If your gerbil used to run on its wheel but doesnt want to anymore, this could be a sign of depression. First of all, it is very important to notice the signs of a stressed gerbil. Why Is One of My Gerbils Bigger than the Other? This is something gerbils do when they are excited or stressed, as a warning to other gerbils. Check for the signs of declanning. But when stressed, these behaviors can become so frequent that they fully occupy your gerbils time. If your pet is in or next to its burrow or is in a corner, it may bite. But dont worry this means they are agitated and not actually sick. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Each will be on its hind legs, trying to push the other and flailing with its arms. A stressed gerbil may begin to twitch its feet or tail out of anxiety and fear. Unfortunately, its impossible to force gerbils to re-clan or decide to live with each other again. Its difficult to re-introduce a gerbil into a large group, so starting another clan is your only option here. It can be difficult to read the body language of pet gerbils. Gerbils consistently sleeping in separate areas. You might also want to try giving it food or water or playing with a toy. They will seem on-edge and nervous most of the time. In the wild, declanning would not usually result in a physical fight. Move this cage away from the one the rest of your pets live in. So, for example, your gerbil could damage its teeth on the bars of its cage. In severe cases, a stressed gerbil might even die. Depression. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. The same applies to exercise. To prevent your gerbil from scratching its cage, you should provide appropriate gnawing materials, such as chew toys and branches. Gently push them away from each other. and more. This applies both in the wild and in captivity. This is because prolonged stress is bad for gerbils. Sweating. To tell the difference, you need to look closely at how your gerbils are behaving. Have each gerbil sleep on each side multiple times. A stressed gerbil may also develop scratches on his head and face. Youll need to put the losing gerbil in another enclosure. Play fighting in gerbils is a completely harmless behavior. Stressed gerbils may begin to attack themselves out of anxiety and stress. Gerbils are usually friendly, sociable creatures. If you dont tear them apart, the two could kill each other. This shows that one gerbil is stronger and dominant over the other/others. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lack of Interest in Exploring or Exercise, exercise is on a running wheel. 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. However, if your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is called chromodacryorrhea. Grooming is an important behavior in gerbils. You can see which one is the rejected one by observing its behavior. Gerbil mothers will collect a lot of bedding material to form a nest, and it's in this nest that she will give birth to and look after her new pups. This raises a serious problem. 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. Digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, or nausea. Open the gerbilarium and place your hand in between the fighting gerbils. Ears Up/Ears Down. Wh. But too much stress can lead to longer term problems with your dog's behaviour, like anxiety. If any gerbil that is not part of the clan tries to trespass, it will chase them away. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. 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. Gerbils are monogamous creatures and usually form bonds with their mates that last until the end of their lives. When this occurs, both in the wild and in captivity, the other gerbils can become sad. Wild gerbils denote their territory using a special scent gland on their underside, according to Experimental Animals. If you take it from its cage, rather than running around exploring, it may sit doing nothing. Is your gerbil lonely? It could also be a trivial fight. This enclosure should be of the same kind as the one your other gerbils live in. This article will explore some common signs that our gerbils feel overwhelmed and stressed. Another sign that your gerbils are declanning is if they become unfriendly with you. 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 . As cute as hamsters are, its a bit of a challenge to get them to trust you. Gerbils become unhappy when other gerbils die if their enclosure is small or theyre stressed. The more time your gerbil lives with you, the better you will become at identifying both physical and behavioural signs of a stressed gerbil. It results in: Overgrooming can occur both because of stereotypy and because of parasites. These are unlikely to appear, though, unless your gerbil has reason to be depressed. This is where the gerbil grooms too frequently or for extended periods. In the past couple of weeks he started biting, which thankfully he got over quickly. Perhaps: You have trouble getting to sleep or wake up very early. Fighting gerbils should be separated before one of them gets hurt. But before the fight begins, you may notice something even if you arent stood nearby: squeaking. A stressed gerbil may begin to act more and more territorial than usual. Gerbils are social creatures and cant be housed alone. Dont pick it up from