Gerbils usually live in clans of two or more gerbils – and this is how the gerbil community likes to see them housed – but they can and sometimes do live alone.
Gerbils are very social animals and like to socially groom and play and there are some great videos of double-drinking; double toilet roll chewing; and many other cute gerbil activities.
If you have the choice – always home a pair of gerbils – or a trio if they are already in a trio – as it isn’t good to leave a gerbil alone if you don’t have to.
However, quite often there is a single gerbil for sale in a store, or you rescued a single from a friend or sanctuary – or you had more – but now have one on its own.
My Gerbil is Living Alone:
If your gerbil is already living on their own, then you have a whole host of options to choose from for their future – including leaving them on their own.
These options vary depending on the age and gender of your single gerbil – and the reason you were told as to why your gerbils is alone in the first place – as this can have a considerable bearing on your opinion of your gerbil*.
*Gerbils very often declan – that is where the gerbils living in a single tank decide that they want a new Boss. This is totally normal for gerbils, but can finish up with serious injuries to one or both gerbils – resulting in the gerbils being split up and sold as singles.
Often they are then sold as ‘having attacked their tank mate’ making them sound rather unpleasant – whereas they should be sold as ‘having been a normal gerbil doing normal gerbil things’.
It shouldn’t put you off finding them a friend, because gerbils that have had a declan with another gerbil – regardless of whether they were the winner or the loser – nearly always make a new friend in a Split Tank – and they can live on in perfect harmony together.
However, only you can decide what you want for your single gerbil as you are the one who cares for them and sees them everyday. You are the only one who knows their character – so it is you who needs to feel happy that you are doing the right thing for them.
Other people may give you advice based on what they know or believe already, but you just need to choose the set-up you feel is right for you and your gerbil – and make it a good one.
Reasons a gerbil can live alone include the following:
Although most gerbil keepers will always advise that you should try to match up your gerbil with a new friend or two, there are some situations where you may want to leave them alone.
They are really old. If your gerbil is over 4 years old – you may well think they are actually old enough and they should just have a peaceful retirement without the stress of undergoing a Split Tank Procedure or having two young pups jumping all over them.
They are really ill or are injured. If your gerbil has a health condition that requires peace and quiet and possibly a different tank set up to make their life easier – then maybe forcing them into a Split isn’t the best option.
There just aren’t any suitable gerbils available near you. Choosing the best gerbil for an Introduction isn’t to be taken lightly – therefore you shouldn’t just rush and grab whatever comes your way. It could mean trouble for your new clan down the line.
Trying to match up the wrong gerbils together – or too many – or the wrong sex – can mean you are increasing your chances of a declan into the future.
Be patient – and spoil your single gerbil until that day arrives.
You don’t have space for more gerbils. There is always the chance that a Split Tank Introduction fails (very slim) or that a newly bonded clan then have a declan several months down the line – do you have room for two tanks?
Getting a second gerbil doesn’t always require a second tank as hopefully they will become friends but it is something to consider into the future if you are at college with your pets or are moving shortly.
You don’t have the time or confidence to do a Split Tank Introduction. There is always the human aspect to consider too – what if you don’t have time to make and run the Split Tank Introduction?
There is a lot of effort required to do it properly for both you and the gerbil, so it may be that you settle on a pampered individual – especially if your gerbil is an older female.
You are hoping to finish your run of gerbils. If you are coming to the end of your gerbil-keeping life – whether permanently or temporarily – you may not want to take on more gerbils. Pups are the easiest option for an Introduction – so you need to be ready for another 3 or so years of gerbil keeping once you take them on.
Your gerbil genuinely can’t get on with other gerbils. There are the odd gerbils who really do not know how to get on with other gerbils. However, you can only know this for sure if you have tried them together with at least 3 other gerbils of different ages/characters using the full Split Tank Procedure.
Most gerbils will fight if you introduce them differently or rush the Introduction so you can’t therefore assume that they wouldn’t have got on if you had done it properly. Fighting with one gerbil from their own clan at any age is not a sign that your gerbil can’t get on with other gerbils. It was just doing it’s job.
So, don’t feel you have to take on a new gerbil or a pair of pups just because your gerbil is living alone right now – there are many reasons why this isn’t suitable for everyone – no matter how many people advise it.
Obviously, if and when you can take on a new friend for your loner, you will be glad you did as they always look so great together.
