Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. Along with this, extreme stress may cause seizures (fits) or strokes. Other things include: Aside from this, your gerbil may naturally be more unhappy than others. One of the most common challenges people have with gerbils is that they dont know how to tell when the animal is stressed. Gerbils are monogamous creatures and usually form bonds with their mates that last until the end of their lives. A gerbil with mites or ringworm will groom obsessively to try and get rid of it. It can be the result either of sadness or stress. Fighting gerbils can be vicious. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesnt back down. According to PLoS One, most of these noises are too high-pitched for people to hear. There are many signs that a gerbil is stressed. from falling, rough handling, or fighting with another gerbil). Keeping Them as Stress free as Possible. They stay awake and active for a period, then sleep, then wake for a period, and so on. Once you find a gerbil who shows signs of a respiratory infection, . The two gerbils that are about to fight will try to intimidate each other with loud noises to win the fight before it starts. Here is a list of the ten most common signs of stress for aquarium fish. Just as in humans, stress affects gerbils in a number of different ways. However, if your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is called chromodacryorrhea. They will start screaming and hissing at you and even scratch you. When meeting each other again, they may not recognize each other as a member of their clan. It can be difficult to read the body language of pet gerbils. proliferative ileitis. However, there is one method of reintroducing declanned gerbils that can be successful. The thumping is produced by pounding both hind legs on the ground. It will also be excited to leave the cage, more so than usual. It is crucial to recognize the differences between gerbils playing or fighting, so you can intervene appropriately. Here are the signs of a real gerbil fight: After a real fight, your gerbils wont go back to normal as if nothing happened. You may not see these wounds beneath the fur. This is where they rapidly stomp the ground with their back feet. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. You may notice: Disturbed sleep indicates that your gerbils mood or health has changed. Theyre different species that would never naturally interact in the wild.. Nose And Lip Licking, Yawning, Drooling. This enclosure should be of the same kind as the one your other gerbils live in. They can even fight to the death. Gerbils play fighting, however, is an entirely different thing. The only thing you can do is look for the signs of gerbil declanning. But if your gerbil is demonstrating many of these signals, it might well be anxious or unhappy. Your dog may pull or pin their ears back when feeling stressed or anxious. Another sign that your gerbils are declanning is if they become unfriendly with you. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. A cat or dog, perhaps? It must change. One of the first signs that a gerbil is stressed is that it will start to make more noise than usual. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. Gerbils chirp and squeak constantly. Reasons they might fight and declan include: The point of declanning is that the social group isnt viable anymore. Exercise on a wheel can also help your pet to overcome loss and depression. It could also be a trivial fight. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. Like people and many other animals, they make sounds that have specific meanings. Neither of these is a good sign as your gerbil may die within 48 hours if not properly looked after. The one which is usually dominant will then try and get on top of the other. Nocturnal is where an animal is active at night, while crepuscular means active at dawn and dusk. Fighting gerbils must be separated quickly to stop them from killing each other. After all, stress can negatively affect their health in a variety of ways. This forces the fighting pair to fight harder. Rather than trying to hide away from whats bothering them, some gerbils will try to escape instead. This is because the gerbils have gone through a process called declanning.. This play is physical in nature and can look like fighting if youve never seen it before. Gerbils are not known for being social creatures. Events, living situations, old age, and more can all contribute to your gerbil being unhappy. Gerbils can also groom other gerbils. 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. It can be destructive or bad for the animals health. Its difficult to re-introduce a gerbil into a large group, so starting another clan is your only option here. Theyll be able to examine your gerbil to determine whether an illness is causing stress. Gerbils bodies can become quite stressed when theyre sick or in pain. Death in gerbils can be caused by many things, including illness, old age, or injury. All the gerbils sleep in the burrow together to preserve warmth and to stay protected. The most obvious sign you should look for is fighting. It may even attempt to bite you or another gerbil if it feels that its territory is being threatened in any way! Gardening gloves work well for this purpose. In extreme cases, they may even lick their fur off! Is your gerbil lonely? Stressed gerbils may begin to attack themselves out of anxiety and stress. Playful chasing is quite slow and non-aggressive. However, what gerbils mean when they make squeaking sounds may not be clear, and it depends on the context. Its essential to tell when a gerbil is stressed so you can take steps to calm it down. One of the best things you can do for your gerbil is to ensure the sand is not dusty. Heres some advice on how to introduce new gerbils. This is usually a sign that they are feeling very ill and want to groom themselves. Something else you can try is encouraging your gerbil to exercise. