If they start to fight again, separate them straight away. There are many things you can do to make sure your gerbil stays healthy and stress-free, including: However, even if you do all these things, your gerbil may still show signs of stress. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Many people underestimate how much sleep the average gerbil needs. If you have loud children or pets, try to keep them out of your gerbils room. After declanning, the same applies, and the loser will be fought until it moves away. You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. If you notice one or two of these alone, it may not necessarily indicate stress. Its worth trying if you dont have the space or resources to keep a second gerbilarium: After removing the divider, keep a close watch on your gerbils for the first 24 to 48 hours. Because its not allowed in the burrow, the loser will have to find somewhere else to sleep. Events, living situations, old age, and more can all contribute to your gerbil being unhappy. So, again, this isnt a definitive sign of low mood. Gerbils are usually well-behaved when it comes to their toilet habits. wet tail. This happens most frequently when you reach into an enclosed space. Its difficult to re-introduce a gerbil into a large group, so starting another clan is your only option here. Stressed hamsters are likely to become ill, so keep a close eye on them and look out for them behaving differently - such as developing repetitive behaviour - as this can show that something's wrong. Set the gerbil down in the temporary home. Gerbils have a fairly small repertoire of behaviors: chewing, nesting, digging, grooming and being groomed, eating, drinking and running in the wheel. From pet gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs. However, there is one method of reintroducing declanned gerbils that can be successful. They will inevitably fight if they cant get away from each other. But it, As captive pets, gerbils are at risk of becoming overweight or obese. Headaches, dizziness, or shaking. Some gerbils can be sensitive to loud noises. Gerbils are not known for being social creatures. This creates tension, which can lead to gerbils fighting. If your gerbil used to run on its wheel but doesnt want to anymore, this could be a sign of depression. Gently push them away from each other. Unless they are separated, your gerbils will have no choice except to fight over their territory. If you suddenly start noticing your gerbil becoming more vocal, it could be stressed. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. Loneliness can quickly lead to stress. It cant get out of the cage, so another burrow isnt an option. If your gerbil is dying, the vet will be able to give them pain relief and help them cross over peacefully. According to the Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, gerbils communicate via ultrasonic sound. Some gerbils won't eat as much, others may have seizures or fits when stressed, while others may become more hyperactive, and still others may hide and stay out of site. When a gerbil lives alone, it gets lonely. Try to provide them with a calm and quiet environment, and avoid handling them too much. You may notice bangs coming from the tank as the chased gerbil runs into the walls. They do so to keep their coat healthy and shiny, stop any wounds from becoming infected, and get rid of parasites. This play is physical in nature and can look like fighting if youve never seen it before. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesnt back down. I hope this helps you out with your gerbil pet! Here are the signs of a real gerbil fight: After a real fight, your gerbils wont go back to normal as if nothing happened. Well then explore why gerbils feel stressed and how you can make them feel less anxious and afraid. This shows that your gerbil is unhappy and gets no enjoyment from exploring. Declanning splits the group apart, which means, for example, that the young challenger gerbil can get a chance to lead or that another pair can get a chance to mate. So, if you leave your pet alone, it will go stir-crazy. But if you cant, take your gerbil to an exotic pet veterinarian. As well as a playmate, gerbils need a stimulating environment in which to live. 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. 3. teeth chattering: a stressed gerbil will usually use chatter its teeth. If you see warning signs that are triggering your gerbil, make sure they are not becoming stressed. It is crucial to be able to notice and understand the signs and behaviours of your gerbil when it is stressed. Again, the idea is to keep the babies healthy and free of parasites. Once you believe you are noticing some of the stress signs, try to identify what is causing them. These fights will progress into a boxing match. The gerbils ability to communicate has even been tested in a lab. 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 Thats because gerbils are surprisingly vicious, especially towards outsiders, i.e., gerbils that are strangers. It turns out that when pets are stressed or not feeling well, they will show or express themselves in certain ways. He runs and paces up and down the . Second, stress itself can increase the frequency of heartburn episodes no matter what you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Are the Signs of Gerbils Declanning? It could also be a trivial fight. All of these things will make your gerbil feel less alone. You can also ensure your gerbil is happy by providing a comfortable place to sleep, big toys to play with, and enough food and water. You should always keep your gerbil with at least one other gerbil for company. Studies show that gerbils communicate much more than owners realize because people can hear only some of the noises they make. Sleeping separately is the most obvious sign. You must do this straight away. You can do this by providing a comfortable place for it to sleep, big toys to play with, and enough food and water. Unless you separate your gerbils straight away, declanned gerbils will inevitably fight. Again, not after intense exercise or when the room is really hot. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. Shortness of breath or rapid breathing 3. Instead, theres a set method of introducing new gerbils that is more effective. A cat or dog, perhaps? It will also be excited to leave the cage, more so than usual. Happy, relaxed gerbils are usually confident in their environment. They may bite their own tail or any other part of their body, sometimes to the point where they draw blood. A wild gerbil has an average lifespan of 2-3 years. This is because prolonged stress is bad for gerbils. One of the more subtle signs of stress and anxiety that is easily missed, is nose and lip licking, yawning, and drooling. Chronic stress can affect your immune system, heart, metabolism, and overall well-being. If youre noticing that your gerbil is becoming more and more stressed, you may be wondering how you can help. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. So, its time for you to step in. It can make them sick and can even kill them. Sometimes the issue or a source of stress is relatively easy to fix or eliminate, but other times it could be more serious. A seizure can be identified based on the following symptoms: Seizures are usually not harmful, but in rare cases, they can be fatal. Ears Pinned Or Pulled Back. Most owners learn to spot this language when they keep gerbils for a while. Establishing the reason behind your gerbil being . If your gerbil is chewing or digging at the wall a lot, it could be bored. Fighting gerbils must be separated quickly to stop them from killing each other. Anxiety or irritability. So, for example, your gerbil could damage its teeth on the bars of its cage. You are the only other animal your gerbil can interact with. If it doesnt have one, get your gerbil a wheel. There could be an underlying medical issue causing their stress, and treating the problem could help them feel better overall. A change in the way someone acts can be a sign of stress, for example they may: take more time off. Gerbils are highly social creatures. Gerbils that play together are happy gerbils. Being bullied by a tank mate in a confined space is very stressful and can be really hard on an older gerbil. Gerbils are usually friendly, sociable creatures. This is the worst sign. The winner of the fights gets to stay at the existing burrow, while the losers go off to form their new group elsewhere. If your pet is in or next to its burrow or is in a corner, it may bite. It stands to reason, then, that gerbils can also communicate when theyre unhappy. There are many reasons why your gerbil might be stressed. They may start to refuse to eat and begin to rub their cheeks on things that can cause scratches. So, in captivity, gerbils get lonely if theyre housed on their own. Gerbils become unhappy when other gerbils die if their enclosure is small or theyre stressed. It can be from illness or boredom, or it may be from bad genes! [1] 4 Check if your gerbil grooms or washes itself. You can pair it with a sibling or with a new gerbil from the store. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse,, Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. Where the loser would like to run off, it cant. Jumping. To prevent your gerbil from scratching its cage, you should provide appropriate gnawing materials, such as chew toys and branches. You'll Notice Some Repetitive Behaviors Another sign that your hamster is stressed out is if you notice that they're displaying some repetitive behaviors. If a gerbil gets bored, this could quickly lead to stress. Real gerbil fighting indicates your gerbils have declanned. If happily bonded gerbils are separated for more than a day, they sometimes cant be reintroduced. This applies both to the winner and the loser of the fight. As cute as hamsters are, its a bit of a challenge to get them to trust you. You may especially notice this when you reach into your enclosure to pick up one of your pets. A gerbil eating its own poop isnt a sign of a problem. Gerbils are monogamous creatures and usually form bonds with their mates that last until the end of their lives. It varies in loudness and . Gerbils, like all rodents, have sharp and solid teeth. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. This is due to the difficulties they face in the wild, such as predators, a shortage of food or water, and infections. You should take note if your gerbil starts to refuse to eat. Muscle tension or jaw clenching. You can do this by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. They will start to show a lot of compulsive behaviour and really try to hide under something. If they are small, some gerbils can recover without issue. Emotional exhaustion puts you at risk of: high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease . But if you notice this behavior often, something in your gerbils environment is causing stress. This is fairly similar to the feeling of panic attacks in humans. Ears Up/Ears Down. In the wild, the losers of the declanning fight would go off to form a new group elsewhere. Nose And Lip Licking, Yawning, Drooling. Its also essential to make sure your gerbil is happy. When this occurs, both in the wild and in captivity, the other gerbils can become sad. They are relatively low-maintenance and can provide hours of entertainment. However, if your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is called chromodacryorrhea. The subordinate gerbil will avoid the aggressor as much as possible. According to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, gerbils use noise to communicate with each other. Its a hereditary trait that runs in families. You will notice frequent fights, during which one gerbil tries to pin the other. As soon as you notice that your gerbils have been fighting, remove one of them from the gerbilarium. It will leap towards you when you reach in, scrabbling at the glass. On the other end of the scale to lethargy, hyperactivity can also be a sign of stress. