A Calm Way to Pick the Best Gerbil Cage for Two Gerbils
A gerbil tank should ideally be about 50 cm high, says the RSPCA, so tank height sets how deep bedding can go. See which tanks leave room to dig.
Table of Contents
Short answer: a glass tank with a mesh lid
The one-line answer
For a pair of Mongolian gerbils, the best gerbil cage is a glass tank with a solid floor, a secure wire-mesh lid, and room for 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) of bedding, per the RSPCA’s gerbil housing advice. Blue Cross adds that a hamster cage isn’t a suitable home.
If you’re choosing now, go to Section 3; if you already own a cage, Sections 6 and 7 fix it, and you haven’t failed. The gerbil tank setup guide for a pair covers the rest.
Before you buy: where gerbils are restricted
California’s restricted-species rule lists gerbils as detrimental rodents, and its pet exemptions cover hamsters, rats, mice, guinea pigs and chinchillas, not gerbils. Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture lists gerbils as prohibited for private individuals. Check the current rules where you live before buying.
🩺 Health Note: This is housing guidance, not veterinary advice, and laws change, so check local rules. For any illness or injury, contact a vet experienced with gerbils.
How big a tank do two gerbils actually need?
Sources disagree on floor space for a pair of Mongolian gerbils, so here is each figure with who said it.
The range, with sources
| Source | Floor for a pair | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross | At least 100 × 40 cm | Stated for two to four gerbils |
| Wood Green (2026 guide) | 100 × 50 cm | Tank 50 cm tall |
| Merck Veterinary Manual | About 10 gallons | Lowest figure found; 5 per gerbil |
The standard this roundup uses
We use Blue Cross’s 4,000 cm² (100 × 40 cm) as the floor area and flag tanks that reach Wood Green’s 5,000 cm² (100 × 50 cm); that choice is ours, not a regulation. Gerbil tank size for a pair compares the sources in more detail.
Best gerbil tanks for a pair, compared
These are classes of glass tank scored on published sizes for Mongolian gerbils, not hands-on tests.
Best overall and budget picks
| Pick | Nominal size | Floor | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75-gallon glass aquarium | 48 × 18 × 21 in | ≈5,570 cm² | Best overall: clears both floors |
| 40-gallon breeder | 36 × 18 × 16 in | ≈4,180 cm² | Budget: area clears Blue Cross; 91 cm long |
| Second-hand tank | At least 100 × 50 × 50 cm | ≥5,000 cm² | Wood Green’s pair figure |
🛒 Our Pick: A 75-gallon glass aquarium clears both floor figures above. Put it on a stand rated for its full weight.
Second-hand and discontinued options
IKEA no longer sells the DETOLF (163 × 43 × 37 cm) new; its replacement, the BLÅLIDEN, is smaller at 35 × 32 × 151 cm. Check current stock before relying on any listing.
Bedding depth: what each tank leaves for burrowing
The RSPCA recommends 20–30 cm of bedding in a tank ideally about 50 cm high, and puts an adult gerbil at roughly 12 cm tall.
Headroom by tank
| Tank (height) | 20 cm bedding | 25 cm | 30 cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75-gallon (53 cm) | 33 cm | 28 cm | 23 cm |
| 40-gallon breeder (41 cm) | 21 cm | 16 cm | 11 cm |
| DETOLF (37 cm) | 17 cm | 12 cm | 7 cm |
📊 Tested / Spec: Headroom is nominal height minus bedding, calculated rather than measured; an adult gerbil stands about 12 cm tall, and rims and lids cut real height.
What the sources say
🔄 Outdated Advice: Merck’s one-third fill is about 14 cm in a 41 cm tank (our calculation), below the RSPCA range; Wood Green gives 20–25 cm.
Gerbil bedding depth compares the sources and materials.
Lids that hold: mesh, frames, and gaps
The RSPCA, Blue Cross and Merck all want a secure mesh or wire lid on a gerbil tank, which lets air in and keeps Mongolian gerbils in.