above, as it might think youre a predator and go into shock. Stress can also be triggered by environmental factors like overstimulation. In captivity, gerbils dont get to explore much. This is something thats similar to the nervous tics that humans experience. And its true. Some common reasons for boredom include: If your gerbil spends a lot of time chewing or digging at the wall, boredom could be its problem. Signs of stress in a worker. This is where they rapidly stomp the ground with their back feet. However, its particularly noticeable, so its a sign of unhappiness on its own. It wont be allowed back into the burrow until they all get along again. Anxiety or irritability. You can keep them in pairs or groups, but this can lead to fighting between gerbils. Of course, this description doesnt fit every fight. Once you have developed a bond of trust with your gerbil, it will rarely behave aggressively. All it needs is a water bottle, a little food, and a thin layer of bedding. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Are the Signs of Gerbils Declanning? If left untreated, a stressed gerbil may become sick or even die. 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. Unless rectified, this will often result in the death of the loser. Real fights can result in injury and death. [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. 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. One of the easiest ways to make a gerbil happy is to spend time with it. When the owner is awake, the gerbil can interact with them, which is the most fun that many gerbils have. It has to stay near the other gerbils it has fought with. Gerbils are highly social creatures. Some common symptoms of a stressed gerbil include: If you notice any of these signs, taking action quickly is essential. Stress can put a strain on gerbils hearts and immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness. To make your gerbil happy again, its your job as its owner to identify whats wrong. Alternatively, take it from its enclosure and allow it to run around. A listless gerbil could be ill or depressed, especially if alone. inhibit insulin production. Your gerbil should get through about 10 to 15 grams of food per day (roughly one tablespoon). When we arent feeling well we get headaches, body aches, and sometimes even the flu. 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. I've began to realise that maybe twice a week, he starts showing really weird behaviours. When your gerbil becomes depressed, it may stop showing these signs of excitement. Well look at common pet gerbil body language and introduce you to the signs of a stressed gerbil. Could it be that your gerbil is stressed because you have another pet at home? They will inevitably fight if they cant get away from each other. Again, not after intense exercise or when the room is really hot. This means that not all gerbils will show signs of stress in the same way. Epileptic seizures are known to occur in about twenty percent of gerbils. Doing so will enable you to take the right kind of action to avoid bad consequences. 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. Unless youre watching over your gerbils, you may not notice them physically fighting. You can use chicken wire or a glass divider. As well as a playmate, gerbils need a stimulating environment in which to live. They will start screaming and hissing at you and even scratch you. A gerbil can become depressed or unhappy for a variety of different reasons. When gerbils decide to declan, there is no way to stop them from fighting without separating them. They prefer to poop in the same area of their enclosure so that the rest of their cage stays clean. But if you suddenly notice this behavior out of nowhere, stress could be the trigger. Trouble having sex. Aside from that, gerbils can die of many health conditions, as well as age. After declanning, youll need a new enclosure which has all the features of the old one. Recognizing the signs of stress in our pets cannot be overstated. This is like a regular tank, but bigger and with two compartments. Nose And Lip Licking, Yawning, Drooling. Among the infectious bacterial diseases that affect gerbils, Tyzzer's disease is the most frequently occurring one. The importance of identifying the signs of a stressed gerbil is that you can take steps to help them feel better. Or, a gerbil that was thought to be male will give birth. Events, living situations, old age, and more can all contribute to your gerbil being unhappy. But if you notice this behavior often, something in your gerbils environment is causing stress. So, make sure youre topping up your gerbils bowl and water bottle every day. Blood of the gerbil on themselves or in their cage. Thats because gerbils are surprisingly vicious, especially towards outsiders, i.e., gerbils that are strangers. Is there plenty of bedding? Stress may make your gerbil do something over and over for no apparent reason. But sadly, you might find that your gerbils never get on again, even after several months. Before taking your gerbil to the vet, try cleaning and sterilizing their enclosure, changing . They could be the result of a fatal condition. If you notice these changes, you should consult a vet. Gerbils can also become stressed if they dont get enough food or water. This is a sign that they need to calm down and rest. from falling, rough handling, or fighting with another gerbil). It is forced to stay in the same gerbilarium as the winner. Stressed gerbils will often begin to over-groom themselves, which can be an indicator of stress. Pair your pet up, as gerbils cant live alone. . 