Gerbils are usually friendly, sociable creatures. They may bite their own tail or any other part of their body, sometimes to the point where they draw blood. You can take it from its enclosure, hold it, cuddle it, let it run around, or even sit next to its enclosure for a while. One of the more subtle signs of stress and anxiety that is easily missed, is nose and lip licking, yawning, and drooling. Scientists say that it can also occur because of boredom, frustration, social isolation, and other negative stressors. But if they are playing, separating them would be a big mistake. If your gerbil is behaving strangely, it might be stressed. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Its most concerning if this behavior persists over several days. The best way a gerbil can exercise is on a running wheel. Shortness of breath or rapid breathing 3. 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. Your gerbils may sometimes do all of these things, but on other occasions, only some. Exercise on a wheel can also help your pet to overcome loss and depression. But do gerbils bite and it hurts?Gerbils are friendly animals that will generally not bite unless. Of course, this description doesnt fit every fight. 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. Grooming is an important behavior in gerbils. This can lead to problems, as a stressed gerbil can become agitated and even die. Theyll be able to examine your gerbil to determine whether an illness is causing stress. being withdrawn. You can easily tell when a gerbil is happy, sad, or excited, for example. A stressed gerbil may begin to twitch its feet or tail out of anxiety and fear. It has to stay near the other gerbils it has fought with. When gerbils get to the point of physically fighting, it will be easy to tell they arent playing. Heres some advice on how to introduce new gerbils. Gerbils playing together will jump around, wrestle, and box each other with their front paws. Gerbils live in social groups, and in the wild, gerbils are routinely attacked by predators. The split-cage method does not work if there are three or more gerbils. Here are a few signs that your children may be stressed out or could use some extra support: Emotional outbursts or increased irritability. They may refuse food or water, or they might develop gastrointestinal problems. A gerbil with mites or ringworm will groom obsessively to try and get rid of it. If you cant identify any environmental problems, the stress may be illness-related. There could be an underlying medical issue causing their stress, and treating the problem could help them feel better overall. Nose And Lip Licking, Yawning, Drooling. When gerbils are unhappy and depressed, they lack these chemicals. Wh. This is not always obvious in floppy-eared breeds. Strong stress reactions sometimes can be traced to traumatic events. Is there plenty of bedding? If it resonates with you, take action. Stress can put a strain on gerbils hearts and immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness. Anger is the outward expression of inner stress and is potentially one of the most damaging emotions. Chest Pain or Discomfort. You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. Once you find a gerbil who shows signs of a respiratory infection, . All it needs is a water bottle, a little food, and a thin layer of bedding. Life experiences. It happens as a result of one gerbil challenging the dominance of the other. A stressed gerbil may begin to act more and more territorial than usual. Gerbils often communicate their mood through body language. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. According to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, gerbils use noise to communicate with each other. 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 Gerbils are communicative animals. They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things. When your gerbil becomes sad, you can tackle the problem if you know how to spot the, From observation, it seems obvious that your gerbil can experience emotions for some things, even if those feelings arent as complex as human feelings. Any stranger gerbil would immediately be detected and fought off. Hamsters can do the same activities every day and it can sometimes look like they even have a set schedule, and that's normal. You may notice them running around in circles, but when you look closer youll see that their tails are stuck on the ground or something right behind their backs, hence why they think the room is spinning! Its because they are confined to the same cage and cant get away from each other. The dominate gerbil aggressively chasing the other. In the wild, once declanned, the subordinate gerbil would leave and find a new home. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. It can make them sick and can even kill them. But you will see the blood these bites cause. When your gerbil becomes depressed, it may stop showing these signs of excitement. You can also offer them some chew toys or other enrichment items to help keep their minds active and distracted from whatever is causing their stress. You should take note if your gerbil starts to refuse to eat. Either way, a gerbils sleep pattern will stay the same throughout its life. First, it can cause you to consume heartburn-inducing foods or alcohol, which can also cause heartburn. This instigates the fight. Each gerbil within the clan has a different social ranking. Its like a wrestling match. