Can Gerbils and Hamsters Live Together?

They live in similar enclosures, they’re about the same size, and they both come from the rodent family. So you wouldn’t be alone in wondering: can gerbils and hamsters live together? 

The quick answer is no: gerbils and hamsters cannot cohabitate in the same enclosure. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why and give you some more information about owning both gerbils and hamsters.

Can Gerbils and Hamsters Share the Same Enclosure?

No, gerbils and hamsters cannot share an enclosure! 

As adorable as it might be to imagine a gerbil and hamster becoming best friends and cuddling up together, this isn’t something that should ever be attempted.

Gerbils and hamsters are fundamentally different animals, and they can easily recognize this when looking at a member of the other species. In nature, gerbils and hamsters would compete over resources, and this natural instinct would carry over into captivity. 

Both hamsters and gerbils are highly territorial as well as scent-oriented. They use their sense of smell to decide whether an animal is a friend or enemy. To a gerbil, a hamster will have an unfamiliar and potentially hostile smell, and vice versa. 

For these reasons, introducing a hamster to a gerbil, even momentarily, can lead to violent fighting, injuries, and even death for one of the animals.

Similarities and Differences Between Gerbils and Hamsters

Both gerbils and hamsters are members of the rodent family, and they come from similar desert and steppe environments. But they evolved very differently over time, so they have some noticeable differences.

One of the biggest differences is the social needs and habits of hamsters and gerbils. 

Gerbils are exceptionally sociable, living in communal groups in their natural habitat. They thrive on interaction and need companions to play with and explore their surroundings.

Hamsters, on the other hand, lead a markedly different lifestyle. They’re creatures of solitude, preferring to be left alone most of the time. In their world, companionship is not sought after; rather, they value having their own space and time.

Learn more: Gerbil vs. Hamster: Which Pet is Right for You?

Understanding the Need for Individual Spaces

We’ve established that hamsters and gerbils require their own separate enclosures for their peace and well-being. But let’s delve a little deeper into the reasons behind this need for individual spaces. 

Fighting for territory

In their natural habitats, rodents sometimes encounter rodents of other species. They can avoid interacting with each other or sharing space by avoiding areas that smell like unfamiliar rodents. If they do come across a member of another species, they can quickly turn tail and run the other way.

In captivity, however, hamsters and gerbils have limited space (no matter how large an enclosure you provide). If there is a dispute over territory, which there inevitably will be, the defeated party can’t leave the area and set up camp elsewhere. 

This means that the two rodents will keep encountering one another and fighting, eventually escalating to more and more serious fights.

Causing undue stress

Even if you theoretically provided an enclosure that provided the recommended space for both the gerbil and the hamster to maintain their own territories, living in such close proximity to one another would cause stress for both animals. 

With no barriers separating their allotted spaces, there would be no safety measures to protect the weaker party from the stronger party. It’s also impossible to make sure that one doesn’t steal the other’s food, which will inevitably happen and lead to serious fighting. 

Gerbils need other gerbils

If you have a solitary gerbil and a hamster, you might wonder if the answer to your gerbil’s social needs is to move them in with your hamster. However, this isn’t safe and should never be attempted. Living near a hamster also doesn’t meet your gerbil’s social needs. 

Gerbils need to live in same-sex pairs or small groups to stay happy and healthy. If one of your gerbils passes away, you should try to pair them with another gerbil if at all possible. Older gerbils might struggle with bonding with a new partner, but if this is the case, the gerbil will need to remain solitary. 

Having a hamster nearby or in the same enclosure does not do anything for the gerbil socially, and will actually make their lack of a partner even more detrimental for them.

Learn more: Do Gerbils Like to Be Held? The Truth About Affectionate Gerbils

Can Gerbils and Hamsters Live in the Same Room?

We know that gerbils and hamsters can’t share a habitat. But what about living in the same room? 

Many people have both gerbils and a hamster, and it’s common to wonder if it’s OK to keep these two species in the same room. 

In short, yes: it is OK to keep gerbils and hamsters in the same room, with certain precautions.