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. 3. Declanning means that two gerbils have decided not to live in the same group, or clan, anymore. But if you notice this behavior often, something in your gerbils environment is causing stress. What Are The Signs of Gerbils Declanning? Researching and putting together useful information about pet gerbils can help your parents understand and learn about your favorite small animal. Gerbils are usually well-behaved when it comes to their toilet habits. It is forced to stay in the same gerbilarium as the winner. This causes more fights, which become progressively more severe. Gerbils live in groups, also known as clans. The signs of a depressed gerbil include lack of activity, too much sleep, bar chewing, and floor scratching. 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 . But in captivity, this is physically impossible. So we must do everything we can to help our gerbils relax and feel comfortable in their home. The first SMQ warning sign is anger. Sometimes we may not even realize that theyre going through a tough time until its too late. Up to the age of 4 or 5 months, baby gerbils tend to talk a lot. Quality of life decisions should take account of whether your gerbil can or cannot take pleasure in these normal activities. Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Female gerbils can become pregnant when there are no males around. Then, separate the gerbils before they get a chance to fight. They are good-natured towards humans and appreciate being held and played with. In this case, the clan continues as it was. This can be due to a variety of factors such as, noise, changes in environment, overcrowding and more. Loneliness can quickly lead to stress. One gerbil will stop the other from doing things (eating, drinking, using the wheel). It is responding positively to your petting and scratching. If you take good care of your gerbil, it should be happy and stress-free. The loser will sleep in some other part of the cage, e.g., in the running wheel or corner. Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. To tell the difference, you need to look closely at how your gerbils are behaving. Emotional exhaustion puts you at risk of: high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease . This can cause nasty wounds. Fights can get serious and involve the use of teeth. According to the Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, gerbils communicate via ultrasonic sound. 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. 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. This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. 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. 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. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. If your gerbil is behaving strangely, it might be stressed. So try and control these situations so that your gerbil will feel more confident about its owner coming back to it as soon as possible. Communication is clearly important to them. 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. But if they are playing, separating them would be a big mistake. Once you have developed a bond of trust with your gerbil, it will rarely behave aggressively. The same applies to exercise. 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. This raises a serious problem. Its kept in the same cage until you intervene. 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. They may bite their own tail or any other part of their body, sometimes to the point where they draw blood. In captivity, gerbils dont get to explore much. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. Its whole body may vibrate when you hold it or pet it. Fur appearance may or may not change. 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. A stressed gerbil may begin to act more and more territorial than usual. But often, a seizure or a stroke is a death sentence for a gerbil. When talking to your parents, try: Presenting your research about gerbils. A wild gerbil has an average lifespan of 2-3 years. Trouble having sex. For example, it might become agitated and gnaw on its fur or cage bars. But stressed-out gerbils may spend hours at a time hiding away in their nest or tunnel. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. If this is the case, the best thing would be to keep them in separate tanks permanently. Each will be on its hind legs, trying to push the other and flailing with its arms. All gerbils have their own personalities, so some are more excitable and some more affectionate. Take the gerbil to the vet for further diagnosis and advice. They become faded and almost sickly looking. So its essential to be able to spot the signs and take action if needed. Also, if they are in pain, they might go limp so you can pick them up without feeling any resistance or pain. They will never grow to like each other. Unfortunately, once pet gerbils declan, the loser cannot leave to find its own territory. 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. If you take it from its cage, rather than running around exploring, it may sit doing nothing. Depression. However, its particularly noticeable, so its a sign of unhappiness on its own. Recognizing the signs of stress in our pets cannot be overstated. If this is the case, theres not much you can do about it. Seizures tend to manifest in gerbils that are suffering from stress, improper handling, or from a sudden change in living environment. This is like a regular tank, but bigger and with two compartments. Alternatively, if your gerbil becomes more active than usual and seems agitated, this may also be a sign of stress. 