Why a fish-tank lid won’t do
Wood Green says a standard fish-tank lid isn’t suitable. It suggests a wooden-frame lid with 1 × 1 cm welded mesh fixed inside the frame, which helps stop gerbils chewing the wood, and a two-section lid for larger cabinets.
What to check on any lid
✅ Do This: Check for gaps where the lid meets the rim, and make sure it can’t be pushed up from inside; Blue Cross notes gerbils are extremely good jumpers.
Why most “gerbil cages” didn’t make the list
Some “best gerbil cage” roundups rank hamster cages, so here is what the welfare charities say about Mongolian gerbils.
Wire cages and shallow trays
The RSPCA doesn’t recommend metal-bar cages: gerbils may slip and hurt their legs or feet, and gnawing the bars can damage their teeth. Blue Cross says all-wire sides are unsuitable because gerbils need deep bedding, which a shallow tray can’t hold.
Shelves and extra levels
Wood Green warns against mesh shelves, which can damage feet, and three-level glass tanks, where a weaker gerbil may get stuck under a shelf. A glass tank with a wire topper is different; Blue Cross calls a tank with cage additions the best way to mimic their habitat.
🔄 Outdated Advice: “A hamster cage is fine for gerbils.” Blue Cross says a hamster cage isn’t a suitable home.
Already own a cage? Fix it without starting over
Most fixes come down to depth, and the RSPCA names the sign to watch for in Mongolian gerbils.
Signs the setup needs more depth
If your gerbils dig repeatedly in one corner, the RSPCA says to add enrichment and hiding places and consider a gerbilarium with added depth.
Upgrading on a budget
You haven’t failed: a used fish tank is a legitimate upgrade. Wood Green lists second-hand tanks as an option, with 100 × 50 × 50 cm as its pair figure. Reuse the old cage’s wire top only if it passes the lid checks in Section 5.
Quick answers about gerbil tanks
1. What is the best cage for gerbils?
The best gerbil cage is a glass tank with a solid floor and secure mesh lid, holding 20–30 cm of bedding, per the RSPCA.
2. How big a tank do two gerbils need?
A gerbil tank for two needs at least 100 × 40 cm of floor (Blue Cross); Wood Green asks 100 × 50 cm.
3. Can gerbils live in glass tanks?
Yes. A glass tank is the best gerbil cage style: the RSPCA recommends solid glass walls with a secure wire-mesh top.
4. How deep should gerbil bedding be?
Gerbil bedding depth should be 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) per the RSPCA, in a tank ideally about 50 cm high.
5. Do gerbils need a mesh lid?
Yes. A gerbil tank lid should be secure wire mesh; Wood Green says a standard fish-tank lid isn’t suitable.
6. How tall should a gerbil tank be?
A gerbil tank should ideally be about 50 cm high, per the RSPCA, so gerbils can dig and still stand upright.
7. Is a 40-gallon tank enough for two gerbils?
A 40-gallon breeder tank gives about 4,180 cm² of floor, above Blue Cross’s 4,000 cm² but below Wood Green’s 5,000 cm² for two gerbils.
8. Can I use a hamster cage for gerbils?
No. Blue Cross says a hamster cage isn’t a suitable gerbil home, and the RSPCA doesn’t recommend cages with metal bars.
9. Is the IKEA Detolf still sold?
No. IKEA no longer sells the Detolf new, so a Detolf gerbil tank is second-hand only; its replacement is smaller.
10. Are gerbils legal in California and Hawaii?
No. California restricts gerbils and Hawaii prohibits them for private individuals, so check current rules before buying a gerbil cage.
Your next step: measure, then choose
Measure the space you have, then choose a glass tank of at least 100 × 40 cm, ideally 100 × 50 cm, with a secure mesh lid and room for 20–30 cm of bedding. Gerbils need company, so plan for two: why gerbils shouldn’t live alone explains why. Check the lid before the gerbils arrive.
