Communication is clearly important to them. You are the only other animal your gerbil can interact with. They dont understand the concept of forgive and forget. Once your gerbils have declanned, they wont stop fighting until one of them leaves or dies. You may not see these wounds beneath the fur. Knowing what symptoms to look for is a great place to . Eats Less Food Than Normal This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. They can also give you tips on your gerbils environment and advise you of changes you can make. But with pet gerbils, this isnt an option because they are forced to live in the same tank. Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. It would find a new home to live in and never see the other gerbil again. Gerbils can also become stressed if they dont get enough food or water. This is easily seen in their body language and behavior. They may bite their own tail or any other part of their body, sometimes to the point where they draw blood. First of all, it is very important to notice the signs of a stressed gerbil. Hamsters are prey by nature, which makes them wary of any animal larger in size, and that includes you. Often, if one gerbil is startled and begins thumping (described as a quick "da-dum, da-dum" sound), others in the enclosure or room will also begin thumping. Gerbils have many ways of letting you know that they are uncomfortable with the situation. Take the gerbil to the vet for further diagnosis and advice. Living in social groups, they need a way to communicate with each other. All gerbils that live together play together as a means of communication and for fun. Here are a few tips on how to soothe a gerbil and help them feel more relaxed: The most important thing to remember is that every gerbil is different, so what works for one may not work for another. But if you suddenly notice this behavior out of nowhere, stress could be the trigger. Gerbils are one of the most adorable and friendly pets out there. Sometimes the issue or a source of stress is relatively easy to fix or eliminate, but other times it could be more serious. If you do that, they will likely fight. A stressed gerbil may also develop scratches on his head and face. Put one gerbil in each compartment, along with everything it will need (food, wheel, etc.). Well also discuss how to separate fighting gerbils and how to reintroduce gerbils after a fight. Gerbils often communicate their mood through body language. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. teeth chattering: a stressed gerbil will usually use chatter its teeth. In general, if your gerbil is stressed, this means theres something in its environment that isnt right. 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. But if you only have two gerbils, it can help teach them how to get along again. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide], You reach into your pets cage, and one gerbil jumps up for you to reach in and take it out, The losing gerbil spends its time around the edge of the cage, far away from the other gerbils, The losing gerbil eats separately to the rest, The losing gerbil doesnt interact with the others positively. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation . One of the more subtle signs of stress and anxiety that is easily missed, is nose and lip licking, yawning, and drooling. You can use chicken wire or a glass divider. One of the first and most common signs of stress in gerbils is a change in their eating habits. If your gerbil used to run on its wheel but doesnt want to anymore, this could be a sign of depression. When meeting each other again, they may not recognize each other as a member of their clan. He runs and paces up and down the . Try to provide them with a calm and quiet environment, and avoid handling them too much. Your gerbil rubbing its face against the glass of its enclosure. The first SMQ warning sign is anger. If left untreated, a stressed gerbil may become sick or even die. So, in captivity, gerbils get lonely if theyre housed on their own. Exercise on a wheel can also help your pet to overcome loss and depression. After all, stress can negatively affect their health in a variety of ways. You can spot excitement when your gerbil hops up and down, sprints quickly, and makes loud yips. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. In the wild, the losers of the declanning fight would go off to form a new group elsewhere. Unless rectified, this will often result in the death of the loser. Again, it may do this even if there is bedding to dig in. The burrow is the heart of the gerbil social group. Theyll be able to identify the illness and take steps to heal your gerbil. The positive effects of exercise are backed up by neuroscience. 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. loud squeaks: a loud squeak usually is a kind of warning and can be a sign of a stressed gerbil when your (adult) gerbil is constantly squeaking. Gerbils are usually very quiet, so if yours starts to chatter, squeak, or even scream, it's a sign that something is wrong. We love to talk about them all! If a gerbil has a problem with its teeth, they may stop eating. Once your gerbil reaches adulthood, it wont make as many noises anymore. It can make them sick and can even kill them. Gerbils are communicative animals. wet tail. Among the infectious bacterial diseases that affect gerbils, Tyzzer's disease is the most frequently occurring one. If that isnt possible, you may want to consider giving your pet to a shelter that can take care of it and perhaps rehome it. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesn't back down. 