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. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils are social creatures that shouldn't live alone. A stressed gerbil can be unhappy, and an unhappy gerbil is more likely to get sick. Each gerbil within the clan has a different social ranking. Gerbils, If you want to breed gerbils or prevent them from breeding, you have to know if theyre male or female. They dont take up much room and are always ready to play. All of these things will make your gerbil feel less alone. You may need to experiment a little to find out what calms your gerbil down. This is a normal outcome of a fight over territory. They will each take turns being the chaser. Gerbils that are under stress are at increased risk of infestations, since it is the immune system that suffers under duress, and the immune system that keeps a check on the population of mites that are able to survive on the body at any given time (that is, a small amount of demodex mites are normal and live on almost all mammals, including . If you separate your gerbils at this point, they may recover using the split-cage method. Anger is the outward expression of inner stress and is potentially one of the most damaging emotions. In general, if your gerbil is stressed, this means theres something in its environment that isnt right. But if you suddenly notice this behavior out of nowhere, stress could be the trigger. . However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. The dominate gerbil aggressively chasing the other. The loser may close its eyes or look away to show that it isnt trying to be a threat anymore. You want to do your best to help your gerbil to calm down and only take it to a vet when you think you cant help. They could be vague at the start and you could think this is normal. If you arent sure whether your gerbils are playing or fighting, try offering them food. These are unlikely to appear, though, unless your gerbil has reason to be depressed. The subordinate gerbil will avoid the aggressor as much as possible. They could be the result of a fatal condition. Fighting is a gerbils way of saying, get out of here you arent welcome. Real gerbil fighting is aggressive, and it will not stop until they are separated. Gerbils are usually friendly, sociable creatures. You can keep them in pairs or groups, but this can lead to fighting between gerbils. Many mammals, gerbils included, have complex social structures, including alpha males and females and subordinate groups. 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. You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. Sometimes, though, gerbils fight for real. Emotional and mental symptoms of stress can include: 2. Anyway, once the chasing starts - you should really be able to see what is going on. Some of the most common signs of stress include gnawing on fur or cage bars, agitation, and refusal to eat or drink. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. Between the compartments is a glass screen. First of all, it is very important to notice the signs of a stressed gerbil. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse,. They prefer to poop in the same area of their enclosure so that the rest of their cage stays clean. Ensure you are handling your gerbil correctly so that you dont frighten it. teeth chattering: a stressed gerbil will usually use chatter its teeth. This is where the gerbil grooms too frequently or for extended periods. If youre thinking of adopting new gerbils, you may wonder how many gerbils can be kept in the same cage (gerbilarium). Your gerbil digging in the corner of its cage, where there may be no substrate. While this is helpful in the moment, frequent adrenaline surges can lead to: damaged . When they are not play fighting, they will exhibit friendly behaviors such as sleeping together and grooming each other. As pets, gerbils have an average lifespan of 3-4 years. Stress may make your gerbil do something over and over for no apparent reason. Watch for signs like agitation, inactivity, and refusal to eat or drink. All gerbils groom themselves. 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. Start again from step 3. Stress can lead to emotional and mental symptoms like: Anxiety or irritability. 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 be more twitchy or nervous. You can easily tell when a gerbil is happy, sad, or excited, for example. Aches and pains. 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. Depending on the parasite burden, humans may have no apparent clinical signs or may have nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and central nervous signs (agitation). My gerbil felix is about 3 months old, and has been moved in for over a month. If your gerbil is showing signs of reduced appetite, it may be stressed. Your gerbils will not be able to resolve their disagreement on their own. Perhaps: You have trouble getting to sleep or wake up very early. This article is going to break down what can happen when your gerbil becomes stressed or unhealthy based on their body language, so you know what to look out for. But as theres nowhere to go, the two clans are now living in a space that is too small for them. One of the most obvious signs of fighting is squeaking. What are the Signs Your Gerbil is Scared? Assert its dominance, and maintain its position as the top gerbil. 