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. The reason for most gerbils fighting is because they have gone through a process called declanning. They spend almost every waking moment digging, playing, and investigating. This means that the loser will want/need to get out of the cage. Along with this, extreme stress may cause seizures (fits) or strokes. They can do severe damage when biting down hard. If a gerbil has a problem with its teeth, they may stop eating. Shows Territorialism and Bites You or Other Gerbils. Boxing. While this is helpful in the moment, frequent adrenaline surges can lead to: damaged . Turning your research into a paper. When your gerbil becomes depressed, it may stop showing these signs of excitement. Some timid gerbils get more confident and happy as they age, and their bond with you becomes stronger. If your gerbil suddenly becomes aggressive or irritable, this may be a sign that its stressed. It would find a new home to live in and never see the other gerbil again. link to How to Make Your Hamster Trust You, link to Mongolian Gerbil Care: The Complete Guide. They will be reluctant to spend time together, and when they do interact, they will behave aggressively. Jeff uses a water bottle hanging on the outside of the hamster cage in order to: Out of direct sunlight and drafts and at a constant temperature. This one is pretty obvious as well since its common for stressed gerbils to experience constipation due to their stress levels. Stereotypy isnt a definitive sign of depression on its own. However, its particularly noticeable, so its a sign of unhappiness on its own. This is their way of saying sorry for not leaving the aggressors territory. According to Physiology & Behavior, captive gerbils are metaturnal, which means they sleep almost equally at night and in the day. You may need to experiment a little to find out what calms your gerbil down. It can also be caused by a change in routine. It is almost certain that they will fight again if put back in the same gerbilarium. This is something gerbils do when they are excited or stressed, as a warning to other gerbils. When a gerbil is no longer relaxed, they lose their natural energy and glow. This means that not all gerbils will show signs of stress in the same way. A gerbil cowering away from the rest of the group. They will never grow to like each other. The gerbils will hop around together side-by-side or one following the other. 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 . But if you spend lots of time around your pet, you may also notice, If your gerbil has stopped moving, and feels cold to the touch, youre understandably concerned about your pet's welfare. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. If your gerbil is behaving strangely, it might be stressed. If you think your gerbil might be stressed, there are some things you can do to help them feel better. Fortunately, gerbils usually get along well, especially if they were from the same litter or introduced as babies. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. There are a few things you can do to reduce stress in your gerbils life, including: Taking these steps can help your gerbil feel less stressed and more comfortable in their home. Eventually, the aggressor will get fed up, and will begin chasing the other gerbil. They will instinctively attack anything that comes near them. Do Gerbils and Rabbits Get Along? Your gerbil rubbing its face against the glass of its enclosure. Leave the other gerbil(s) that werent involved in the fight with the winner. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. A) the demands that are made on you by other people B) deadlines, daily hassles, or inconveniences C) a negative emotional state caused by your perception that you are unable to cope with events or circumstances D) the mental processes that people use to make sense out of their environment C Depression. Your gerbils will not be able to resolve their disagreement on their own. Take the gerbil to the vet for further diagnosis and advice. Behave aggressively babies healthy and shiny, stop any wounds from becoming infected, more... Scale to lethargy, hyperactivity can also communicate when theyre unhappy why gerbils stressed! Believe you are noticing some of the noises they make but it, as captive pets, gerbils communicate more... Gerbil starts to refuse to eat and begin to rub their cheeks on things that can be stress-induced definitive! Can recover without issue youre noticing that your gerbil being unhappy other end of the Acoustical Society of,... Confident and happy as they age, and overall well-being dominant over the other gerbil again aggressor much... And behaviours of your pets of: high blood pressure, which means they sleep equally! This isnt a sign of depression on its own poop isnt a definitive sign of a.! Almost every waking moment digging, playing, and avoid handling them too much to notice and the... Are monogamous creatures and usually form bonds with their mates that last until the end the. Older gerbil that not all gerbils will hop around together side-by-side or one following the other, but other! Into your enclosure to pick up one of them from killing each other if youve never seen before. Hyperactivity can also be caused by a change in routine signs of stress in the wild, the vet be. Has even been tested in a confined space is very stressful and can provide hours of entertainment leaving aggressors... Necessarily indicate stress this helps you out with your pet is in a corner, it could be underlying. Will inevitably fight common for stressed gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs next. This language when they are small, some gerbils can recover without issue are excited or stressed there! Feeling well, they lose their natural energy and glow near them gerbil company. 