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. Its kept in the same cage until you intervene. Some of the group may join it in leaving. Sleeping separately is the most obvious sign. If you see warning signs that are triggering your gerbil, make sure they are not becoming stressed. Your gerbil might become hyperactive as a reaction to stress. This is a sign that it is happy and relaxed. This is normal behavior and completely harmless. They need each others' company and pool resources together to survive. Gerbils are meant to be kept in pairs and need a buddy to be happy. Choose a same-sex playmate to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Gerbils are tiny, adorable creatures that many like to keep as pets. If you take good care of your gerbil, it should be stress-free and happy. This is something thats similar to the nervous tics that humans experience. If youre noticing that your gerbil is becoming more and more stressed, you may be wondering how you can help. It is crucial to recognize the differences between gerbils playing or fighting, so you can intervene appropriately. Unfortunately, many wild gerbils will die in the span of a few months of being born. When gerbils decide to declan, there is no way to stop them from fighting without separating them. It can also be caused by a change in routine. Gerbils can also become stressed if they dont get enough food or water. There are other signs of fighting to look out for, too. High blood pressure. The stressed axolotl gills will be forward curled, and this is an early sign that your axolotl is starting to feel uncomfortable with the condition of his tank. Grooming, scratching, and biting or digging at the cage are all normal gerbil behaviors. This shows that your gerbil is unhappy and gets no enjoyment from exploring. This causes more fights, which become progressively more severe. This applies both to the winner and the loser of the fight. Be friendly and spend lots of time with it. This raises a serious problem. Sometimes we may not even realize that theyre going through a tough time until its too late. 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. Set the gerbil down in the temporary home. Instinctually, it doesnt understand why the other gerbil cant get away. The gerbils will start spending less time together, and stop sleeping together. Another common challenge people have with gerbils is ensuring the animals are happy. Eats Less Food Than Normal This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. No stress - and a new beginning. Trembling. How do You Know Your Gerbil is Stressed? A, If your female gerbil has spent time around a male, theres a chance she may be pregnant. Even being able to see cats or dogs can be stressful for a gerbil. For example, it might become agitated and gnaw on its fur or cage bars. This is fairly similar to the feeling of panic attacks in humans. Start again from step 3. Thats because gerbils are surprisingly vicious, especially towards outsiders, i.e., gerbils that are strangers. A gerbil can become depressed or unhappy for a variety of different reasons. But if you suddenly notice this behavior out of nowhere, stress could be the trigger. Pair your pet up, as gerbils cant live alone. 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. Once you have developed a bond of trust with your gerbil, it will rarely behave aggressively. What Are The Signs of Gerbils Declanning? 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. wet tail. When we arent feeling well we get headaches, body aches, and sometimes even the flu. Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. If you think your gerbil is worried, try to calm it down by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. Why Do Gerbils Sleep on Top of Each Other? Gerbils can be infected with several strains of Salmonella bacteria. Some gerbils are prone to seizing when suddenly frightened or exposed to prolonged stress. 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. Bear in mind that there may be a mixture of problems all making your gerbil sad. arrive for work later. Do Gerbils and Rabbits Get Along? This one is pretty obvious as well since its common for stressed gerbils to experience constipation due to their stress levels. 2. Pooping a lot can also be a sign of excitement. You can also make your own split cage easily enough. Signs of infection include diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, rough hair coat, a swollen or bloated abdomen, or fetal death in a pregnant female. Transmission of the bacteria occurs when the gerbil's food or bedding is contaminated by insects or wild rodents. When this happens, the challenged gerbil will either: Declanning can happen to pet gerbils regardless of how long they have been living together. But it, As captive pets, gerbils are at risk of becoming overweight or obese. If a gerbil gets bored, this could quickly lead to stress. Gerbils can also groom other gerbils. They may be too tense to sleep and spend all day and night awake and active. Look for the other signs of unhappiness that may occur alongside this one. This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. Gerbils do not want to come out of their house every time they wake up and feel stressed trying to go get their food and water. Gerbils live in groups, also known as clans. So, if you leave your pet alone, it will go stir-crazy. Obsessive behaviors are not always a sign of stress. Gerbils that play together are happy gerbils. Gerbils become unhappy when other gerbils die if their enclosure is small or they're stressed. 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. In so doing, they get lots of physical exercise. 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. You will see this in action when: This gerbil doesnt feel like a part of the clan anymore. Reasons for Stressed Gerbils. Declanning means that two gerbils have decided not to live in the same group, or clan, anymore. We are passionate about having them as friends and pets. On the other end of the scale to lethargy, hyperactivity can also be a sign of stress. All of these things will make your gerbil feel less alone. Communication is clearly important to them. So, again, this isnt a definitive sign of low mood. According to the Russian Journal of General Biology, wild gerbils have complicated social hierarchies, sharing their territories with many other individuals. The signs of a depressed gerbil include lack of activity, too much sleep, bar chewing, and floor scratching. This creates tension, which can lead to gerbils fighting. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Are the Signs of Gerbils Declanning? During the day, expect to see healthy hamsters sleeping; healthy gerbils may or may not be running around. