How do you introduce gerbils to each other? It can be challenging to pair up new gerbils, but sometimes it is necessary.
For instance, if you own a gerbil by itself, you will need to introduce it to a friend because they cannot stay properly alone. However, this probably isn’t a good idea if you want to introduce one gerbil to an existing group.
Here’s How to Introduce Gerbils to Each Other
1. Place the Gerbils in Split Cages
Start with a split cage. These are available in pet stores, or you can build your own using a wooden board and chicken wire. Whatever you choose to use to partition the cage must be transparent.
You should also include anything your gerbil might require on both sides of the cages. These include
- Food
- A water bottle
- Bedding
- Running wheels
The point is that the gerbils should be content in the split enclosure. It needs to be just as hospitable as their typical enclosures. If they can’t, bonding can be challenging as a result. An agitated, hungry, or sad gerbil won’t establish pals quickly.
Keep the bedding in the split cage when the gerbils are inside. The bedding preserves the aroma of the gerbils. If you take it away, the two can’t get familiar with one another.
It would help if you didn’t clean the enclosure extensively for the same reason. Spot-cleaning the pen is preferable. Here is where you clean up the mess as you see it. Therefore, remove the poop and portion of the bedding from the split cage if you detect any.
Doing so will stop the mess from accumulating while letting the aroma continue. You can swap the tiny bit you removed with a small amount of new bedding each time.
2. Observe the Gerbils’ Behavior.
Your gerbils ought to get used to one another during this process. Their actions reveal whether or not they are starting to like one another. Positive activities consist of
- Clear curiosity. The gerbils will interact by sniffing and staying near each other.
- No observable aggressiveness. Your gerbils shouldn’t pose a threat to one another through the partition by, for example, remaining still and glaring at one another.
- I was sleeping close to each other while on different sides of the partition. Pairs of gerbils enjoy nesting together. This implies that the two intend to nest together.
When you start noticing these behaviors, the gerbils are getting along well.
You don’t have to spend the entire day keeping an eye on your gerbils to see these signs. Throughout the day, check on them frequently and observe how they behave each time.
3. Switch Them Over
You can help your gerbils become used to each other’s smell by switching them repeatedly throughout this time.
In either case, doing this is simple. Each gerbil is carefully removed from its cage and placed in the other. It will be simpler if you get someone to help you pick one gerbil as you pick the other. However, you can also choose to take both pets at once.
The optimal time to complete this is just before the little buddies sleep. The smell is adapted even more quickly if the gerbil naps somewhere they smell the other.
4. Take the Divider Down
You can formally introduce the gerbils if you are sure they are behaving amicably. Take down the cage’s divider to accomplish this. By now, the gerbils ought to feel at ease with one another.
You should spend the following twenty minutes with your gerbils. Keep an eye on them and monitor how they act. Fighting shouldn’t occur. However, if you observe these behaviors, be sure to separate them:
- The gerbil’s glare at one another
- The gerbils do squeak loudly.
- The gerbils wrestle with each other
Reach in and take one of them using your thick gloves. Keep them apart by switching out the partition in the tank or keeping them in separate tanks.
You might need a removable partition in your cage. If so, you need to place them in a different, bigger tank.
Introducing Your Gerbils Without a Split Cage
It’s not the world’s end if you can’t find or create a split cage. There are alternative methods of introducing two gerbils besides relying on one.
The two-cage setup is the simplest to replicate. Put the smaller cage inside the larger one if you have a large and a tiny cage. This is very similar to a split cell. The only distinction will be that one of the gerbils will have a more spacious area.
If that’s not possible, you could place two cages near each other. The gerbils will be able to view and become familiar with one another.
The primary purpose of switching them is to allow them to get used to one other’s scent, which is crucial.
Final Word
If you’re trying to figure out how to introduce gerbils to each other, this article will help you with that. After all, gerbils live in small groups in the wild because they are friendly creatures.
This means that you’ll not have such a challenging task introducing them. They will end up wrestling, chasing, grooming, and cuddling one another.
