Enclosure Type
bin cage
Floor Space
4.4 sq ft
Dimensions
~37"L × 17"W (varies by bin)
Gerbil Minimum
2.5 sq ft
Verdict
Acceptable ✔️
💰 Typical Price: $20–$40
Our Verdict
Based on the floor space and enclosure type analysis above, this enclosure is acceptable ✔️ for a Gerbil.
🔨 DIY Setup: Cut a large ventilation panel in the lid and secure with metal mesh (not plastic craft mesh). Use cable ties around the perimeter. Search YouTube: "DIY bin cage hamster" for full walkthroughs.
Pros & Cons of the DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
✅ Pros
- Cheapest large enclosure option
- Excellent burrowing depth
- Fully customisable
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Great ventilation when mesh panel is cut correctly
❌ Cons
- DIY required (mesh cutting + cable ties)
- Less aesthetically pleasing
- Bin quality varies — check for rigid non-flexible walls
- Not suitable for climbing species
What Gerbils Need in an Enclosure
Gerbils need both burrowing depth and vertical climbing space. A "gerbilarium" — a deep-substrate tank base topped with a wire section — is the gold standard. Pure wire cages are unsuitable as gerbils will chew through plastic fittings and escape. Always house at least two.
⚠️ Things to Avoid for Gerbils
- Housing a single gerbil alone — causes severe stress and early death
- All-plastic enclosures — gerbils chew through everything
- Wire cages without a deep substrate base
- Enclosures under 20 gallons for a pair
- Hamster-marketed cages — nearly all are too small
Other Enclosures for Gerbils
- 10 Gallon Glass Tank
- 20 Gallon Long Glass Tank
- 40 Gallon Breeder Glass Tank
- 75 Gallon Glass Tank
- Single Critter Nation
- Double Critter Nation
- IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- C&C Grid Cage (2×4 Grids)
- C&C Grid Cage (2×5 Grids)
- Wire Dog Crate (Medium — 36")
- Wire Dog Crate (Large — 42")
- Heavy-Duty Escape-Proof Dog Crate
- Cat Tree / Condo (72"+ height)
- Indoor X-Pen / Exercise Pen
- PVC Reptile Enclosure (4'×2'×2')
Can Other Pets Live in a DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)?
- 🐹 Hamster in DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- 🐿️ Chinchilla in DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- 🐾 Guinea Pig in DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- 🐇 Rabbit in DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- 🐀 Rat in DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- 🐱 Cat in DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- 🐶 Dog in DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- 🦎 Bearded Dragon in DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)