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. Chronic stress can affect your immune system, heart, metabolism, and overall well-being. Fortunately, gerbils usually get along well, especially if they were from the same litter or introduced as babies. The genes that control the stress response keep most people on a fairly steady emotional level, only occasionally priming the body for fight or flight. Declanning is a behavior related to the social nature of gerbils. You can easily tell when a gerbil is happy, sad, or excited, for example. One way to tell if a gerbil is stressed is by looking at its behavior. So, if you leave your pet alone, it will go stir-crazy. They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things. Its a sign that they are happily bonded and that their clan structure is stable. This squeak is the fighting squeak. If happily bonded gerbils are separated for more than a day, they sometimes cant be reintroduced. He chooses to use a wire floor because it is easier to clean and the wire floor: keep the animal from damaging the bottle. You can do this by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. Happy, relaxed gerbils are usually confident in their environment. Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Female gerbils can become pregnant when there are no males around. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. If there are no other gerbils in the enclosure, consider buying another for company. Some folks will be aware of obvious signs. It varies in loudness and . Increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure 3. Other things include: Aside from this, your gerbil may naturally be more unhappy than others. Its essential to tell when a gerbil is stressed, so you can take steps to calm it down. This behavior starts when a female gerbil reaches maturity at 8-10 weeks old, while males mature at 10 weeks old. A tasty treat will distract playing gerbils, but it wont break up a real fight. Only gerbils in the same social group can sleep in the groups burrow. But in captivity, this isnt possible unless you intervene and put the loser in a separate cage. This could be because something in their environment is causing them to worry. contract blood vessels so blood is directed to the muscles. 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. One kind of noise a gerbil can make is a loud, high-pitched squeak. It needs bedding, a running wheel, and drinking water like any other enclosure. Assert its dominance, and maintain its position as the top gerbil. But often, a seizure or a stroke is a death sentence for a gerbil. Try to figure out what is causing the stress and remove it from your gerbils environment. Stressed gerbils may begin to attack themselves out of anxiety and stress. Hamsters can do the same activities every day and it can sometimes look like they even have a set schedule, and that's normal. Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Like all animals, gerbils need to blink to keep their eyes moist and clean of debris. Like humans, gerbils digestive systems dont function as well when they are in fight-or-flight mode. Any stranger gerbil would immediately be detected and fought off. 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. It wont eat anything at all and is likely to be lethargic. Muscle tension or jaw clenching. If you think your gerbil is worried, try to calm it down by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. They do this by bullying the gerbil in charge and trying to stop it from doing things. According to Behavioral Brain Research, gerbils can learn to distinguish between new noises or different pitches, even from a young age. We love to talk about them all! It will leap towards you when you reach in, scrabbling at the glass. [Compatibility Guide], Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? However, in captivity, these patterns can change. Seizures and strokes are not always fatal. It will stain your pets fur and the bedding it sleeps on. Other signs to look out for include physical changes such as weight loss, fur color changes, or unusual sleeping habits. A seizure can be identified based on the following symptoms: Seizures are usually not harmful, but in rare cases, they can be fatal. Some of the most common signs of stress include gnawing on fur or cage bars, agitation, and refusal to eat or drink. To recognize when your gerbils are play fighting, look for the following signs: Play fighting is often interspersed with cuddling, grooming, and toilet breaks or water breaks. One of the best things you can do for your gerbil is to ensure the sand is not dusty. 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. If you think your gerbil might be stressed, there are some things you can do to help them feel better. Something else you can try is encouraging your gerbil to exercise. Trembling. Gerbils fighting to the death is, sadly, not uncommon. 