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesn't back down. If either of your gerbils is injured, take them to an emergency veterinarian for treatment. A stressed gerbil may also develop scratches on his head and face. The positive effects of exercise are backed up by neuroscience. 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. One of the most obvious signs of fighting is squeaking. If your gerbil recently lost a friend, wait a while. Hamsters can be affected by many diseases, and tumours aren't uncommon, especially along the underside of the abdomen. They have very large and sharp teeth and you or your children may be afraid of a gerbil bite. Otherwise, their fighting may lead to serious injury or death. Or concede defeat, and leave the clan to find a new home. Its called the split-cage method. Most humans do this too when we feel anxious! If they touch things, then they are probably very anxious and scared. All the gerbils sleep in the burrow together to preserve warmth and to stay protected. If your gerbil is chewing or digging at the wall a lot, it could be bored. This is going to be a temporary home while you sort out a permanent housing solution. My gerbil felix is about 3 months old, and has been moved in for over a month. Alternatively, take it from its enclosure and allow it to run around. All gerbils groom themselves. Seizures and strokes are not always fatal. They become faded and almost sickly looking. Other signs There are other symptoms that might show problems related to dehydration, and these include a lack of appetite, lethargy or low urination. Declanning causes fights between gerbils. There may be various reasons why your gerbil is stressed. Promising to take care of it yourself. Once you believe you are noticing some of the stress signs, try to identify what is causing them. Once challenged, the less dominant gerbil would leave the clan. They will stand, not quite facing each other, ready to lash out. This can cause nasty wounds. They will seem content and at ease and spend time together as normal. He runs and paces up and down the . Here at Pocket Sized Pets, we love small animals! In the wild, the gerbils would take care of the situation, but in a cage, they cant. The only thing you can do is look for the signs of gerbil declanning. If they start to fight again, separate them straight away. It wont be allowed back into the burrow until they all get along again. One of the first signs that a gerbil is stressed is that it will start to make more noise than usual. There are several signs that a gerbil is unhappy. This is due to the difficulties they face in the wild, such as predators, a shortage of food or water, and infections. This is why you might notice your gerbil pooping on you when you first handle it. This is something thats very similar to the hyperactivity that humans experience. Gerbils are not the most demanding pet, but they do need certain requirements to be fulfilled. 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. Because gerbils are such active animals, they need a lot of sleep to compensate for this physical exertion. Again, it may do this even if there is bedding to dig in. This is their way of saying sorry for not leaving the aggressors territory. Depression. Neither of these is a good sign as your gerbil may die within 48 hours if not properly looked after. In this case, the clan continues as it was. By doing this, you get each gerbil used to the others smell. Researching and putting together useful information about pet gerbils can help your parents understand and learn about your favorite small animal. But when stressed or scared, gerbils will poop a lot, usually wherever theyre standing. That way, if either of your gerbils tries to bite you, they wont hurt you. This is a sign that they need to calm down and rest. Your gerbils will not be able to resolve their disagreement on their own. Other symptoms include: 4. If youre thinking of adopting new gerbils, you may wonder how many gerbils can be kept in the same cage (gerbilarium). It is responding positively to your petting and scratching. If your gerbil is sleeping or resting far more than this, something may be wrong. What are the 10 signs of a stressed gerbil? When a gerbil lives alone, it gets lonely. 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. Gerbils become unhappy when other gerbils die if their enclosure is small or theyre stressed. Stomach or digestive problems. Leave the other gerbil(s) that werent involved in the fight with the winner. In the past couple of weeks he started biting, which thankfully he got over quickly. Before separating your gerbils, get a box ready to place one of the gerbils into. If you notice one or two of these alone, it may not necessarily indicate stress. After pushing each other, the pair will fall still. Boxing. (If this happens, you should visit a vet as soon as possible). A change in the way someone thinks or feels can also be a sign of stress, for example: mood swings. The loser may close its eyes or look away to show that it isnt trying to be a threat anymore. It means something has startled your gerbil. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation . Furthermore, even if gerbils are social creatures and enjoy spending time with their owner or fellow gerbils, they do sometimes want time alone. You reach down to try and pick it up, but it bites you, which it usually wouldnt. Glass surfing Flitting around the tank Excessive hiding Changes in appearance Constantly chasing other fish Fin deterioration Loss of appetite Rubbing against gravel or decorations Gasping near the water surface Persistent disease According to PLoS One, most of these noises are too high-pitched for people to hear. They may be fairly superficial, but you should still take note of them. Thats why a gerbil gets so excited when you take it from its cage. They will start screaming and hissing at you and even scratch you. They form strong bonds, sleep together, and play together daily. So, before placing your hands into the gerbilarium, put on a pair of protective gloves. Second, stress itself can increase the frequency of heartburn episodes no matter what you. Declanning is a behavior related to the social nature of gerbils. Unless you separate your gerbils straight away, declanned gerbils will inevitably fight. Dont pick it up from above, as it might think youre a predator and go into shock. 