If I but a gerbil and he is alone already am I able to mix him with others or is it best to leave him separate because I just want him to have the best life xx
Hello Daisy.
It really depends on what you want for him yourself here, as you can always try to add a really young single pup to a single adult gerbil using the split tank introduction method and 90 times out of 100, they have a new friend for life. You can try splitting together any older male gerbil with him too as long as it is only one-on-one. There is always the chance that they don’t get on of course – as with any animal – especially if both the gerbils have similar characters. But with patience and the correct introduction process and set-up you usually find they can be friends.
Many people keep single gerbils too – especially if you don’t have the room for a larger tank, you will be moving around a lot or aren’t quite ready for the introduction, you have a really good bond with your gerbil, the single gerbil is really old or ill, or the single gerbil hasn’t been getting on with other gerbils even after a few correctly done splits.
With plenty of enrichment in your set-up, regular contact, plenty of yummy food and treats and a cosy place to sleep, your gerbil can live a perfectly content life on its own, and they won’t know any different. I had a single gerbil myself for some time due to behaviour; I have had some gerbil retire alone in peace; and I currently have a middle-aged female alone right now after a move as I haven’t had the time to plan for a full split introduction just yet.
I hope that helps.
So i bought a gerbil at a humane society that was already alone. they said hes probably close to about a year old and it is a male. hes been alone for about a few months now. He’s usually always chewing on cardboard,eating,running around the tank,and sleeping. Its usually hard to get him out of the tank and try to be with him. he can bite sometimes. usually there little bites trying to know me and all that but sometimes there aggressive. so i wanted to know will he be good with another gerbil. i planning on getting another gerbil and a bigger tank. so i want to know. will he be fine another gerbil from like petco or is it recommended he stay alone.
Hello Michael.
We always recommend that you get your gerbil a friend especially if he is only about a year old – another single male would be the best match and if you can get one that is really young (under 8 weeks) then the split introduction should go really easily. Males usualy split together easily anyway, some just take a bit longer than others depending on their past and how you do the split introduction, so if you find another lone adult male it could still be worth a shot.
As for him being a bit of a grump to humans – that is no real reflection of how he would be with other gerbils as that is a whole other thing for them.
So, I would certainly consider getting another single friend for him and if you could get one from a breeder this would be better as they may well have a male spare and may even do the introductions for you – breeders are also more likely to have a realy young single male too (stores often buy them in in multiples of two – and you don’t want to split a pair to get your single and leave another gerbil on its own in the store).
Some people often buy two young pups to put with a single older male (usually advised for 2.5+ years) – but your male is still young so a single should be more stable with yours long term. It is possible that if you buy two together, that they will sort of ‘gang up’ on your single and the split may not go too well or last more than a year, but many people have had great success with the double-pup split.
Gerbils can live alone if that is the only option – not everyone can keep adding to their pet collection – or take the risk of the split not working – so if you decide to leave him alone just add plenty of varying enrichment all the time, interact with him as often as you can, and keep him surrounded by cardboard and shredded paper to keep him busy. You may consider adding a solid 10″ wheel if you have a large cage or a topper – but beware not all gerbils use them so don’t take away burrowing space for one. They all love a sand bath/sand jar too, so make sure he always has one of them to hand.
Have fun whatever you decide.
RodentZone.
Hi,
My one gerbil died last night (aged 3 and a half) from cancer . This has left his brother (also 3 and a half) lonely. He’s franticly looking for him and keeps digging in the spot he died . I don’t want to introduce one gerbil as I don’t want the same problem when my old one goes but I’m not keen on introducing more gerbils as I don’t want to stress my old one out . I’m not sure what to do as he is stressed and it breaks my heart to see him like this.
Sorry Frances98 – your comment got stuck somewhere?
I’m so sorry to hear about your little guy and I hope in the past few days he has settled down a bit and/or you have fully changed the substrate in the tank so all trace of his brother are gone so he can start afresh.
You are probably right to not introducing another gerbil to him as he is well in his retirement now and split cage introductions can be quite stressful for some gerbils.
Best thing to do is to pamper him with whatever he loves – whether that is fresh food, things to chew or a messy enclosure to tidy up. Gerbils can be entertained easily with a tank literally filled to the brim with shredded paper or toilet roll tubes – or hay etc. Something they have to ‘sort out’ can pass the time and give them a purpose. Hiding their favourite treats inside things or giving them large pieces of food or treats to work on can have the same effect.
