Gerbils are desert-dwelling animals so they are not fond of water baths. If your gerbil gets something sticky on him, you may need to spot clean him with a cloth dampened in lukewarm water. However, the best way to keep your gerbil clean is through a dust bath. Purchase chinchilla sand from a reputable pet supply dealer. This sand will help remove oils and dirt from your gerbil but won’t cause respiratory issues from dust in the air. You can also purchase a dust bath or use a plastic container. Put a few inches of sand in the container and place it in your gerbil’s cage to explore. He should start rolling around in the sand to get clean. Only leave the bath in the cage for about 15 minutes and try another day if your gerbil isn’t interested. Otherwise he could start using it as a litter box. Contact your Folsom, CA vet to learn more.