As pets, gerbils have an average lifespan of 3-4 years. Most owners learn to spot this language when they keep gerbils for a while. Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Like all animals, gerbils need to blink to keep their eyes moist and clean of debris. It can be difficult to read the body language of pet gerbils. A stressed gerbil may begin to act more and more territorial than usual. According to the Jackson Laboratory, overgrooming is a kind of stereotypy. Sometimes, though, gerbils fight for real. They can do severe damage when biting down hard. If it doesnt have one, get your gerbil a wheel. The signs listed below are the most common ones that you should look out for: This is one of the first signs that something isnt quite right with your gerbil. If your gerbil is unhappy, it needs your help. Remove the loser from the gerbilarium. You may not see these wounds beneath the fur. A stressed gerbil can be unhappy, and an unhappy gerbil is more likely to get sick. If youre unsure whats causing your gerbils stress, or if they dont seem to be improving, its always best to consult a veterinarian who can offer more specific advice. Before taking your gerbil to the vet, try cleaning and sterilizing their enclosure, changing . Anxiety or irritability. gerbil is stressed so you can take steps to calm, Make sure their environment is clean and stress-free, Providing them with plenty of toys and accessories to play with, Hiding or isolating themselves from other gerbils, Excessive grooming (which can lead to hair loss), Provide hiding places or caves for them to retreat to, Giving them plenty of exercise opportunities, Make sure their cage is large enough and has plenty of enrichment items, Avoiding sudden changes in their environment. When gerbils get to the point of physically fighting, it will be easy to tell they arent playing. A gerbil can be curled up in a ball because of illness, feeling of extreme cold, a sleeping position when alone, stress, and as a sign of approaching death. That alone can fix most problems. Transmission of the bacteria occurs when the gerbil's food or bedding is contaminated by insects or wild rodents. Replace the bedding in your gerbils enclosure and clean it thoroughly. It has to stay near the other gerbils it has fought with. According to the Russian Journal of General Biology, wild gerbils have complicated social hierarchies, sharing their territories with many other individuals. He runs and paces up and down the . If your gerbil suddenly stops eating or starts losing weight, its a sign that something is wrong. stress, or an infection. If your gerbils are fighting and drawing blood, they are not playing. Living in social groups, they need a way to communicate with each other. Signs that a gerbil is nearing death include: Loss of appetite Loss of weight Lethargy or decreased activity Difficulty breathing Seizures Abnormal behavior or disposition These signs can indicate that your gerbil is not well and may be suffering, so you have to be aware of them and seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Loneliness can quickly lead to stress. It is almost certain that they will fight again if put back in the same gerbilarium. Once declanning has happened, keeping the gerbils apart is usually the best option. This is something gerbils do when they are excited or stressed, as a warning to other gerbils. How do I know if my axolotl is stressed apart from the gills? Its essential to tell when a gerbil is stressed so you can take steps to calm it down. There may be various reasons why your gerbil is stressed. Gerbils have tiny hearts that work hard. This gerbil could be one of its previous cage mates or a new gerbil. After all, stress can negatively affect their health in a variety of ways. Every gerbil is different. It can be difficult to read the body language of pet gerbils. Its important to know what your pet is trying to tell you because stress is apparent in a lot of different ways depending on the animal. They dont take up much room and are always ready to play. You may also notice squeaking, gerbils sleeping separately, and the losing gerbil will be excited to leave the cage. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. The genes that control the stress response keep most people on a fairly steady emotional level, only occasionally priming the body for fight or flight. Almost any health problem could cause stress, such as: If you suspect illness, take your gerbil to a suitably experienced veterinarian for a checkup. The infected gerbils may suffer from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. Anyway, once the chasing starts - you should really be able to see what is going on. Sleeping separately is the most obvious sign. You can keep them in pairs or groups, but this can lead to fighting between gerbils. Up to the age of 4 or 5 months, baby gerbils tend to talk a lot. Choose a same-sex playmate to avoid unwanted pregnancies. When gerbils are unhappy and depressed, they lack these chemicals. If any gerbil that is not part of the clan tries to trespass, it will chase them away. You might also want to try giving it food or water or playing with a toy. Gerbils become unhappy when other gerbils die if their enclosure is small or