Most rodents love tubes, in which they can run through and chew. Paper towel or toilet paper rolls are favorite toys among many small rodents. Like many other domestic rodents, gerbils require bedding or litter. Avoid using pine and cedar wood shavings in the gerbil's cage, as the harmful oils of these substances are dangerous to most rodents. Appropriate bedding can include newspapers, rags, aspen chips, paper towels or shredded cardboard.
Gerbils enjoy sunflower seeds, alfalfa pellets, vegetables and nuts.
Your gerbil should be provided with fresh water daily. Specially made water bottles which attach to the inside of the cage are highly recommended. Because gerbil's teeth grow continuously throughout his lifetime, you'll also need to provide him with a sterilized bone or twig. Twigs and small branches can be picked from outside, as long as pesticides have not been used on the tree. Like many rodents, they are social animals.