As humans, we use soap to clean dirt and dust off our bodies each time we shower. At least, that is what we should do, anyhow! All jokes aside, you may have bathed your dog or cat, but what about a gerbil? 

If you want one for yourself, you must know how to care for them properly. So, what are some ways you can keep them clean? You have come to the right place, as we have just the correct answer for you!

Gerbils keep themselves clean using a sand bath in shallow, durable containers with natural and chemical-free sand. Gerbils love sand baths, so what are the best ones to get for your little fur baby? Here is a quick list below:

 

• Kaytee Small Animal Ceramic Critter Bath
• Hamiledyi Chinchilla Sand Bathroom
• Kathson Dwarf Hamster Dry Bathroom
• WishLotus Hamster Sand Bathroom
• ACEDiva 7.1 in Hamster Sand Bath

 

A gerbil’s body needs shine, which you can do with a sand bath! In this article, we will review the sand baths mentioned above and answer some questions you may need to know. We encourage you to continue reading down below. 

 

Best Sand Bath Houses for Gerbils

 

Giving a sand bath to gerbils once a week can freshen the coat, rejuvenate the body, and leave their bodies free from harmful substances, including debris and grease.

However, not all containers or sands are ideal for gerbils. There are several criteria to fulfill, including container material, quantity, type of sand, and size. In this case, it is essential to be thorough when researching, which is why we have done most of the hard work for you! 

1. Kaytee Small Animal Ceramic Critter Bath

 

Kaytee’s small animal ceramic critter bath is a perfect sand bath for gerbils and dwarf hamsters. If you have both at home, you can save money by buying this product.

Kaytee ranks on the list of best sand baths for gerbils as it is made of chew-proof ceramic materials with multiple colors and a pack of dust. This sand bath is 3.5 x 3.5 x 4.25, sufficient to bathe one gerbil.

It’s easy to use. For example, you can let your gerbil enter this container and allow it to roll and enjoy its time. After some time, you can take him or her out.

The best part about Kaytee’s critter bath is that it comes with an instruction manual so that you know how and when to use it.

Several gerbils even enjoy living within these baths but hesitate to come out. The comfort that Kaytee’s bath gives to gerbils is outstanding. The only downside is that it can be pretty small for some gerbils and hamsters. You must buy multiples or other options if you have multiple gerbils at home.

2. Hamiledyi Chinchilla Sand Bathroom

 

Hamiledyi chinchilla sand bathroom is a multi-purpose sand bath for chinchillas, gerbils, and dwarf hamsters. This bath is 9.65 in x 6.89 in x 7.09 in. While it does not fit adult rodents, it’s still a compact compartment that gerbils enjoy.

We like this sand bath because it comes with 2 lbs of bath sand and has a removable design with no dead corners. It is also easy to clean after gerbils take a bath in them. Several sand baths in the market become greasy and take time to clean thoroughly. However, this sand bath absorbs moisture and unnecessary oils, thereby maintaining the quality and durability of the container.

When you look for a sand bath, you must ensure you can supervise outside. Hamildeyi Chinchilla Sand Bathroom has a flip-door design that is transparent, detachable, and made of high-quality polypropylene material. As a result, it gives extreme comfort to the gerbil.

Another reason we recommend this product is that the manufacturer guarantees the softness of hair, removal of odor, and the ability of bathing sand to prevent several skin diseases. Perhaps you can also order sand after it’s over.

If you have only one gerbil at home, it can take 3-4 months to use a whole bag of sand and order a fresh one. Leave this box inside the gerbilarium; your gerbil can enter whenever he needs a sand bath. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?

A funny aspect of Hamiledyi’s Chinchilla Sand Bathroom is that gerbils use it as hideouts and even sleep when left for a long time. Owing to various features and benefits, we call it a great steal if you buy it today.

3. Kathson Dwarf Hamster Dry Bathroom

 

Kathson dwarf hamster dry bathroom is a tiny container made exclusively for rodents, including gerbils, squirrels, hedgehogs, and chinchillas.

The first look at this product can let you recognize that it is made of sturdy plastic that is durable and free from harmful chemicals. The enclosure of this bathroom is convenient for gerbils to bath, rest, and sleep in without scattering or spilling dust outside.

Kathson’s dwarf hamster dry bathroom follows the standard size of 9.6 in x 7.1 in x 7 in. The package does not include sand, and this is a disadvantage. Another letdown is the lack of color options for buyers. However, looking at the design, three locks are fixed in three directions to add an extra layer of security to your gerbil.

The sliding door is another attractive feature. It is wise to supervise when your gerbil is taking a sand bath. If you have a baby gerbil, there is no better sand bathroom than Kathson’s. It’s easy to assemble. So, you can carry the sandbox wherever you take your gerbil with you and give him a safe space to rest and bathe.

4. WishLotus Hamster Sand Bathroom

 

If you ask us the most loved bathroom for a gerbil, we’d unthinkingly say WishLotus hamster sand bathroom. This sand bathroom has umpteen exciting elements, pushing you to buy it immediately.

