Are you looking for ways to keep your gerbil busy and help him stay in shape? You’re in luck! There are plenty of fun exercises that can give your pet a much-needed workout, all while stimulating his mind.
- Construct an exercise wheel for your gerbil – give them plenty of space to run and play
- Offer your gerbil blocks and tunnels they can crawl through or over
- Set up a puzzle feeder or maze for them to explore and navigate
- Hang a playground in the cage for them to jump on and around
- Give your gerbil an obstacle course, including balls, bridges, and mazes
- Make sure to provide plenty of bedding material so they can make themselves a burrow within their environment
How do gerbils get exercise?
Gerbils are active little critters, and they need plenty of exercises to stay healthy. While in the wild, a gerbil will naturally run around in its natural environment, captive gerbils need enrichment that encourages them to run and move.
A great way to encourage exercise is by providing an appropriate wheel in their enclosure, which they can climb onto and run around. Besides running in a wheel, you can also enrich their environment with tunnels and toys such as chewable wooden ladders or cardboard rolls so they have someplace fun to explore.
Beyond physical exercise, there’s also mental stimulation that is important for their well-being, so make sure your gerbil has plenty of tricks and activities to keep them entertained. With the right environment and enrichment activities, your furry friend can get all the exercise they need!
Do gerbils need exercise balls?
Gerbils are natural explorers, and their wild cousins often roam for miles each day. Without something to satisfy their instinct to explore, a bored gerbil can become lethargic, stressed out, and even depressed.
That’s why many pet owners opt to pick up an exercise ball to allow their four-legged pal to get in a little bit of exercise while they’re shut away in their cage.
Exercise balls come in all shapes, sizes, and colors so you can find one that fits your style and/or your gerbil’s personality. Your gerbil will appreciate it if you place the ball next to their food bowl or another favorite spot so they can easily pop inside!
How do I keep my gerbil entertained?
Keeping your gerbil entertained can be a fun and easy process. Start by setting up their cage with plenty of room for them to climb, explore and play. Give them items like tunnels, mazes, chew tubes, and platforms that will encourage them to stay active.
Your gerbil can also be given plenty of stimulating toys such as tracks for marbles, wooden cubes to chew on, spools or paper towel tubes for them to crawl in, and bells for them to hang from the wire supports at the top of the cage.
Additionally, offering your gerbil a wheel is a great way to keep it entertained while also helping it get exercise – make sure the wheel is metal or plastic so they don’t get hurt while running in it! Lastly, spend time interacting with your pet daily by hand-feeding and handling them with care. With these tips, you will have a happy and energetic gerbil.
Do gerbils need to be walked?
When it comes to owning a small pet, gerbils are a popular pick due to their playful nature and energy. Of course, with energy usually comes the need for exercise, but do gerbils need to be walked like a dog might?
The short answer is no – although they certainly have plenty of exercise needs since their natural habitats are wide open spaces filled with things to explore. As an owner, you can provide your pet gerbil with plenty of space for them to run and explore without having to take them for walks the way you would do with a dog.
In fact, it’s important not to take gerbils outdoors as they enjoy living in cooler temperatures and fresh air that is filtered and free of pollutants. Instead of walking them, you can create stimulating activities such as ladders, tunnels, and other enclosures they can use while playing.
What do gerbils like to play with?
Gerbils are widely known as one of the most active small animals and they love playing with toys in their cages! They thrive on having lots of different kinds of toys to play with, from adorably tiny chew toy mice to ropes, bells, and fluffy fabric balls.
They also like digging tunnels in their bedding or exploring special cardboard or wood tubes designed for gerbils that you can buy at pet stores. Another fun activity for gerbils is making edible treats; feed them some dried fruit or nuts coated with a sugary gloss and give them a fun texture for them to munch on!
How do I know if my gerbil is happy?
Knowing when your gerbil is happy isn’t always a straightforward task. Healthy and content gerbils are interactive and curious, eagerly exploring their environment, climbing up the sides of their cage, happily running around on their wheel, and loving to cuddle up in their tunnels.
If your gerbil is apathetic or not very exploratory and active, it could be stressed or depressed. A good gerbil owner will take proactive steps to ensure that the enclosure is well-maintained, adhering to all the environmental and dietary needs of a gerbil to maintain its emotional well-being. The secret lies in getting to know your pet’s personality as every gerbil can be different!
Conclusion
To conclude, exercising your gerbil is an important part of its overall health and well-being. It can be a great bonding experience for both you and your gerbil if done consistently. Don’t forget to supervise your gerbil while it’s exercising and never leave it alone. Don’t be afraid to let it explore around the house as long as you familiarize yourself with what areas are safe and which might pose a danger to their safety.
