What do you put on the bottom of a gerbil cage?

Put a safe, odor-free and absorbent small animal bedding material on the bottom of your gerbil cage. Paper bedding is usually the material of choice, but you can also use aspen wood shavings or a mix of hay and paper to line your cage. Be sure to choose something that makes burrowing easy and fill to at least a 6-7-inch depth. Some people use litter pellets to line the bottom of the cage for extra absorbency, too, but always include bedding on top if you do. You can use this same bedding material in the litter box, if you're using one, or choose a compact pelleted small animal litter to make spotting waste and scooping easier.

What is the difference between gerbil litter and bedding?

The difference between gerbil litter and bedding is that you put gerbil litter in a litter box for elimination and bedding at the bottom of the cage for resting, digging and playing. If you do not have a gerbil litter box, your gerbil bedding will serve the same function as gerbil litter, catching waste and absorbing moisture and odor. The best substrates for gerbil bedding often work well in a litter box, as well.

Do gerbils need litter and bedding?

Gerbils do need bedding and litter, but you can just use bedding in your gerbil cage if your small pet isn't litter box-trained. If you do have a litter box in your gerbil habitat, it is usually recommended that you fill it with a different type of litter than you are using as bedding. This will help avoid confusion about where your gerbil is supposed to eliminate. Be sure to choose gerbil bedding and litter material that is specifically labeled for use by gerbils, as some other substrates may be hazardous for your pet.