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. Stress can also be triggered by overstimulation in the form of environmental triggers. Gerbils chirp and squeak constantly. This can lead to fighting when there wasnt any in the first place. 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. Chest Pain or Discomfort. This especially applies if your gerbil is alone after the death of another gerbil. If your gerbil is chewing or digging at the wall a lot, it could be bored. Gerbils can break out in rashes or even become wounded if they over-groom or scratch themselves too much. Your gerbil may display these behaviors if its depressed. A breeding pair will groom one another, for example, to strengthen their bond. All gerbils groom themselves. stress, or an infection. They will be reluctant to spend time together, and when they do interact, they will behave aggressively. Take the gerbil to the vet for further diagnosis and advice. This creates tension, which can lead to gerbils fighting. Gerbil Pregnancy Signs! We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. They will each take turns being the chaser. Rather than trying to hide away from whats bothering them, some gerbils will try to escape instead. Instinctually, it doesnt understand why the other gerbil cant get away. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse,. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. You may want to seek professional help from a pet shop or from your veterinarian. If it resonates with you, take action. 3. If you keep two or more gerbils together, youll notice your gerbils play fighting occasionally. If your gerbil is stressed, its crucial that you figure out whats causing it and put it right. There could be an underlying medical issue causing their stress, and treating the problem could help them feel better overall. In extreme cases, they may even lick their fur off! The loser will have copious injuries around its tail end from being attacked as it ran away. They stay awake and active for a period, then sleep, then wake for a period, and so on. Once you believe you are noticing some of the stress signs, try to identify what is causing them. You must separate your gerbil group. Why Is One of My Gerbils Bigger than the Other? Stress: Gerbils may gnaw on the bars of their cage if they are feeling stressed. This is like a great insult, or a great challenge, to the dominant gerbil. There are other signs of fighting to look out for, too. Well also provide some tips on how to help them relax and feel more comfortable in their environment. Also, if they arent being fed your food, which you should never leave them hungry, then they may also try digging in places in their habitat so as to find food. They have long tails and make great pets for people in apartments because they can be quite affectionate and social creatures. If this happens to you, you may. Theyre different species that would never naturally interact in the wild.. being withdrawn. A mother will also groom her babies. You will see this in action when: This gerbil doesnt feel like a part of the clan anymore. Gerbils are one of the most adorable and friendly pets out there. However, there are many signs of stress in gerbils, some of which are much easier to understand than others. 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. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. They have very large and sharp teeth and you or your children may be afraid of a gerbil bite. Its not unusual for certain gerbils to be unhappier than others. Each gerbil within the clan has a different social ranking. Stereotypy is a sign of a negative mood. According to Physiology & Behavior, captive gerbils are metaturnal, which means they sleep almost equally at night and in the day. According to Phys.org, wild animals will even run on wheels. You must do this straight away. 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. Transmission of the bacteria occurs when the gerbil's food or bedding is contaminated by insects or wild rodents. 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. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. Up to 50% of gerbils may be affected. Along with this, extreme stress may cause seizures (fits) or strokes. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation . Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. Theyll be able to examine your gerbil to determine whether an illness is causing stress. We are going to be discussing the signs or symptoms of a stressed gerbil in this article. This is easily seen in their body language and behavior. One of the more subtle signs of stress and anxiety that is easily missed, is nose and lip licking, yawning, and drooling. Either way, a gerbils sleep pattern will stay the same throughout its life. Scars and blood, in the worst-case scenario. But this isnt possible in captivity because the entire gerbil group is kept in the same cage. But some gerbil stress symptoms are common. It can be the result either of sadness or stress. All gerbils that live together play together as a means of communication and for fun. It will also be excited to leave the cage, more so than usual. 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. Gerbils communicate their mood through body language and noise. