You and your gerbil will have a lot of fun together.If you want to protect your gerbil from harm, close off the exits to the room and look for other opportunities.Carefully lift the gerbil out of its cage.Your gerbil will appreciate setting up a wooden playhouse or cardboard tubes.
Step 1: The gerbil might chew on things.
If your gerbil goes from its cage into a room with power cords, newspapers, plants, or small objects of wood or plastic, it might want to chew on them.Remove your objects before you let your gerbil out of its cage.
Step 2: The exits should be closed off.
If you want to let your gerbil out of its cage, cover the air vents with a large bowl or pot.You can keep your gerbil in the room by putting a towel under the doors.Your gerbil won't escape and get hurt if the exits are closed.
Step 3: The gerbil's cage should be placed on the ground.
Gerbils can jump up to 30 cm high, so don't let your gerbil out of its cage on an elevated surface.If you put a barrier around the table, your gerbil could jump over it and hurt itself.
Step 4: Blocks or secure climbable surfaces.
Since your gerbil is a good jumper, you should remove any chairs, step stools, or other objects that it could use as a platform to access higher locations.Turn bookshelves toward the wall.Before you let your gerbil out of your cabinets, close the doors.
Step 5: Don't let other pets near you.
They might think of your gerbil as prey if you have a dog or cat.Don't let other pets in the room when you let your gerbil out of its cage.
Step 6: Put your gerbil in the playpen.
If you don't have a way to make the space outside your gerbil's cage safe, you could invest in a playpen.If you want to let your gerbil out of its cage but keep it in a contained area, you can use a playpen.There are different size gerbil playpens.If you can get the largest one, your gerbil will have the greatest freedom of movement.
Step 7: If your gerbil is used to being handled, remove it from its cage.
Wait for your gerbil to hop on your hand and place it in the cage palm-up.Bring your thumb and fingers together over your gerbil's back once it has all its legs on-board.The gerbil should be secured between your hands by cupping your other hand.Lift your gerbil up and out of its cage.
Step 8: Carefully pick up your gerbil.
Wrap your fingers and thumb around the middle of its body.Don't squeeze the gerbil, hold it lightly.Carefully place the gerbil on the ground outside of its cage.If your gerbil isn't used to being handled, this method might be best.
Step 9: A gerbil is in a cup.
If your gerbil is distracted, you can let it out of its cage by placing a treat in the bottom of a cup.Place one hand over the open end of the cup for your gerbil to snack on.Use your other hand to remove the cup from the cage.Carefully place it on the ground to let your gerbil out.
Step 10: Pick your gerbil up away from the tail.
It can hurt your gerbil.It might cause the skin of your gerbil's tail to slide off, which will require a vet to amputate the tail.
Step 11: Allow your gerbil to get on you.
A gerbil might want to climb all over you.You can encourage your gerbil to climb on you by sitting on the ground.As your gerbil crawls and climbs, keep steady.
Step 12: Your gerbil will love playing with a cardboard toy.
Gerbils like to chew on cardboard.There is an empty paper towel tube or cardboard box near the gerbil.Your gerbil will love playing in them.Putting a treat in a cardboard tube or box for your pet to snack on will make playtime even more fun.
Step 13: Your gerbil will love playing in a wooden play house.
Your gerbil will love playing in a wooden playhouse.You can buy these houses from your local pet store.You can hide a small treat inside the playhouse for your gerbil to discover.As long as the wooden toys are free of paint or varnish, your gerbil will like them.
Step 14: Caution is needed when using hamster balls.
Your gerbil might like playing with a hamster ball.Some gerbils don't like hamster balls.If you want to know if your gerbil will respond positively to a hamster ball, place it inside one.If your gerbil is frightened after being placed in a hamster ball, this is a sign.It should be removed from the hamster ball.The gerbil is having fun rolling around in the hamster ball.Attach the door to the hamster ball by snapping it into place.Only grow gerbils in a hamster ball with a seven-inch (18 cm) diameter and only allow them to use it.If your gerbil spends more than 15 minutes in the hamster ball, it could become stressed.