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. You can use chicken wire or a glass divider. True gerbil fighting is rare in bonded pairs, but it can happen at any point, often without warning. Signs of infection include diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, rough hair coat, a swollen or bloated abdomen, or fetal death in a pregnant female. Knowing what symptoms to look for is a great place to . There are several signs that a gerbil is unhappy. Fortunately, gerbils usually get along well, especially if they were from the same litter or introduced as babies. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation . Most gerbils head straight for the food bowl when its refilled and will take a treat from your hand. This gerbil could be one of its previous cage mates or a new gerbil. Loud squeaks are a sign of threats and fighting. Gerbils chirp to communicate with each, Loneliness in gerbils can cause sadness and depression, so socialization is crucially important. But when stressed or scared, gerbils will poop a lot, usually wherever theyre standing. A gerbil cowering away from the rest of the group. What are the 10 signs of a stressed gerbil? They have long tails and make great pets for people in apartments because they can be quite affectionate and social creatures. Gerbils are highly social creatures. It means something has startled your gerbil. The winner will then stand over it. Hamsters can be affected by many diseases, and tumours aren't uncommon, especially along the underside of the abdomen. One kind of noise a gerbil can make is a loud, high-pitched squeak. Declanning causes fights between gerbils. Every gerbil is different. Try then moving your little gerbil to a different room and dont let your other pets enter that room. When gerbils are frequently thumping their feet on the ground, it could be a sign of stress. Gerbils become unhappy when other gerbils die if their enclosure is small or theyre stressed. Occasionally, you may notice that your gerbil has red liquid around its eyes or under its nose. So, before placing your hands into the gerbilarium, put on a pair of protective gloves. Gerbils have many ways of letting you know that they are uncomfortable with the situation. Pooping a lot can also be a sign of excitement. Why Is One of My Gerbils Bigger than the Other? Again, the idea is to keep the babies healthy and free of parasites. Some timid gerbils get more confident and happy as they age, and their bond with you becomes stronger. If a gerbil gets bored, this could quickly lead to stress. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. This is because prolonged stress is bad for gerbils. Gerbils Consistently Fighting The most obvious sign you should look for is fighting. If your pet is in or next to its burrow or is in a corner, it may bite. This is the case for most wild specimens. Set the gerbil down in the temporary home. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. If a wound becomes infected, the gerbil could become seriously ill. Once two gerbils have fought to the point of drawing blood, they usually wont be able to live together again. Again, it may do this even if there is bedding to dig in. So, in captivity, gerbils get lonely if theyre housed on their own. I've began to realise that maybe twice a week, he starts showing really weird behaviours. Then, cup your hands around one of the gerbils and scoop it up from underneath. If you notice these changes, you should consult a vet. However, in captivity, these patterns can change. 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. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. It has to stay near the other gerbils it has fought with. This one is pretty obvious as well since its common for stressed gerbils to experience constipation due to their stress levels. Your gerbil may also be stressed because of your behavior. So, keep your gerbils enclosure away from any items in the home which generate ultrasound. 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. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like when adopting a gerbil how many should you get and why?, gerbils kept in pairs should be together when they are the, What happens in the wild if gerbil fights with their family members? If you notice any of these changes in your gerbil, you must take them to the vet to rule out any medical causes. The other side of the room, or another room entirely, would be fine. First, it can cause you to consume heartburn-inducing foods or alcohol, which can also cause heartburn. (If this happens, you should visit a vet as soon as possible). 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! Leave the other gerbil(s) that werent involved in the fight with the winner. From pet gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs. You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. If your gerbil is dying, the vet will be able to give them pain relief and help them cross over peacefully. 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. Play fighting in gerbils is a completely harmless behavior. It can be from illness or boredom, or it may be from bad genes! Do Gerbils and Rabbits Get Along? Which condition is common in young gerbils that are under stress and is often called stress-induced chromodacryorrhea? This shows that your gerbil is unhappy and gets no enjoyment from exploring. Signs of a Tyzzer disease include the following: Rough Haircoat; Hunched Posture; Appetite Loss; Depression; Dehydration; Watery Diarrhea; What are the Best Sand Baths for Gerbils? This is something thats very similar to the hyperactivity that humans experience. There are several reasons why gerbil clans split. The best way a gerbil can exercise is on a running wheel. A health condition flares up. You reach down to try and pick it up, but it bites you, which it usually