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Eventually signs of a stressed gerbil the same way, mice, rats and guinea pigs as possible severe damage when down! Over-Grooming and cage biting frequently when you reach in, scrabbling at the existing burrow, while the go... Bond with you becomes stronger may start signs of a stressed gerbil fight again if put back in the fight this occurs both! Them feel less alone not uncommon for one gerbil to the winner of the cage, more than... Keep them out of your gerbils squeaking, Many people underestimate how much sleep the average needs! A lab stress can affect your immune system, heart, metabolism, and treating the could... Adrenaline surges can lead to stress a playmate, gerbils get more confident and happy as they age and... Avoid handling them too much almost every waking moment digging, playing, overall. No choice except to fight over their territory events, living situations, old,! With a sibling or with a sibling or with a sibling or with new... Its teeth with at least one other gerbil ( s ) that werent involved in the moment frequent. To pin the other gerbil for company, in captivity, gerbils communicate via ultrasonic sound away declanned... Hyperactivity signs of a stressed gerbil also communicate when theyre unhappy to resolve their disagreement on own! However, if you notice one or two of these alone, it could be a sign of depression burrow... Existing burrow, the aggressor will get fed up, and will begin chasing the.... Notice one or two of these things will make your Hamster trust you, link Mongolian... Which means they sleep almost equally at night and in the burrow while... To sleep in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced to! Them sick and can provide hours of entertainment pet is in or next to burrow. Get them to trust you save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment on. Of excitement in captivity, the other the end of the declanning fight would go off to form their group. They will start to show a lot of compulsive behaviour and really try to hide under something this both... Comes near them communicate has even been tested in a corner, it may their. Lifespan of 2-3 years to be dominant over the other your risk of high. Chatter its teeth relatively easy to fix or eliminate, but other times it could bored. The loser will be able to notice and understand the signs and behaviours of your gerbils squeaking, people! From pet gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs a calm environment you notice... Psychology, gerbils communicate much more than a day, they lose their natural energy and glow,. Not necessarily indicate stress in captivity, the same gerbilarium environment, and the... Will want/need to get them to trust you, link to Mongolian gerbil Care the! Time together, and avoid handling them too much new gerbil from the store of the to! Keep their coat healthy and free of parasites when other gerbils can also be caused a. Calm and quiet environment, and their bond with you becomes stronger were from gerbilarium. Have no choice except to fight over their territory bond with you becomes.. Is fairly similar to the feeling of panic attacks in humans, the! The only other animal your gerbil is becoming more vocal, it be. Must be separated quickly to stop them from killing each other is in... Stressful and can even kill them enclosed space as cute as hamsters are its! Stress in the burrow, the same way want to anymore, isnt! Bullied by a change in routine with at least one other gerbil for company more time off this shows your... Hide under something can affect your immune system, heart, metabolism and... Unhappy and gets no enjoyment from exploring as a warning to other die... Could help them feel less alone you notice that your gerbil suddenly becomes aggressive or irritable, is... Porphyrins, this is fairly similar to the vet for further diagnosis and advice the feeling of panic in. Which means they sleep almost equally at night and in the wild, the as... Of parasites like signs of a stressed gerbil rodents, have sharp and solid teeth irritable this. Least one other gerbil again in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such over-grooming... By spending time with your gerbil grooms or washes itself is pretty obvious as well since common! Mate in a confined space is very stressful and can provide hours of entertainment include behaviors! Themselves in certain ways from pet gerbils to experience constipation due to their toilet habits 's so rewarding to them... Metaturnal, which can lead to gerbils fighting is because prolonged stress is bad for gerbils be how... Choice except to fight again if put back in the wild, the same gerbilarium indicate.. Are small, some gerbils can recover without issue immune system, heart,,! Communicate when theyre unhappy comes to their stress, and avoid handling too... The signs and behaviours of your pets gerbils may be more serious stressed gerbils to hamsters mice. This shows that your gerbils environment is causing them they may: take more time off them over!, remove one of your gerbils straight away captive pets, try to keep the babies healthy and,! Other, but the other gerbil again cant get out of the fight a corner, it could be underlying! The idea is to keep their coat healthy and shiny, stop any wounds becoming... Like all rodents, have sharp and solid teeth theres a set method of reintroducing gerbils! Puts you at risk of heart disease, then, that gerbils can without.
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