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. However, there is one method of reintroducing declanned gerbils that can be successful. The loser may close its eyes or look away to show that it isnt trying to be a threat anymore. Overactive or underactive stress responses may stem from slight differences in these genes. If you have more than two gerbils, try to identify which gerbil was the winner. Trembling. 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. Nose And Lip Licking, Yawning, Drooling. However,. If you notice their hair falling out in clumps, then they need your help. It varies in loudness and . This play is physical in nature and can look like fighting if youve never seen it before. Up to the age of 4 or 5 months, baby gerbils tend to talk a lot. Gerbils that play together are happy gerbils. Headaches, dizziness, or shaking. You should take note if your gerbil starts to refuse to eat. You can see which one is the rejected one by observing its behavior. Chest pain or a feeling like your heart is racing. This is a sign that it is happy and relaxed. Stressed gerbils may begin to attack themselves out of anxiety and stress. They will seem content and at ease and spend time together as normal. When we arent feeling well we get headaches, body aches, and sometimes even the flu. Gerbils are not known for being social creatures. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Depending on the parasite burden, humans may have no apparent clinical signs or may have nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and central nervous signs (agitation). The most obvious sign you should look for is fighting. Youll need to put the losing gerbil in another enclosure. Both are more protective of their spaces, their territories than before. Then, separate the gerbils before they get a chance to fight. This is something thats similar to the nervous tics that humans experience. When a gerbil lives alone, it gets lonely. This is not always obvious in floppy-eared breeds. Real fights can result in injury and death. Because gerbils are such active animals, they need a lot of sleep to compensate for this physical exertion. Play fighting in gerbils is a completely harmless behavior. 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. Here is a list of the ten most common signs of stress for aquarium fish. The importance of identifying the signs of a stressed gerbil is that you can take steps to help them feel better. If your gerbil has gained a lot of weight and has been in contact with a male recently, then watch out for signs of your pet building a nest. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. But stressed-out gerbils may spend hours at a time hiding away in their nest or tunnel. If your gerbil is stressed, its crucial that you figure out whats causing it and put it right. Stress can lead to emotional and mental symptoms like: Anxiety or irritability. In the wild, the gerbils would take care of the situation, but in a cage, they cant. Theyre different species that would never naturally interact in the wild.. The same applies to exercise. This instigates the fight. The split-cage method does not work if there are three or more gerbils. But when stressed or scared, gerbils will poop a lot, usually wherever theyre standing. By doing this, you get each gerbil used to the others smell. You will notice frequent fights, during which one gerbil tries to pin the other. Pair your pet up, as gerbils cant live alone. Shortness of breath or rapid breathing 3. They are relatively low-maintenance and can provide hours of entertainment. Gerbils have been described both as nocturnal and crepuscular. Of course, this description doesnt fit every fight. This gerbil could be one of its previous cage mates or a new gerbil. After pushing each other, the pair will fall still. So, again, this isnt a definitive sign of low mood. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. This one is pretty obvious as well since its common for stressed gerbils to experience constipation due to their stress levels. Theyll be able to examine your gerbil to determine whether an illness is causing stress. Stress in dogs can be caused by a variety of things, from loud noises like fireworks, to new places. Either way, the key to introducing the two gerbils is to swap them from one side to another three times a day. The most Mongolian Gerbil Care: The Complete Guide. Ears Up/Ears Down. There could be an underlying medical issue causing their stress, and treating the problem could help them feel better overall. This is something gerbils do when they are excited or stressed, as a warning to other gerbils. How to spot the signs of stress [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide], Body going limp or rigid (your gerbil may fall over), Injury (e.g. If this happens to you, you may. So its essential to be able to spot the signs and take action if needed. When this happens, the challenged gerbil will either: Declanning can happen to pet gerbils regardless of how long they have been living together. When a gerbil is no longer relaxed, they lose their natural energy and glow. Because its not allowed in the burrow, the loser will have to find somewhere else to sleep. But alongside other signs, such as altered sleep patterns, it shows that your gerbil is unhappy. Which condition is common in young gerbils that are under stress and is often called stress-induced chromodacryorrhea? Before separating your gerbils, get a box ready to place one of the gerbils into. Keeping your pet gerbils healthy and safe is the number one responsibility you have as a pet owner. Depression. Be friendly and spend lots of time with it. One of the easiest ways to make a gerbil happy is to spend time with it. Other things include: Aside from this, your gerbil may naturally be more unhappy than others. Sometimes, they may try to touch noses with their owner, as well. If it doesnt have one, get your gerbil a wheel. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. This means that the loser will want/need to get out of the cage. 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. being withdrawn. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. 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. This squeak is the fighting squeak. This is the case for most wild specimens. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Every gerbil is different. These fights will progress into a boxing match. This is especially the case for gerbils which are part of a breeding pair. Other symptoms include: 4. A gerbil eating its own poop isnt a sign of a problem. The problems listed above are a good starting point: If you fix whatever the problem is, your gerbil may become happy again. Again, the idea is to keep the babies healthy and free of parasites. A wild gerbil has an average lifespan of 2-3 years. So, exercise is an easy fix. So, before placing your hands into the gerbilarium, put on a pair of protective gloves. Gerbils are tiny, adorable creatures that many like to keep as pets. According to the Jackson Laboratory, overgrooming is a kind of stereotypy. If you cant feed it, for example, it wont have any food. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. How do You Know Your Gerbil is Stressed? Gerbils all have different characters. Declanned gerbils that are forced to live together are in a permanent state of stress. I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like hiking and camping. The signs of a depressed gerbil include lack of activity, too much sleep, bar chewing, and floor scratching. This can lead to problems, as a stressed gerbil can become agitated and even die. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils that are the same age and live together are usually the same size. Perpetually biting on cage bars can damage your gerbils teeth. Its like a wrestling match. They will never grow to like each other. But if you notice this behavior often, something in your gerbils environment is causing stress. Gerbils have a fairly small repertoire of behaviors: chewing, nesting, digging, grooming and being groomed, eating, drinking and running in the wheel. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. Also, if they are in pain, they might go limp so you can pick them up without feeling any resistance or pain. Exhaustion or trouble sleeping. be more twitchy or nervous. If the fighting seems to have subsided, its only a matter of time before it starts again. A cat or dog, perhaps? If you see warning signs that are triggering your gerbil, make sure they are not becoming stressed. This is like a regular tank, but bigger and with two compartments. It can also be caused by a change in routine. The gerbil is no exception. They will remain stressed out and will eventually fight again. They prefer to stick to themselves and enjoy the company of their own kind. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. Stress: Gerbils may gnaw on the bars of their cage if they are feeling stressed. Gerbils live in social groups, and in the wild, gerbils are routinely attacked by predators. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. One of the most obvious signs of stressed axolotl is their gills. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. All it knows is that its power is still being challenged. You may notice: Disturbed sleep indicates that your gerbils mood or health has changed. There are several signs that a gerbil is unhappy. stress, or an infection. The thumping is produced by pounding both hind legs on the ground. Gerbils are monogamous creatures and usually form bonds with their mates that last until the end of their lives. This is where they rapidly stomp the ground with their back feet. It can be difficult to read the body language of pet gerbils. After declanning, the same applies, and the loser will be fought until it moves away. And its true. However, when a gerbil gets depressed, it can overgroom. In many cases a propensity to seizures is passed down from . Almost any health problem could cause stress, such as: If you suspect illness, take your gerbil to a suitably experienced veterinarian for a checkup. Jumping. It will also be excited to leave the cage, more so than usual. I make sure to take good care of all the animals that come into my life. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Stress can also cause your gerbil to grind its teeth, leading to dental problems. When your gerbil becomes sad, you can tackle the problem if you know how to spot the telltale signs. They may bite their own tail or any other part of their body, sometimes to the point where they draw blood. 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 . If they are usually active and playful but suddenly become more lethargic, this may be a sign that something is wrong. This can be due to a variety of factors such as, noise, changes in environment, overcrowding and more. Gerbil mating rituals involve chasing and mounting, and carefully checking their undersides. Fortunately, gerbils usually get along well, especially if they were from the same litter or introduced as babies. One example of this behavior is gerbils sleeping together in a large, If you notice that your gerbils are bullying each other, this could be declanning. 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Can use chicken wire or a new group elsewhere before it starts again and can provide hours of entertainment healthy! Youve never seen it before too much sleep, bar chewing, and the loser be. Fit every fight fighting in gerbils is to swap them from one side to another three times day! With a calm and quiet environment, overcrowding and more of reintroducing declanned gerbils are. Of low mood to swap them from one side to another three times a....