Some gerbil really thrive on increased attention – and that isn’t just handling and things – it can be training (using the clicker method but not the clicker) or setting up adventure trails for them (instead of just letting them loose in the bath or hallway etc) – there are plenty of ideas for self made mazes and training lessons on youtube to look through. But on the other end – he might actually prefer to be left alone – not fussed over al the time – only you can decide what you think he prefers.
If, in time, you still think he is gerbil-lonely, then perhaps finding another older gerbil and setting them up in a permanent split tank would be a nice compromise?
I hope you find a nice balance for him and he finds peace soon.
I’ve had my gerbil since June (2019) and the two other gerbils who were with him at the pet store fought a lot. So I thought it would be a better idea to get just the one. But now I’m thinking maybe he would do better with a friend. Would it be a good idea to get a new gerbil for him to befriend? I have plenty of room for a second gerbil.
Hey Jay.
Gerbils in general do best with a friend – even though clans can sometimes be a bit stressful (just like living with your own family or friends).
So if you can find a similar-aged or older single male then it would certainly be worth giving him the opportunity to have a companion. A split tank introduction is the best way to do this (as neutral ground one-off meetings nearly always cause a fight) and there are several detailed articles on this site coving all the options for this and the signs to look out for.
However, there is no 100% guarantee that two gerbils will get on after a good split (they almost certainly won’t get on after a ‘bad’ split (one that is too fast or isn’t clutter free)) so there is always the chance of finding yourself with two single gerbils. I would say I have only ever had around 3 failed splits from what looked like good matches (same age or one much older and one-on-one only) and I have carried out about 50+ splits – so your chances are really good. of it being a success.
Have a read around the other articles and see what you think?
Good luck with it whatever you choose.
RodentZone
Hi,
I had bought a male gerbil by himself (he was also by himself at the store) and then, about 2 months later, I got him a male companion and they did very well with each other. Recently my gerbil’s companion passed away leaving my first gerbil alone again. The only changes in behavior that I have observed is that he is burrowing a lot more and he doesn’t come out of the burrows too often, but he is still lively and has the same eating habits. I was considering getting another gerbil for him but he seems to be doing well on his own and I don’t want to stress him out or have him get hurt if the new gerbil isn’t a right fit for him. I have been holding him everyday and letting him run around in a gerbil-proof area, but I worry that this isn’t enough for him and, even though he doesn’t seem too lonely, his health will be effected. I would like to know your opinion on what route I should take: leave him alone or get him another companion.
Thank you!
Hello Skyla – and thanks for visiting RodentZone on your gerbil wanderings…
Either – is the answer.
No help in of itself – but reassuring to whichever you opt for. Ideally yes, all gerbils should have a gerbil friend – but if you as the owner feels that another split intro would be too stressful for them (as I have done myself on several occassions) then a lone gerbil (with regular changing enrichment) will be fine – as long as you feel that you are offering enough mental stimulation through each week.
If you feel that he would be best off with another gerbil companion, then you have a couple of options – but of course nothing is ever guaranteed long term. My prefered options would be A) with another older male gerbil who is currently single too (as they are already mature and so less likely to squabble as they age); second to that would be B) a single VERY young male pup (not a pair) as they should be very easy to match up – however there is a slim chance they may squabble when the pup reaches maturity if it coincides with your original guy becoming weak/ill.
Whatever path you decide that suits you yourself and what you think your gerbil would do best with is the right choice for you.
RodentZone Team
Hi – first of all your blog is great and I’ve found some really interesting and useful info here!
I’m a little unsure whether to introduce new gerbils to mine, and would love your opinion on this.
In 2018 I got a pair of gerbils together, both males, we never had any issues with them and they were very close, (though one did tend to hump the other often, they never had any problems, mostly because of how mild mannered the other was). Sadly, in October last year one of them (the one that did the humping) unexpectedly died – we suspect from a stroke or similar, it was very sudden and sad.
Afterwards, the remaining gerbil was incredibly stressed on his own and listless. After about 2 weeks we purchased a new baby male and introduced them with the split cage method. This seemed to work great and all was well until March this year when they had a de-clan. It was rather scary as the new guy really quite badly injured the older gerbil. We assume he was just getting older and exerting dominance over the more gentle mild mannered guy. We split them up and gave the older guy some time to recover as he was rather bloody and weak. After a few days we attempted to split cage them back together but it was quickly apparent they weren’t comfortable so we gave up on this.