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. Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ears, and cold or sweaty hands and feet Dry mouth and a hard time swallowing Clenched jaw and grinding teeth Cognitive symptoms of stress include: Constant. You must do this straight away. It wont eat anything at all and is likely to be lethargic. Stressed gerbils will often begin to over-groom themselves, which can be an indicator of stress. This bacteria is most likely to infect a stressed gerbil or young one. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! So, make sure youre topping up your gerbils bowl and water bottle every day. Reasons they might fight and declan include: The point of declanning is that the social group isnt viable anymore. However, if your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is called chromodacryorrhea. Stress generally refers to two things: the psychological perception of pressure, on the one hand, and the body's response to it, on the other, which involves multiple systems, from metabolism to . This article will explore some common signs that our gerbils feel overwhelmed and stressed. A seizure can be identified based on the following symptoms: Seizures are usually not harmful, but in rare cases, they can be fatal. If your gerbil is dying, the vet will be able to give them pain relief and help them cross over peacefully. 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. Your gerbil rubbing its face against the glass of its enclosure. If you do that, they will likely fight. So we must do everything we can to help our gerbils relax and feel comfortable in their home. But if you cant, take your gerbil to an exotic pet veterinarian. The thumping is produced by pounding both hind legs on the ground. According to Physiology & Behavior, captive gerbils are metaturnal, which means they sleep almost equally at night and in the day. Some timid gerbils get more confident and happy as they age, and their bond with you becomes stronger. Sometimes, they may try to touch noses with their owner, as well. But in captivity, this is physically impossible. Signs of Depression Here are some signs that your gerbil may be depressed or verging on depression: Lack of appetite Constantly laying down/doesn't move often Not drinking at least once a day Will not care if picked up and held Is limp and doesn't start getting excited/move a lot when held. Gerbils declan for many reasons, all related to the social structure of the gerbil group. Replace the bedding in your gerbils enclosure and clean it thoroughly. Introducing two new gerbils isnt as simple as putting them in the same cage. All gerbils that live together play together as a means of communication and for fun. You can make your gerbil happy by providing a comfortable place to sleep, great toys to play with, and enough food and water. If the fighting seems to have subsided, its only a matter of time before it starts again. Unfortunately, once pet gerbils declan, the loser cannot leave to find its own territory. Jumping. They do so to keep their coat healthy and shiny, stop any wounds from becoming infected, and get rid of parasites. Some common signs of stress include: 1 Changes in mood Clammy or sweaty palms Decreased sex drive Diarrhea Difficulty sleeping Digestive problems Dizziness Feeling anxious Frequent sickness Grinding teeth Headaches Low energy Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders Physical aches and pains Racing heartbeat Trembling Real fights can result in injury and death. Its more common in female gerbils than males. If you follow our above advice, you should be able to figure out whats causing your gerbil stress. Gerbils play fighting, however, is an entirely different thing. There are many, Gerbils and rabbits are sociable and friendly animals. Anger. The fights begin with the two gerbils standing next to each other, staring each other down. [1] 4 Check if your gerbil grooms or washes itself. Teeth, nails and coat Gerbils' teeth are always growing, and they'll cause health problems and pain if they grow too long. Almost any health problem could cause stress, such as: If you suspect illness, take your gerbil to a suitably experienced veterinarian for a checkup. Some folks will be aware of obvious signs. One of the most common reasons why gerbils become depressed is when their friends die. If you separate your gerbils at this point, they may recover using the split-cage method. They will remain stressed out and will eventually fight again. Its difficult to re-introduce a gerbil into a large group, so starting another clan is your only option here. Because its not allowed in the burrow, the loser will have to find somewhere else to sleep. It needs bedding, a running wheel, and drinking water like any other enclosure. So its essential to be able to spot the signs and take action if needed. You can do this by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. They prefer to poop in the same area of their enclosure so that the rest of their cage stays clean. If you cant feed it, for example, it wont have any food. This behavior is driven by instinct because gerbils need to forage for food for long periods. If they are play fighting, your gerbils will finish fighting and then behave as though nothing has happened. Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Female gerbils can become pregnant when there are no males around. Wounds on the back or tail of a gerbil. These signs of stress can indicate the gerbil has a lot of stress going on in its life and needs some help from your side. They can also give you tips on your gerbils environment and advise you of changes you can make. While this is helpful in the moment, frequent adrenaline surges can lead to: damaged . 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.