In the past, it has been thought that it is impossible to introduce Gerbils to each other unless they have been together from birth. This isn’t technically true, as by using a proper, safe method called “Split Caging”, this is in fact relatively easy to achieve.
Taking two unrelated or unknown Gerbils and throwing them in a tank together is just asking for trouble. As a species they are very territorial, forming strong family bonds and can and will kill another Gerbil that they see as an intruder. Great care must be taken to ensure the introduction process is done properly and causes the least amount of stress to all involved. This will keep your little furries safe from harm.
If you feel you would like to try and introduction, the following guide should be helpful for you to refer to in order to have the best chance of success. Good Luck!
First things first. You MUST quarantine any new gerbils that you bring into your home.
This should be a minimum of two weeks. This will ensure any underlying disease or problems they may have will have time to come to the surface. Often the stress of moving home/travelling will make such things apparent. It also gives the new gerbil time to settle in and accustom itself to the new surroundings, sights and smells.
Step One
Once the quarantine period is up – you should find a tank/cage that neither of the gerbils have been in before so it is totally neutral and make a split down the middle using wood and wire mesh. Its best to start off with a double layer a little apart. Close enough for the gerbils to sniff each other through – but not too close that they will be able to get to each other if they decide to fight. Place a gerbil in either side of the split and make sure there is no way they can get through to the other side. Scatter food in both sections and only easily destroyed toys like toilet roll tubes, tissue paper, thin card and paper should be put in. Food bowls and other toys can easily be scent marked which could make it harder for the introduction to work.
(Photo’s courtesy of Kindred and Wolf, and Linda, eGerbil members)
Here are some examples of a simple split. You can design it to your own preference but be sure there are no little gaps where gerbils can escape! Also ensure there are no bits of stray mesh protruding which may potentially cause injury.
Step Two
Once both gerbils are in – dont be alarmed if at first they seem to try and attack each other through the mesh. This can happen in the first stages and is fairly normal as gerbils are so highly territorial. Individual personality is a deciding factor in this too. Every few hours, the gerbils should be swapped over sides. This will eventually make their scents smell the same – so when the split is removed after a period of time they will recognise the other gerbil as just part of their territory and hopefully accept them.
(Photo’s courtesy of Murf)
Step Three
There are some signs you should look out for which will tell you that the gerbils are beginning to accept each other. These include – Mutual grooming through the mesh, lying beside each other at the mesh, sleeping in each others beds and a general interest in the gerbil at the other side. I would say if you are new to the introduction of gerbils, to wait at least a week before you even think about removing the split – even if they are showing good signs of liking each other. It would be more detrimental to rush it and end up with fighting and have to begin again. Please TAKE YOUR TIME. It will be worth it in the end 
(Thank you to groovy Stacey and Linda (eGerbil members) for these pics)
Step Four
If you have reached this stage and the gerbils are displaying the behaviour described above then you are ready to remove the split. Contrary to what you may have heard – DO NOT put them in neutral territory as all this does is destroy all the hard work you have been doing and may confuse them. When the time is right just remove the split. It is often best to swap sides in the morning of the split removal and leave them for a couple of hourse as they would have been in the one side for a good many hours overnight. This may make them more likely to show territorial signs. When you take the split away, mix up all the bedding from the two sides and often it’s helpful to put both Gerbils into one side, as the smaller space means they have a smaller size of territory to try and claim, should that problem arise.
It is normal for there to be a little chasing and/or mounting as a hierarchy does need to be established between the Gerbils. This is fine - However, if real fighting occurs – i.e. where the Gerbils are actually biting and in a “ball” they should be separated immediately and the split resumed for a couple of days to let them cool off before trying again. Its best to remove the split at the start of a day so you have the full day to keep an eye on them for any signs of fighting. Once they are grooming and cuddling up together its fairly certain that they have bonded successfully. If you are at all unsure it would be better to put in a temporary split just for when you arent able to supervise until you are one hundred percent certain the gerbils are living happily together.
Great step by step guide Indy. No one should have any probs in understanding what to do or what to look for.
This is great indy! Thanks for using my pics! Looking back brings a lot of good memories to mind!
Well done, Indy.
I have a question. I bought a new gerbil, and quarantined him for 2 weeks, he was not sick in any way thankfully. And now i have him and my older gerbil (2yrs) in a split tank like the one shown on this post. They have been in the cage for about a week now and i’ve been switching them every 2-3 hours a day. Every now and then the younger one will groom the other through the mesh, but other then that they don’t really show an interest in one another. I do believe they sleep in each others bed. I just wanted to know if you think those are good enough signs to take out the divider? I’m still worried the younger one will hurt my older one.