Circumstances being as they were, we weren’t able to purchase any new gerbils (lockdown putting a spanner in those works), we did however purchase a separate home, and so they’ve both been alone since then.
We’re now wondering if it would be advisable to try and introduce friends for either of them. The older one (approx 2.5 years old) actually seems perfectly happy on his own now, so we’re less inclined to introduce a friend for him. But the younger (approx 9 months old) we’re wondering if would benefit. He has now, however, been on his own for 3 months due to necessity. He’s somewhat skittish, and was having some seizures (which he appears to be thankfully growing out of).
In your experience, would you recommend an introduction at this stage, or feel they’d be better off on their own?
Absolutely to both.
I often introduce my older gerbils to another older gerbil (but then I always had a steady supply of my own to do this with). Often gerbils play different roles in different clans but you might be wise to match them up this time with who they already are.
So, I would look for another really calm older gerbil for your original chap (only if you want to pair him up again). That way the other older chap has already decided who he is and they will both split together exactly where they are.
However, as you found out before, a younger gerbil doesn’t know who he is yet and so when they mature – they can sometimes change the clan balance – and in your case this led to a full declan. However, as your guy is already someone who wants to be the boss, it is quite likely that he will be able to hold this off with a new pup. The pup should join the clan at the bottom and if your teenager keeps him in his place that is the way it should stay even when the new pup matures. Alternatively, finding him another teenager could work as they will meet each other knowing who they are – but if they are both bossy – they split might not be too easy?
You can never be 100% when creating new clans, but most often it works out well if you put time aside for a proper (and best match) split intro.
Finally – gerbils can live alone – and some of mine have done for part of their life – but I find that gerbils nearly always accept a new friend when offered and look so great together that I just always went for that option unless something went wrong. I have found that plenty of changing and varied enrichment, out of tank time and yummy treats have made me happy that THEY were happy while on their own.
This has been incredibly helpful, thank you! Do you by any chance know of any breeders in the Birmingham area? Rather than going the pet shop route.
Hi Gem.
If you are after great breeders for Mongolian Gerbils – best thing to do is contact the National Gerbil Society (jackie@gerbils.co.uk) as they keep a list of registered breeders to hand. They are always very helpful.
They have a FaceBook group too if that is easier for you…
Good luck in your hunt!
RodentZone
Thank you, I’ll drop them an email!
Hello,
Thank you for this blog! I have three female gerbils about a year old. I built them a cage topper on top of a 20 gallon aquarium. Life was good and peaceful for the girls until last night. two of them started fighting and I mean fighting! blood was shed. they seemed to settle down for about an hour and hid in separate places. Then it all started again! I split the cage in fear of one killing the other. I am not sure who the aggressor is as it looks like they are both going at it equally, also the injuries are pretty equal. The third gerbil seems fine with both but now I have one on her own. I am definitely hesitant to have the two fighters together again. Should I have the one peaceful gerbil go back and forth to keep them both company? Thank you for your thoughts!
Hello – and oh dear – this is always possible with a trio of females.
So, no – you need to create a stable pair and leave one single – new clans for ever. No mixing and swapping around as this won’t do any of them any good.
Fast answer…
So, in addition Mandy – you need to now decide which ‘fighter’ you want to leave with the non-fighting female for life – basically they will become a stable pair hopefully and live out their time together. However, unless you have a really good reason to think she is in with the ‘wrong’ one, you would be best to leave her with the one she is with now.
The second ‘fighter’ is out of the clan for ever now and needs to be left alone in a seperate enclosure completely to the other two (ideally with al new cage fixtures) to calm down and recover. Make sure you don’t share any toys or enrichment between the two enclosures and reduce all scent contact – as this will help the ‘winner’ of the fight (in the pair now) to maintain dominance over the un-fighting one and keep them placated in their own little world.
In time, your single female can be introduced to another female gerbil – of the same age or older, if you can find one from a rescue. This might be harder to do than introduce a new pup – but they should last together their entire lives once bonded.
Phew – nothing more complicated and final that a massive battle declan! They DO NOT want to be together anymore for sure.
Thank you for your help, All the gerbils are doing fine now. The one “fighter” is on her own in a separate cage and room. I think we will leave her on her own and give her a spoiled life!
Yes, some gerbils seem just fine on their own after a declan.