Give adequate space to each enclosure

First, you’ll need to make sure that each enclosure has enough space–both for the enclosure itself and to separate the animal’s areas as much as possible. 

It’s ideal not to put both enclosures side by side because the scent of the opposite species can cause distress. Your hamster might smell your gerbils, or vice versa, and feel unwelcome or nervous in their own space. 

Over time, your animals will likely grow more comfortable and accustomed to each other’s smells, and they won’t notice it as much. But especially when bringing home a new pet, make sure to give each their space.

This might mean keeping your hamster and your gerbils in separate rooms or just distancing them as much as possible depending on your home.

Quarantine new animals

Giving your animal enclosures adequate space is especially important when you bring home new pets. Rodents sharing the same air space can pass contagious illnesses between them. This can include respiratory infections as well as mites and other parasites. 

When you adopt a new gerbil or hamster, you should keep them in a separate room from your other pets for at least two weeks while you observe them and give them any treatments necessary. 

Watch for signs of stress

Animals, including gerbils and hamsters, all have their own individual personalities, and they’ll react differently to the same situation. Some gerbils and hamsters might be made more uncomfortable by close proximity to other species.

It’s important to observe your pets and watch for any signs of distress. This includes any behavior that’s unusual for your pet, but especially repetitive behaviors, thumping their feet regularly (in the case of gerbils), and startling easily.

Use an air purifier

If you’re keeping gerbils and a hamster in the same room, an air purifier can help both you and your pets. Not only does it keep the dust down, which is important with small animals, but it can also help neutralize smells, helping your pets feel more comfortable being near another species. 

If you use an air purifier, make sure to use one without UV air sanitization, or make sure the UV setting is turned off. 

We use this Germ Guardian air purifier to keep our pet rooms free of dust and unpleasant smells.

Learn more: Do Pet Fancy Mice Smell Bad? + How to Minimize Mouse Odor

Can Gerbils and Hamsters Live Together: FAQs

Now let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to whether or not gerbils and hamsters can live together.

What animals can gerbils live with?

Gerbils are smart and resilient creatures who can adapt to many environmental factors. One of those is the presence of other animals in your home. With time and the proper precautions, gerbils can live in the same home as other animals. 

However, this does not mean that gerbils can live in the same habitat as other animals. Gerbils can only live with other gerbils in their enclosure.

Can gerbils be kept in a hamster cage?

Gerbil enclosures and hamster enclosures are very similar in many ways. The best enclosures for both species are uncomplicated and provide plenty of space. They also have similar size requirements. 

For gerbils, burrowing depth is even more important than for hamsters, although it’s essential for both species. Make sure that gerbils and Syrian hamsters have at least 10 inches of burrowing space. Dwarf hamsters need at least eight.

The vast majority of commercially available hamster cages are unfortunately not large enough for either gerbils or hamsters, and they don’t provide nearly enough burrowing depth.

What rodents can live together?

The only situation where two different species of rodents should live together in captivity is if it is female soft-fur rats with a male mouse. Soft-fur rats are similar enough to mice that their difference in species usually doesn’t cause issues. 

Because male mice can’t live in same-sex groups but have social needs, cohabitating them with female soft-fur rats is a common solution. Female soft-fur rats and male mice cannot produce offspring together.

Do hamsters need more space than gerbils?

A pair of gerbils and a single dwarf hamster need about the same amount of space — 615 square inches or above. For Syrian hamsters, we recommend at least 775 square inches. 

For both hamsters and gerbils, we recommend going above and beyond the minimum space requirements. However, be careful with gerbils because too much space or too complex of an enclosure with too many enrichment items can lead to declanning.

Learn more about hamster and gerbil minimum enclosure sizes:

Can Gerbils and Hamsters Live Together: In Conclusion

While gerbils and hamsters cannot live in the same enclosure together, that doesn’t mean that you can’t own both. If you have gerbils and a hamster in the same home, there are precautions you can take to make sure that both are comfortable and confident in their environments. 

The most important thing is to observe and understand your own pets and make adjustments based on their needs.