Gerbils require exercise to stay healthy, and if they don't get enough, they become obese and lethargic. One of the best ways for them to exercise is to run on gerbil exercise wheels, which they enjoy immensely.

Exercise Wheels

When selecting an exercise wheel, "safety" is the key word. The safest exercise wheel for your gerbil is one that is enclosed or does not have open spaces between the rungs. Gerbils run the risk of catching and breaking or severely injuring their long tails and even their delicate legs, so proper care must be taken in selecting an appropriate wheel.

If you are unable to find this type of wheel, you can purchase a hamster wheel and make some minor adjustments. Take duct tape and simply tape it over, making sure that you cover the struts on the side as well. You can spin some bedding on the inside portion of the wheel to reduce the stickiness of the tape. Those inquisitive, active and curious little gerbils do not find humor in having their feet stuck to tape, so be certain to take this precaution when "reinventing the wheel."

Exercise wheels may come already mounted in your cage, they may be bought separately and affixed to the cage or they may be purchased as standalones. The appropriate size is about seven inches in diameter.

Runabouts

Various other exercise accessories are available for your gerbil:

• Exercise Balls. These are plastic see-through balls that come apart. Place your gerbil inside the ball and he'll start to run, rolling the ball all around the floor. These balls are safe when the gerbil is supervised, but gerbils have been known to roll their balls down flights of stairs during moments of an owner's inattention. Make sure your gerbil's ball is well ventilated so he doesn't become overheated.
• Racing Cars. These are miniature cars that operate on gerbil power (via a gerbil running in a ball mechanism inside the car). They delight children but, once again, are not safe for your gerbil unless strictly supervised.
• Tunnels and More. Some gerbil cages come equipped with tunnels your gerbil can scamper through. Other toys such as towers, platforms, ladders, slides and spinners also provide running and climbing exercise.