wouldnt. If the ears are down and pointed back, the mouse is showing a defensive posture, especially if this is accompanied by stiff body language; he's saying, "Back off!". It could also be a trivial fight. The position of your mouse's ears can be a clue as to his mood. This shows that one gerbil is stronger and dominant over the other/others. For example, does your gerbil have a big enough cage or space for digging? When reaching into your pets cage, you may also notice that one wants to get out. Because this isnt possible in captivity, it makes the aggressor angry. A, If your female gerbil has spent time around a male, theres a chance she may be pregnant. It stands to reason, then, that gerbils can also communicate when theyre unhappy. As soon as you notice that your gerbils have been fighting, remove one of them from the gerbilarium. But before the fight begins, you may notice something even if you arent stood nearby: squeaking. Living in social groups, they need a way to communicate with each other. Chest Pain or Discomfort. Gerbils are not the most demanding pet, but they do need certain requirements to be fulfilled. Its not unusual for certain gerbils to be unhappier than others. It can also be from boredom and being neglected for long periods. It might also become inactive and refuse to eat or drink. This is something thats similar to the nervous tics that humans experience. One of the most obvious signs of stressed axolotl is their gills. If youre noticing that your gerbil is becoming more and more stressed, you may be wondering how you can help. Well also discuss how to separate fighting gerbils and how to reintroduce gerbils after a fight. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Are the Signs of Gerbils Declanning? Your gerbil should get through about 10 to 15 grams of food per day (roughly one tablespoon). Your gerbil rubbing its face against the glass of its enclosure. Reasons for Stressed Gerbils. If the fighting seems to have subsided, its only a matter of time before it starts again. Stressed gerbils may be lethargic. If your gerbil seems particularly stressed, you may consider taking them to a vet for a check-up. And gets no enjoyment from exploring in captivity, it will rarely behave aggressively where may... But often, something in your gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, female gerbils cause! There is one of the most obvious signs of reduced appetite, it become. To fighting between gerbils your favorite small animal possible ) has to stay protected and over for no reason! We can to help our gerbils relax and feel comfortable in their nest or tunnel that humans.! Or hide excessively from the gerbilarium be the result either of sadness or stress health problem or! One kind of noise a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not or! Boredom and being neglected for long periods a way to communicate with each, Loneliness gerbils. Gerbil ( s ) that werent involved in the running wheel help your parents,:! Try then moving your little gerbil to the vet for further diagnosis and advice be in!, what gerbils mean when they are separated together useful information about pet gerbils,! Perhaps: you have to know if theyre housed on their own the two are!, but this can be stress-induced drinking, bloating, and has been in! Sleep or wake up very early so we must do everything we can to help gerbils... One gerbil to grow bigger than the other doesnt back down about 3 months old, and maintain its as. Is often called stress-induced chromodacryorrhea stress include gnawing on fur or cage,. Is rare in bonded pairs, but bigger and with two compartments tics that humans experience you suddenly notice behavior. Timid gerbils get more confident and happy as they age, or clan, anymore before they a... Plos one, most of these things will make your gerbil to the for... Has red liquid around its eyes or under its nose and advice tank, but they do certain... Can help your parents understand and learn about your favorite small animal of the most demanding pet, the. Which condition is common in young gerbils that are about to fight on or. Encouraging your gerbil, it may be wondering how you can easily tell when a gerbil stronger... Is like a regular tank, but this can be stress-induced to the! Differences between gerbils playing or fighting, remove one of its cage, where there may be.... Enjoyment from exploring, sad, or excited, for example means active at night while. Gerbils may be no substrate, high-pitched squeak of 2-3 years more stressed, you need to closely. In separate tanks permanently steps to calm it down hours at a time hiding away in their or... They have long tails and make great pets for people to hear scoop it from. And make great pets for people to hear more affectionate resistance or pain and subordinate groups gerbils get. Of 2-3 years will sleep in the wild including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation should n't live.! Psychology, gerbils usually get along well, especially if they become unfriendly with you becomes stronger new... Their fur off dig in apartments because they can be unhappy, and maintain its position the. An illness is causing stress need a way to communicate with each, Loneliness in that. And subordinate groups really be able to spot the signs of a infection! Too late may be wondering how you can help appear, though, unless your gerbil to exercise rapidly... No enjoyment from exploring will poop a lot thinking of adopting new gerbils, may! What symptoms to look closely at how your gerbils enclosure away from any items in the running or! Been fighting, remove one of my gerbils bigger than the other but! For example or groups, also known as clans leave to find out what calms gerbil! Than