WishLotus’s hamster sand bathroom is a complete package of a sand bath container and a shovel. This is ideal for gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

If you have already set up a gerbilarium for your gerbil, you can directly attach this bathroom to the cage. A removable white tray is attached to this bath, letting you clean the sand on the go. Alternatively, you can also fix it as an external compartment. It has a transparent layout so that you can supervise it from a distance.

The container is made of safe plastic material that is high in durability. The only disadvantage could be its size, 4.5 x 5.8 in, which may be too tiny for a gerbil. There may also be an opening hole, but the size is still not great.

Let’s get back to our experience of using this sand bath. The internal container is easy to clean and leaves the gerbil with no foul odor. A plastic connecting plate is meant to attach the tub directly to the iron cage.

The overall look is neat, and the bathroom has several vents to eliminate moisture from the bathroom. Once you buy the sand for your gerbil, this product can also start a DIY project.

5. ACEDiva Hamster Sand Bath

 

How about a cute and handy sand bath for your gerbil? That’s when we got hold of the ACEDiva hamster sand bath.

Maintaining a gerbil, especially if you are new, is tedious. A sand bath can give you and your gerbil peace of mind. ACEDiva’s hamster sand bath is ideal for several small animals, including hedgehogs, gerbils, squirrels, mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

The first aspect of this product that attracted us is the size, which provides lots of space at 7.5 x 5.3 x 4 in. In that case, your gerbil will be happy to have this bathroom as part of their home!

There’s also adequate space for gerbils to dig sand, burrow, and rest in a dark environment. The bathtub is easy to maintain, clean, and free from foul odors even when gerbils stay long hours.

Leaving this sand bath at the bottom of the gerbilarium is a good idea. Another reason to buy this sand bath is its cuteness. It’s made of PP plastic but looks like a glass container. Gerbils can take a few hours to explore and accept this space. Once they settle, they will never want to come out.

What Kind of Sand Do You Use for a Gerbil Bath?

 

It is wise to use chinchilla sand, which is 100% natural, sterilized, and ideal for a gerbil bath. However, ensure that it’s free from harsh chemicals. Make sure to only put 1 inch of sand in your gerbil’s dust bath.

Choosing sand for your gerbil needs your attention. Bathing gerbils with water is not advisable. Hence, choose sands termed — natural, aragonite, quartz, sepiolite, or volcanic pumice. Do not go for beach, kinetic, or builder’s sand. These undergo treatments based on their applications.

Silica sand is unhealthy as it contains airborne chemicals that can leave gerbils with various health issues as soon as they inhale it. As gerbils tend to ingest the sand occasionally, you should be careful about the type of sand you use to fill the bathroom. We also do not recommend calcium sand as it is unhealthy for gerbil’s teeth.

There are also dust packages marketed as sand in the market. Do not go for such products; dust can leave gerbils with respiratory issues. Also, many gerbils have died from too much dust in the air.

If you are new to raising gerbils, remember to cross-check with a vet the quality of sand and its applicability to your gerbil. Not all sands in the market work as advertised! Hence, it’s good to clear your doubts.

 

Are Dust Baths Good for Gerbils?

 

No, dust baths are not suitable for gerbils. This is because a dust bath can lead to respiratory issues. Dust and sand baths are used interchangeably, but dust baths are recommended for eliminating parasites, fungi, and bacteria from fur. A natural sand bath is recommended over a dust bath since the former is healthy and can lead to skin and respiratory problems.

You can buy chinchilla dust from the pet store if you prefer giving your gerbil dust baths. This is ideally a pack of sand that can remove grease, foul odor, and dust from a gerbil’s body.

 

Should Gerbils Bathe in Sand or Dust?

 

Gerbils need sand baths and not dust baths. Dust baths are not advisable for rodents as they have sensitive respiratory systems and cannot withstand the entry of external particles. A sand bath cleanses and rejuvenates the body entirely. 

Even if someone suggests you give a dust bath to your gerbil, do not forget to replace the term “dust” with “sand.” This is a rule of thumb when you think of bathing your gerbil.

Fill the gerbil’s sand bathroom with one inch of sand and let him inside. Generally, gerbils automatically come out of the bathroom once they feel fresh and clean. Hence, they do not need continuous supervision.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Sand baths are great ways to give gerbils a relaxing, satisfactory environment. If you have several rodents at home, you can purchase and use a sand bath for all of them.

We have used sand baths for gerbils and highly recommend them. While they appear to incur regular maintenance, the reality is different. Sand baths simplify maintenance and are cost-effective.

When you set up a sand bath inside the cage, you can let the gerbil decide when he needs a bath. If you find your gerbil hesitating from taking a bath, you can guide him for a week or two. He would pick it up from there!

So, what’s the next plan? Go give your gerbil a sand bath this weekend! Let your gerbil dive into the world of sand baths and natural environments!