Enclosure Type
glass cage
Floor Space
2.7 sq ft
Dimensions
17"W × 64"H × 17"D (used on its side)
Gerbil Minimum
2.5 sq ft
Verdict
Bare Minimum ⚠️
💰 Typical Price: $70–$90
Our Verdict
Based on the floor space and enclosure type analysis above, this enclosure is bare minimum ⚠️ for a Gerbil.
🔨 DIY Setup: Must be laid on its side. A custom mesh lid is required for ventilation. The glass shelf sits horizontally as the floor. Ventilation must be cut into the original back panel or a custom lid fabricated.
Pros & Cons of the IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
✅ Pros
- Great visibility from all angles
- Stylish and aesthetically pleasing
- Good burrowing depth when used on its side
- Affordable from IKEA
❌ Cons
- Requires DIY mesh ventilation lid
- Awkward dimensions — borderline for Syrians
- Not escape-proof without modifications
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
- DIY Bin Cage (110L / 640+ sq in)
- Single Critter Nation
- Double Critter Nation
- 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 IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)?
- 🐹 Hamster in IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- 🐿️ Chinchilla in IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- 🐾 Guinea Pig in IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- 🐇 Rabbit in IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- 🐀 Rat in IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- 🐱 Cat in IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- 🐶 Dog in IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)
- 🦎 Bearded Dragon in IKEA Detolf Glass Cabinet (converted)