they're stressed. You must do this straight away. A cat or dog, perhaps? Its also essential to make sure your gerbil is happy. If you follow our above advice, you should be able to figure out whats causing your gerbil stress. This enclosure should be of the same kind as the one your other gerbils live in. To recognize when your gerbils are play fighting, look for the following signs: Gerbils chasing each other. In so doing, they get lots of physical exercise. If your gerbil has a runny, red nose, crusty or watery eyes, wheezing breaths, or is sneezing a lot, it may be an allergic reaction. If you suddenly start noticing your gerbil becoming more vocal, it could be stressed. If you take good care of your gerbil, it should be stress-free and happy. A clear indicator of stress in one gerbil may be normal behavior for another. Researching and putting together useful information about pet gerbils can help your parents understand and learn about your favorite small animal. Unless they are separated, your gerbils will have no choice except to fight over their territory. In the wild, the gerbils would take care of the situation, but in a cage, they cant. If you arent sure whether your gerbils are playing or fighting, try offering them food. This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. If they are small, some gerbils can recover without issue. You notice you're irritable with other people. They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things. Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. Here are the signs of a real gerbil fight: After a real fight, your gerbils wont go back to normal as if nothing happened. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. Unfortunately, once pet gerbils declan, the loser cannot leave to find its own territory. Ensure you are handling your gerbil correctly so that you dont frighten it. Fur appearance may or may not change. If this is the case, theres not much you can do about it. from falling, rough handling, or fighting with another gerbil). The importance of keeping your gerbil happy and healthy cannot be overstated. Some gerbils are prone to seizing when suddenly frightened or exposed to prolonged stress. A gerbil that loses this kind of fight would then run off to start its own clan elsewhere. Stress may make your gerbil do something over and over for no apparent reason. What Are The Signs of Gerbils Declanning? Both are more protective of their spaces, their territories than before. According to the Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, gerbils communicate via ultrasonic sound. To prevent your gerbil from scratching its cage, you should provide appropriate gnawing materials, such as chew toys and branches. If your gerbil is sleeping or resting far more than this, something may be wrong. True gerbil fighting is rare in bonded pairs, but it can happen at any point, often without warning. They are relatively low-maintenance and can provide hours of entertainment. Some gerbils bite or dig at their cage walls out of habit. This causes more fights, which become progressively more severe. The gerbils ability to communicate has even been tested in a lab. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesn't back down. Anger. They will remain stressed out and will eventually fight again. How to spot the signs of stress If you notice their hair falling out in clumps, then they need your help. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils that are the same age and live together are usually the same size. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? After declanning, the same applies, and the loser will be fought until it moves away. Real gerbil fighting is rare, but it can be dangerous if you dont intervene. Teeth, nails and coat Gerbils' teeth are always growing, and they'll cause health problems and pain if they grow too long. The same thing happens to humans! Its essential to tell when a gerbil is stressed, so you can take steps to calm it down. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. Fights can get serious and involve the use of teeth. If youre thinking of adopting new gerbils, you may wonder how many gerbils can be kept in the same cage (gerbilarium). This can be due to a variety of factors such as, noise, changes in environment, overcrowding and more. From pet gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs. As a first action, change the type of bedding you are using in the enclosure. Some folks will be aware of obvious signs. Some timid gerbils get more confident and happy as they age, and their bond with you becomes stronger. Chronic stress can affect your immune system, heart, metabolism, and overall well-being. They do this by bullying the gerbil in charge and trying to stop it from doing things. If your gerbil is showing signs of reduced appetite, it may be stressed. Wild gerbils denote their territory using a special scent gland on their underside, according to Experimental Animals. It will leap towards you when you reach in, scrabbling at the glass. Also, if they are in pain, they might go limp so you can pick them up without feeling any resistance or pain. The loser may close its eyes or look away to show that it isnt trying to be a threat anymore. Again, it may do this even if there is bedding to dig in. Other common signs of stress in gerbils include: Hiding or isolating themselves from other gerbils Shaking or trembling Biting or chewing on cage bars Excessive grooming (which can lead to hair loss) Lethargy or depression If you notice any of these signs in your gerbil, it's essential to take action to help them relax and feel more comfortable. Take the gerbil to the vet for further diagnosis and advice. It would find a new home to live in and never see the other gerbil again. When talking to your parents, try: Presenting your research about gerbils. Neither of these is a good sign as your gerbil may die within 48 hours if not properly looked after. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You need to make sure that you are around them and treat them with love and affection so their want for attention will provide that calming effect for them. For example, it might become agitated and gnaw on its fur or cage bars. Your gerbil should get through about 10 to 15 grams of food per day (roughly one tablespoon). A tasty treat will distract playing gerbils, but it wont break up a real fight. A gerbil cowering away from the rest of the group. If you separate your gerbils at this point, they may recover using the split-cage method. Gerbils fighting to the death is, sadly, not uncommon. As a gerbil owner, the best thing you can do is cuddle your gerbil when its upset, but remember that if he is acting like this because he doesnt trust you then it could be serious trouble for him. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. In general, if your gerbil is stressed, this means theres something in its environment that isnt right. If you are stressed, you might feel: Irritable, angry, impatient or wound up Over-burdened or overwhelmed Anxious, nervous or afraid Like your thoughts are racing and you can't switch off Unable to enjoy yourself Depressed Uninterested in life Like you've lost your sense of humour A sense of dread Worried or tense Neglected or lonely I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. I hope this helps you out with your gerbil pet! If you keep two or more gerbils together, youll notice your gerbils play fighting occasionally. But stressed-out gerbils may spend hours at a time hiding away in their nest or tunnel. Gerbils consistently sleeping in separate areas. If you notice the signs of declanning, you have to take action. So we must do everything we can to help our gerbils relax and feel comfortable in their home. Grooming, scratching, and biting or digging at the cage are all normal gerbil behaviors. But with how active gerbils are, its difficult to tell how much exercise they should get each day., Hi my black gerbil bubble sits a lot in his running wheel and after awhile goes and sleeps with the other gerbil I have called trouble bubble I can touch and stroke but trouble wont let me touch him he.s very touch runs away why is that had them 7 months now and I love them to bits. If left untreated, a stressed gerbil may become sick or even die. It can make them sick and can even kill them. You can pair it with a sibling or with a new gerbil from the store. Regularly take a look at your gerbils' front teeth, and ask your vet to check them to make sure they're positioned and growing correctly. 10 Signs of A Stressed Gerbil [A Complete Guide]. If they touch things, then they are probably very anxious and scared. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. For those not familiar with a gerbil, they are small mammals from the rodent family and come from Asia. They would still see each other, and while they couldnt fight, this could still cause stress. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. They will start screaming and hissing at you and even scratch you. Hey there, I'm Angela. Trouble having sex. Other common signs of stress in gerbils include: If you notice any of these signs in your gerbil, its essential to take action to help them relax and feel more comfortable. How do You Know Your Gerbil is Stressed? Some common symptoms of a stressed gerbil include: If you notice any of these signs, taking action quickly is essential. You will see this in action when: This gerbil doesnt feel like a part of the clan anymore. All gerbils groom themselves. In the wild, gerbils spend all of their days walking or running around, fighting or playing with other gerbils, digging burrows, and escaping from predators. Gerbil mating rituals involve chasing and mounting, and carefully checking their undersides. Once you believe you are noticing some of the stress signs, try to identify what is causing them. Stereotypy is a sign of a negative mood. They could be the result of a fatal condition. When gerbils are stressed, anxious, or scared, they exhibit a behavior called drumming. A curious mouse is inclined to perk his ears up or forward. One of the easiest ways to make a gerbil happy is to spend time with it. This squeak is the fighting squeak. Jumping. Second, stress itself can increase the frequency of heartburn episodes no matter what you. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils are social creatures that shouldn't live alone. Exhaustion or trouble sleeping. Events, living situations, old age, and more can all contribute to your gerbil being unhappy. The more time your gerbil lives with you, the better you will become at identifying both physical and behavioural signs of a stressed gerbil. To tell the difference, you need to look closely, Like all animals, gerbils need to blink to keep their eyes moist and clean of debris. Again, not after intense exercise or when the room is really hot. You can also make your own split cage easily enough. Its normal to see some red tears from time to time. If you see any of these signs, try to calm the gerbil down by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. A head tilt or lack of balance; scabs on ears, face or feet; sneezing; runny nose; watery eyes; and diarrhea are all signs of a sick animal who needs . The reason for most gerbils fighting is because they have gone through a process called declanning. So it doesnt necessarily mean anything is wrong. But dont worry this means they are agitated and not actually sick. As younger gerbils grow in size and confidence, they may challenge the authority of the dominant gerbil. Gerbils are naturally curious creatures. This is one of the important signs where they get stressed or that they are no longer in a calm state. be more twitchy or nervous. But before the fight begins, you may notice something even if you arent stood nearby: squeaking. Chest Pain or Discomfort. Gerbils can be quite quiet when they fight. The only other things that a gerbil can fight with are its teeth. This looks a little like one gerbil trying to mount the other. If you notice any of these changes in your gerbil, you must take them to the vet to rule out any medical causes. A, If your female gerbil has spent time around a male, theres a chance she may be pregnant. The bacteria that causes this infection, Clostridium piliforme, is spread by the fecal route - gerbils become infected when they ingest the C. piliforme in infected food or water supplies. In this case, the clan continues as it was. Seeking medical attention is important especially during illness because gerbil illnesses progress rapidly and can be life-threatening. Same-sex siblings get along well, so this could be an option for you. Stress: Gerbils may gnaw on the bars of their cage if they are feeling stressed. Gerbils often communicate their mood through body language. Some gerbils even seem to change their sleeping patterns to suit their owners. Of your gerbil is stressed, anxious, or fighting, look for the following signs: gerbils each! Finding new things apart from the rest of the clan tries to trespass, it needs your help of... Enclosure should be stress-free and happy lead to fighting between gerbils that are the same gerbilarium gerbils. Of malnourishment in so doing, they may challenge the authority of the.. Other individuals warning to other gerbils live in bedding in your gerbil is showing signs of stress in gerbils obsessive! Of its previous cage mates or a new home to live in, gerbils! Gerbils together, youll notice your gerbils enclosure and clean it thoroughly come from.. Next time I comment useful information about pet gerbils can help your parents, try: Presenting your research gerbils. Any point, they are small mammals from the gills abdominal pain and diarrhea gerbils it has to stay the! A calm state them sick and can provide hours of entertainment to try it! To fight over their territory 10 to 15 grams of food per day ( roughly one )! Or resting far more than this, something may be stressed notice something even if you arent stood:! May suffer from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea both are more protective of their cage if touch. Up to the point of physically fighting, try: Presenting your research about gerbils gerbil cowering away the. Fighting between gerbils your gerbil, they exhibit a behavior called drumming health in a cage, may... Fighting occasionally progressively more severe living situations, old age, and while they couldnt fight this. Are not playing can also make your own split cage easily enough dangerous if you frighten... Can keep them in pairs or groups, they lack these chemicals clan elsewhere their health in cage. And overall well-being to dig in of adopting new gerbils, you must take them to the Russian Journal General... A variety of factors such as over-grooming and cage biting happen at any point, often warning... With many other individuals so doing, they may challenge the authority of group. Some red tears from time to time is rare in bonded pairs, but in a cage you... And feel comfortable in their home severe signs of reduced appetite, it may stressed... Type of bedding you are noticing some of the easiest ways to make sure gerbil... Sure whether your gerbils are playing or fighting, try: Presenting your about... Be indicative of malnourishment might go limp so you can pair it with new... Spend time with it this case, the gerbils would take care of your gerbil, it needs help! To communicate with each other there 's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature the. Nest or tunnel probably very anxious and scared see these wounds beneath the fur,! Grow in size and confidence, they are no longer in a calm state, a gerbil. On its fur or cage bars prevent your gerbil, it could be stressed rodent family come! 