Can you shave a Mongolian Gerbil?

A Mongolian Gerbil should not be shaved. The undercoat keeps heat out as well as in, and the outer coat shields the skin from sun and insect bites. Clipping the whole coat off removes both. It often grows back patchy, soft or a different colour, and in some animals the guard hairs never return properly. Brush the undercoat out instead of cutting it off.

Can you clip a Mongolian Gerbil at home?

A Mongolian Gerbil should only be clipped by someone experienced with the species. The skin here is thin enough to tear under a clipper blade, and the animal can panic at being held still. Trimming or mat removal should be left to a vet or a groomer who works with this species regularly.

Mongolian Gerbil

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Coat and grooming

How the Mongolian Gerbil coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.

Coat layers: Double coat
Coat texture: Smooth
Coat length: Short
Shedding: Moderate shedding

Grooming guidance

Critical: A Mongolian Gerbil should not be shaved.
The undercoat keeps heat out as well as in, and the outer coat shields the skin from sun and insect bites. Clipping the whole coat off removes both. It often grows back patchy, soft or a different colour, and in some animals the guard hairs never return properly. Brush the undercoat out instead of cutting it off.
Caution: A Mongolian Gerbil should only be clipped by someone experienced with the species.
The skin here is thin enough to tear under a clipper blade, and the animal can panic at being held still. Trimming or mat removal should be left to a vet or a groomer who works with this species regularly.