They love the extra attention most fo the time – and can start to get quite demanding of their human slaves!
We wish her well.
Hi,
I am interested to see what advice you might have. One of my older females (~3) just passed away leaving her sister behind. I have done split intros in the past with success and since the remaining sister is the more submissive individual, I am thinking getting her a new friend should go well. Right now, all I have access too are young males. I am open to the possibility of having broods, so am not worried about the two breeding, but my understanding is that possibility would be fairly remote anyway, given the age of my female.
My question is, do you know of any risks to my older female to the possibility of becoming pregnant? I would, of course, monitor their interactions to make sure she is tolerant of her new mate, but I just didn’t want to put her at any health risk. Do gerbils reach a point where they just stop ovulating or is her becoming pregnant at least not a risk for her own health?
Thank you for any advice you can offer to me at this crossroads.
Adrienne
Hello Adrienne – and sorry to hear about your little girl there…
As for pairings of any female to a young male – there is always the risk of issues with pregnancy and with her young in any mating – and with the older females it just increases. There is no definite yes/no for breeding in general – as everyone has their thoughts and reasons – just your own ethics on the issue to be considered.
We have known of many people who have paried up females over 2.5 year with males (because like you said – they are often an easier split) and there has been mating in some, but not mating seen in all pairs. And like you said, they often don’t produce live young from these matings (but that doesn’t mean they don’t get pregnant) – and as you would expect, the older females die before the younger males but we don’t know if they were pregnant at the time or not as it is never tested?
On a more cheerful note, these pairs often stay together very happily in couples (often with female being the dominant one if she has the energy or inclination). There are always the odd litters – usually only 1 or 2 pups though.
However, we have heard in one instance that a small aged female died on the night of and introduction for unknown reasons (even though several can be assumed); and another instance where the female had a live litter (after 6 months together) that were not 100% right. There was nothing you could put your finger on apparently, and they made great pets, but the breeder wasn’t happy that their wiring was all in the right place (however it was also reported that 3 of these pups stayed in their family clan their whole life until they started passing away at around the age of 4 – so nothing was TOO wrong with them we presume?).
There have been many reports of older females raising apparently very normal litters and not being visually negatively affected by that.
Also, of course though, if she DOES have a live litter you will need to split the clan into mum and daughters and father and sons – so doubling your tank collection in one hit. But of course you won’t be expecting a litter so she will still be with the male when she has it – so if she is unlucky enough to get pregnant again the day after she gives birth, she will have to have a second litter which will no doubt be very tiring at her age.
We hope that the above sort of gives you some food for thought, but do let us know if you have any other questions and/or would prefer a personal email reply with more details.
Kind regards,
RodentZone
Wow! Thanks so much for the thoughtful and fast reply.
I guess I am torn as my only options for a new mate appears to be male (and associated risks, though I would be happy to end up with babies) vs. her living out the rest of her days alone. I would be interested in more details on some of the scenarios you mentioned above if you would be so inclined to email personally. Otherwise, I am fine with this forum.
I hate to think of her remaining days being alone, but I also don’t want to put her in a potentially high risk situation. As I said, I would be fine with taking care of her babies no matter their condition, but ultimately want to do right by her. Knowing she would likely pass before her new mate, my other thought was then that he could pal with any sons that he produces for the remainder of his days. So, I have thought this through. Am leaning towards getting her a new friend, but wanted to make sure it wasn’t cruel to do that to her.
Yes, there are a few options to and fro on any decision like this. And it often comes down to what you yourself feel comfortable with as people are on both sides of this.
Some people would say it isn’t fair on her to (potentially) have pups or to be in a position where a male was demanding of her in either instance – others would say it wasn’t fair to leave her alone like you say. Others would say wait until everything is right, and others would say don’t leave her alone too long – so it really is something you need to decide for yourself – and for her personally.
We know that an older female to older female would be the best option all round – but that isn’t always possible – alternatively, getting more common these days, would be a neutered male to a female (although we certainly wouldn’t advocate neutering a male for just that reason). It seems as though animal rescue places seem to do this as standard to any single male animal – so if they have a policy to do it and it is done – then it becomes a valid option.
Have you registered or made contact with any local small animal shelters. We know that the RSPCA recently (Sept 2020) had an influx of gerbils that may still be looking for homes?
We will certainly contact you personally to discuss those other details that you were interested in.
Best of luck whatever you deicde for her.
RodentZone Team