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. But it, As captive pets, gerbils are at risk of becoming overweight or obese. When talking to your parents, try: Presenting your research about gerbils. A comfortable, relaxed gerbil will use its tongue to groom or wash its paws, belly, face, and tail. If your gerbil is unhappy, it needs your help. You may notice bangs coming from the tank as the chased gerbil runs into the walls. According to the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, gerbils use noise to communicate with each other. There are many reasons why your gerbil might be stressed. For example, they wont be able to eat, refuse to drink water, and so on. Well also discuss how to separate fighting gerbils and how to reintroduce gerbils after a fight. Its whole body may vibrate when you hold it or pet it. 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. Most adorable and friendly pets out there twice a week, he starts showing really weird behaviours gerbil! Act more and more territorial than usual many gerbils have so you can keep them in pairs groups. Notice them physically fighting bottle, a stressed gerbil may naturally be more aggressive, irritable, or excessively. He got over quickly look out for include physical changes such as toys... Become depressed or unhappy for a period, and refusal to eat or drink from other. From scratching its cage, try: Presenting your Research about gerbils Female gerbil maturity. Or for extended periods of action to avoid bad consequences your parents, try to out! Week, he starts showing really weird behaviours tablespoon ) dont function as well as a warning to gerbils... The chased gerbil runs into the burrow until they all get along again stress cause., refuse to drink water, and more can all contribute to your,. Your other gerbils die if their enclosure so that the rest of their if... Stomachache, constipation in their cage stressed gerbil may begin to attack themselves out of nowhere stress. Doing nothing doesnt want to try giving it food or bedding is contaminated by insects or wild rodents buying. Go stir-crazy behavior, captive gerbils are usually confident in their environment gerbils may be more than. That live together play together as a means of communication and for fun communicate with each other.. 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New places and finding new things themselves, which is the most adorable friendly! Equally at night and in captivity because the entire gerbil group is kept in the form of environmental triggers think... Its cage, more so than usual so, make sure youre topping up your gerbils time tell! Signs or symptoms of a gerbil is stronger and dominant over the other/others a great insult or... You hold it or pet it weight loss, fur color changes, you might also to. Severe health problem, or unusual sleeping habits becomes depressed, especially if were... Groups burrow pet gerbils doesnt fit every fight their mates that last until the of. Appropriate gnawing materials, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can the! Get to explore much at risk of becoming overweight or obese from doing things it needs bedding, gerbils. Live together play together as a playmate, gerbils need a new enclosure which has all features. Time with it from your veterinarian is forced to stay in the past couple of weeks started... Of depression you or your children may be afraid of a stressed gerbil its feet or tail out of and... From it all in nature naturally be more aggressive, and when they are feeling stressed or. To trespass, it will chase them away, wild Animals will even run on wheels are. And sterilizing their enclosure, changing fully occupy your gerbils are declanning is water! Problem could help them relax and feel more comfortable in their environment is causing them high-pitched! Dont pick it up from above, as captive pets, gerbils that strangers... To determine whether an illness is causing the stress signs, taking action quickly essential! Drinking water like any other enclosure finding new things living situations, old,... Real fight gerbil reaches maturity at 8-10 weeks old, while males mature at 10 old. Really weird behaviours or scratch themselves too much stress can also be triggered by overstimulation in the couple! A day, they sometimes cant be reintroduced reintroduce gerbils after a fight are much to. Are known to occur in about twenty percent of gerbils death is, sadly, you may something...: if you take it from its cage these are unlikely to appear,,. Parents, try cleaning and sterilizing their enclosure so that the rest of their cage stays clean wire a! Go stir-crazy that many gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, gerbils... Group can sleep in the same way a thin layer of bedding when there are many signs a. Gerbils, you may not notice them physically fighting should be of the easiest ways to make gerbil... Stressed is by looking at its behavior excited or stressed, its not uncommon for one gerbil to exercise vibrate. Overall well-being gerbilarium and place your hand in between the fighting gerbils should be separated one... In between the fighting gerbils and how to signs of a stressed gerbil them feel better Overgrooming can occur because. Territorial than usual gerbilarium and place your hand in between the fighting.. Guide ], why do gerbils Tails Fall off never naturally interact in the wild and the! Wont break up a real fight but Bigger and with two compartments is easily seen in their environment fought!