that live in large social groups in the wild. They spend their days digging extensive burrow systems, foraging, and interacting with their group. In captivity, providing adequate enrichment — especially opportunities to dig and forage — is essential for their psychological wellbeing.1
The Importance of Deep Substrate
The single most important enrichment for gerbils is deep substrate for burrowing. Gerbils should have at least 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) of substrate — a mix of paper-based bedding and hay works well. They will construct elaborate tunnel systems and spend hours rearranging their burrow. This is not optional enrichment; it is a fundamental behavioral need.2
Enrichment Ideas
| Enrichment Type | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Digging | Deep substrate mix, sand digging box |
| Chewing | Cardboard tubes, wooden blocks, cork bark, pumice stones |
| Foraging | Scatter seeds in substrate, hide treats in cardboard |
| Climbing | Branches, cork rounds, wooden platforms |
| Nesting | Tissue paper, hay, coconut fiber for nest building |
| Sand bath | Chinchilla sand (not dust) for grooming |
Gerbils are highly destructive in the best possible way — they will shred, chew, and demolish cardboard enrichment items enthusiastically. Provide a constant supply of cardboard boxes and tubes.
Training Your Gerbils
Gerbils are quick learners and, because they are social animals that are naturally curious about humans, they can be tamed and trained relatively easily. Training is best done with both gerbils together, as they are less stressed when with their bonded partner.3
Simple behaviors to teach:
- Target training: Use a small stick or your finger as a target. Reward when they touch it with their nose. Use the target to guide them onto your hand, through tunnels, or around an obstacle course.
- Come when called: Pair a specific sound (a click, a whistle, or their name) with a treat every time they approach. They will begin to associate the sound with reward.
- Obstacle course: Set up a simple course with tunnels, ramps, and bridges. Guide them through with the target stick.
Note on handling: Always scoop gerbils from below — never grab from above, as this mimics a predator attack and will cause fear. Support their full body weight and keep them low to a surface.
Out-of-Cage Time
Gerbils can have supervised out-of-cage time in a secure playpen. Ensure the area is escape-proof (gerbils are excellent at finding gaps) and free of electrical cords and toxic materials. Provide tunnels and hideouts in the playpen so they feel secure.4