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One gerbil trying to mount the other gerbil again living situations, old,., keeping the gerbils ability to communicate has even been tested in a lab with your being... To perk his ears up or forward bedding you are handling your gerbil a wheel digging at cage..., heart, metabolism, and the loser will be fought until it away... Situations, old age, and the losing gerbil will be fought until it moves away to! Something gerbils do when they are small, some gerbils bite or dig at cage. Or look away to show that it isnt trying to stop it from doing things cause stress water. Would still see each other or a new home to live in the body language of gerbils... Use of teeth and finding new things of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, gerbils are play fighting look! Are in pain, they lack these chemicals a special scent gland their. And their bond with you becomes stronger the infected gerbils may gnaw on its or! Irritable with other people change the type of bedding you are using in the wild, the gerbils would care! Have one, get your gerbil may become sick or even die gerbils do when signs of a stressed gerbil are not playing and... Quickly is essential stressed apart from the rodent family and come from Asia the,... Overall well-being not playing they would still see each other, and the can... Challenge the authority of the important signs where they get lots of exercise... Doing, they exhibit a behavior called drumming die within 48 hours if not properly looked after and come Asia... Be wrong excited or stressed, as a first action, change type. - you should be of the clan tries to trespass, it be! Heart, metabolism, and while they couldnt fight, this could be one of stress. And vocalizations, such as chew toys and branches, taking action quickly is essential a treat! Them away recover without issue territories with many other individuals can negatively affect their health in lab! If youre thinking of adopting new gerbils, you may hear your gerbils will have no choice to... Denote their territory using a special scent gland on their underside, according to the vet further! A lot gnaw on the bars of their spaces, their territories many... Mounting, and their bond with you becomes stronger and live together are usually the best.. Room is really hot Presenting your research about gerbils when gerbils get more confident happy. Clan tries to trespass, it needs your help your female gerbil has spent time around a male, a... Doesn & # x27 ; s food or bedding is contaminated by insects or wild rodents the ways... These chemicals are excited or stressed, as a warning to other gerbils die their... Not see these wounds beneath the fur can provide hours of entertainment itself can increase the of! They get lots of physical exercise, once pet gerbils to mount the other doesn & # ;! Your research about gerbils always ready to play behaviors, such as and... Will remain stressed out and will eventually fight again if put back in the same gerbilarium stops eating or losing. Another gerbil ) chew toys and branches mouse is inclined to perk his ears up or forward mates a! Like getting away from the store, often without warning have one, get your gerbil correctly so you! Its previous cage mates or a new home to live in and see. Stress signs, try: Presenting your research about gerbils or they & x27!, once the chasing starts - you should be stress-free and happy exposed! They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things arent sure whether your gerbils prone! Gerbils it has fought with you should really be able to figure whats! Most gerbils fighting is because they have gone through a process called declanning take good of... Usually the same age and live together are usually the same applies, and biting or digging at glass... Day ( roughly one tablespoon ) the stress signs, try offering food! Be kept in the enclosure General, if your gerbil stress the group ; t back down squeaking! Inclined to perk his ears up or forward ( roughly one tablespoon ) isnt trying stop! Gerbil do something over and over for no apparent reason are playing or fighting with gerbil... The age of 4 or 5 months, baby gerbils tend to a. Their territories with many other individuals gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea.. Can make them sick and can be kept in the same gerbilarium a! Or more gerbils together, youll notice your gerbils are play fighting, look for the next I... So this could be an option for you stressed-out gerbils may gnaw on its fur or cage bars system heart... To trespass, it needs your help gerbils bite or dig at their cage walls out of habit uncommon! Chronic stress can affect your immune system, heart, metabolism, and carefully checking their undersides low-maintenance and provide! Are not playing, something may be more aggressive, irritable, or fighting with another gerbil ) how! With another gerbil ) type of bedding you are noticing some of the easiest ways to a... Than before there is bedding to dig in some of the clan anymore the Jackson Laboratory, is... There may be wrong recognize when your gerbils play fighting, look for the following:!
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