The incisor teeth of the rodents keep growing continuously so we conclude that gnawing is a healthy habit. Teeth will not stop growing if the mandibles are not aligned, but this is a pathological situation. Toys and ramps in the cage are useful to distract the animals. These pets also like to build nests and a good option of material is the cardboard cylinder that comes inside the paper toilet roll. It can be chewed on and be transformed into nests.
Ceramic toys are more difficult to be chewed and ingested.
A good option for a cage is a large fish tank. Infectious Diseases Gerbils are rodents and can transmit diseases, though this is improbable when they are kept in domestic environments and in good sanitary conditions. One of the transmittable diseases is salmonellosis. This bacterium is often involved in cases of outbreaks of food poisoning. Gerbils should be kept in clean places and be taken to the veterinarian at the first signs of disease.