Hi Michelle. Yes if they are grooming through the bars then its a good sign that its time to take the split away. Make sure when you take it away you are going to be home all day so you can keep an eye on them.
Ok, thank you very much for responding, i will be taking the split out today and praying for the best!
Thank you so much for all your good advice. The gerbils have an opportunity of a home together because I was brave enough to start introductions. All because of your site. Keep up the good work x
I want to introduce a new gerbil for my 4 months old Dusty after losing his brother late monday night.
The cage I have you are not able to split cage because it has many layers that allow access to the other side.
If I introduce them in a large plastic box like one in the images above, can they be moved back into their tank/cage if successful or will this cause a problem?
Is it best to introduce only 1 new gerbil? My mum wants to buy another 2 for Dusty but I’m worried that they may gang up on him even after introducing gradually.
Hi Louise
If you introduce them in a large plastic box that will be fine, as long as you leave them in it once the split has been taken out and they are living together permanently for at least two weeks to minimise the risk of them fighting.
If it is young pups of around 8 weeks old you are going to introduce to the 4 month old, you should be fine with introducing two. However if they are older than around 12 weeks old you have less success of a successful introduction with two and would be best to stick to a one on one intro as otherwise, as you feared the two already bonded may either gang up on or not accept Dusty.
I have bought 2 new gerbils, one is about 8 weeks and the other is so tiny! He is the size of a chinese hamster? I’m tempted to say he’s not even a gerbil lol.
They have a split cage and Dusty absolutely adores the both of them, poking his nose through the bars to see them but the baby ones are a bit jumpy and scared so I am leaving them to settle for a few days before introducing to my very excited Dusty!
So far no signs of fighting so fingers crossed for a happy relationship for them all!
Thank you for your help and advice
Do you have a picture of the little one? He sounds tiny for 8 weeks old! It’s best really to keep them separate from Dusty for a bit to allow them time to settle without the fear of another larger Gerbil and also for a quarantine period to ensure they aren’t carrying anything that could be passed onto Dusty. Often in times of stress, underlying conditions can come to the surface and one of the most stressful times for Gerbils are moving home. It can also affect how successful the split may be with them staying for an amount of time on the one side of the split. As they are already in the split however it’s pointless removing them now and will just cause more upset for them. If you follow the instructions on the guide I’m sure in no time they will be firm friends. Good luck! Hope it all goes well
Yes I have a picture of the tiny one. I have been having a lot of problems recently with them! Sexed as boys when the poor little baby one is a little girl! And so is Dusty!!!!! She is now on her own and is doing better for this.
How can I upload a photo for you to see?
Dusty adores the little one, she tries to kiss her all the time and snuggle but won’t let the little one come to her for a cuddle.
Split cage is out the window for now whilst the tiny one grows a little more, Vet thinks she is under 8 weeks old. She’s very very spoilt, cuddles from me and my mum everyday and she’s so little she just falls asleep on your hand.
Once the little one has grown I will try introduce her to Dusty very slowly as Dusty will be nearing 5/6 months (bit late for a new friend I’m thinking)
Ps they didn’t get the chance to go in the split cage, they were living next to each other in their gerbilariums. I didn’t split cage them as I had doubt over their sex! and my concerns proved me to be right. Pet shop- ‘Pets at home’ have washed their hands of it, they accept no responsibility of their mistake.
Just goes to show, the name means nothing. It sickens me to realise they are only in it for the money not our little fur babies. The amount of animals they produce is awful. Their ploy is cunning and has worked well in their profits but my concerns lie with the animals.
I’m very passionate about animals, especially small rodents! They are misunderstood and mistreated it’s disgusting.
Pets at home have certainly not heard the last of me for a long time yet!
I think when you buy an animal from Pets At Home it does state on the form you have to fill in that they accept no responsiblity regarding sexing of animals etc so yes there’s not much you can do there unfortunately. I think you have to remember that Pets At Home are a business first and foremost so *they” will see things differently to how you and I do. Their main aim is to make a profit, which is always hard to deal with when live animals are concerned.
The best thing to do is put Dusty in a split cage with the little one. If she’s so young, she will really benefit from being in with an older gerbil to show her the ropes so to speak. If you just email me a picture that would be great. Ps – 5/6 months isn’t too late for an introduction. IN fact it’s never to late
We have a pair of females, about 8 months old. If we get a four foot tank for them, and use the split cage method, could we introduce another pair of females? Or with pairs would this be risky?
This would definitely be very risky. It’s never a good idea to introduce adult pairs or groups together. I would either allow the pair you have to enjoy the huge space of a 4 foot tank, or get two smaller tanks for the pair you have and the pair you wish to get.