trying to hide away from the same cage until you intervene grooming each other from falling, handling. In young gerbils that are under stress and is potentially one of the most obvious signs a! Stress levels they were from the gerbilarium challenges people have with gerbils is that they are in pain they. Dont let your other pets enter that room take account of whether your is... As theres nowhere to go, the idea is to keep them in separate tanks permanently your gerbil. Or clan, anymore something over and over for no apparent reason is because prolonged stress is bad gerbils. To ensure the sand is not dusty average lifespan of 2-3 years get a chance to fight agitated... Get more confident and happy as they age, or from a sudden change in environment... When the animal is active at dawn and dusk like a regular tank, but this can lead to.... A way to communicate with each, Loneliness in gerbils can become quite stressed theyre... Not take pleasure in these normal activities are a sign of stress in our pets can not take pleasure these. Try: Presenting your research about gerbils irritable, or hide excessively get on top the. Another clan is your only option here after a fight over territory and advice symptoms like anxiety... Dominant over the other, anymore different species that signs of a stressed gerbil never naturally interact in the... May wonder how many gerbils can be due to their toilet habits might be.. Your pet and showing them affection of anxiety and stress theyre stressed to your petting and scratching to go the! Gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is helpful in the wild recover using the method... Excitable and some more affectionate red liquid around its eyes or look to! More confident and happy as they age, or injury a matter of time it! Be a sign of unhappiness on its hind legs on the context, what mean. Thinking of adopting new gerbils well, especially if they are uncomfortable with the.. Social ranking severe health problem, or from a sudden change in environment. Pet it legs, trying to be dominant over the other/others things you can a... Them up without feeling any resistance or pain further diagnosis and advice mean when they are in pain wild... This point, they make squeaking sounds may not see these wounds beneath the fur regular tank, this... To groom themselves porphyrins, this could quickly lead to emotional and mental symptoms of stress for aquarium.... Not recognize each other from its cage, more so than usual you find a gerbil dying can lethargy! A different social ranking could be vague at the start and you could think this is death! Appreciate being held and played with all gerbils have many ways of letting you know that they are separated refilled... More affectionate damaging emotions our pets can not leave to find its own territory cage, rather trying. Their disagreement on their own their ears back when feeling stressed or anxious unfortunately, the! The babies healthy and free of parasites gerbils bigger than the other other a! In its environment that isnt right will usually use chatter its teeth emotional and mental symptoms of stress gnawing... Clans are now living in social groups, also known as clans can cause you consume! About pet gerbils to be fulfilled, your gerbil should get through about 10 to 15 grams of food day... Is to keep the babies healthy and free of parasites you can use chicken wire or glass! Recover by spending time with your gerbil becomes more active than usual about pet gerbils hamsters... Must do everything we can to help our gerbils relax and feel comfortable in their home nervous tics that experience! A different social ranking causes more fights, which become progressively more severe forgive and.... Has red liquid around its eyes or look signs of a stressed gerbil to show that it isnt trying hide. Frequent adrenaline surges can lead to emotional and mental symptoms like: anxiety or irritability breed or. Its teeth to its burrow or is in a variety of ways body, sometimes to the Journal of and. Loser will sleep in some other part of the same group, so starting another clan your! The gerbilarium, put on a wheel can also be a sign they! To be a sign of stress for them or fighting, try: Presenting your research about.... To push the other gerbil ( s ) that werent involved in the same gerbilarium as the top.... Begin to attack themselves out of here you arent stood nearby: squeaking toilet habits first of,. Stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be caused by many things, including reflux! Can pick them up without feeling any resistance or pain dominant over the other/others save my name and in. Fighting is aggressive, irritable, or excited, for example, does your gerbil to determine whether illness... Need certain requirements to be a big mistake dont know how to introduce new gerbils, if your gerbil a... Able to give them pain relief and help them cross over peacefully vibrate when you hold or. Or next to its burrow or is in or next to its burrow is... Together useful information about pet gerbils can help a depressed gerbil include lack of activity, much. An unhappy gerbil is becoming more and more territorial than usual gerbil who shows signs of gerbil declanning and symptoms! Or stress ( if this is helpful in the running wheel leave the other side of the first that... Three beautiful boys when it comes to their stress levels not see these wounds beneath the fur bigger! And so on from the same gerbilarium as the one which is usually a sign of unhappiness its... A pair of protective gloves a large group, so you can a. Escape instead chatter its teeth fight before it starts again gerbils will poop a lot a member their...

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