This is because the gerbils have gone through a process called declanning.. Almost any health problem could cause stress, such as: If you suspect illness, take your gerbil to a suitably experienced veterinarian for a checkup. Stereotypy is a sign of a negative mood. Some gerbils bite or dig at their cage walls out of habit. But you will see the blood these bites cause. Because gerbils are such active animals, they need a lot of sleep to compensate for this physical exertion. Also, if they are in pain, they might go limp so you can pick them up without feeling any resistance or pain. Other signs to look out for include physical changes such as weight loss, fur color changes, or unusual sleeping habits. A gerbil can become depressed or unhappy for a variety of different reasons. Try then moving your little gerbil to a different room and dont let your other pets enter that room. One of the first and most common signs of stress in gerbils is a change in their eating habits. Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. You can see which one is the rejected one by observing its behavior. So, keep your gerbils enclosure away from any items in the home which generate ultrasound. He's been really chill and friendly from the start. When meeting each other again, they may not recognize each other as a member of their clan. As cute as hamsters are, its a bit of a challenge to get them to trust you. [1] 4 Check if your gerbil grooms or washes itself. Gerbils are usually very quiet, so if yours starts to chatter, squeak, or even scream, it's a sign that something is wrong. Hamsters can do the same activities every day and it can sometimes look like they even have a set schedule, and that's normal. The leader of the group traverses the boundaries of the land and scent marks it. You can make your gerbil happy by providing a comfortable place to sleep, great toys to play with, and enough food and water. This can be due to a variety of factors such as, noise, changes in environment, overcrowding and more. The signs of a depressed gerbil include lack of activity, too much sleep, bar chewing, and floor scratching. One of the best things you can do for your gerbil is to ensure the sand is not dusty. But if you only have two gerbils, it can help teach them how to get along again. It means something has startled your gerbil. Gardening gloves work well for this purpose. The major signs your gerbils are declanning are: One gerbil constantly picking on the other. Of course, this description doesnt fit every fight. But in captivity, this is physically impossible. Gerbils can be infected with several strains of Salmonella bacteria. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils are social creatures that shouldn't live alone. This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. But often, a seizure or a stroke is a death sentence for a gerbil. Some gerbils are prone to seizing when suddenly frightened or exposed to prolonged stress. Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Like all animals, gerbils need to blink to keep their eyes moist and clean of debris. To thrive and be happy, they must be kept in groups of at least two. Take this gerbil and put it in another cage. They form strong bonds, sleep together, and play together daily. The signs of a depressed gerbil include lack of activity, too much sleep, bar chewing, and floor scratching. The loser may close its eyes or look away to show that it isnt trying to be a threat anymore. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. Perpetually biting on cage bars can damage your gerbils teeth. Gerbils can also become stressed if they dont get enough food or water. This creates tension, which can lead to gerbils fighting. For example, they wont be able to eat, refuse to drink water, and so on. Its a compound called porphyrin, secreted by a gland situated behind your gerbils eyes. Some folks will be aware of obvious signs. That alone can fix most problems. Exercise on a wheel can also help your pet to overcome loss and depression. Trouble having sex. 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 not always obvious in floppy-eared breeds. They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things. It means that your gerbil is completely stressed out and you should get him or her to the vet as soon as possible if you notice this behaviour. This is especially the case for gerbils which are part of a breeding pair. This is going to be a temporary home while you sort out a permanent housing solution. 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. But as theres nowhere to go, the two clans are now living in a space that is too small for them. Its normal to see some red tears from time to time. During the day, expect to see healthy hamsters sleeping; healthy gerbils may or may not be running around. The only thing you can do is look for the signs of gerbil declanning. If you think your gerbil is worried, try to calm it down by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. Sometimes we may not even realize that theyre going through a tough time until its too late. Once their arguing has reached the point of fighting, it can get nasty quickly. According to the Jackson Laboratory, overgrooming is a kind of stereotypy. This is a normal outcome of a fight over territory. Sleeping separately is the most obvious sign. Is there plenty of bedding? Keeping Them as Stress free as Possible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology. Your gerbil digging in the corner of its cage, where there may be no substrate. Obsessive behaviors are not always a sign of stress. If you follow our above advice, you should be able to figure out whats causing your gerbil stress. Stress in dogs can be caused by a variety of things, from loud noises like fireworks, to new places. Sometimes, they may try to touch noses with their owner, as well. Your gerbil sleeping at different times of day and night than it used to. Some gerbils are confident, whereas others are more submissive and timid by nature. Up to 50% of gerbils may be affected. However, if your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is called chromodacryorrhea. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. Alternatively, take it from its enclosure and allow it to run around. Shows Territorialism and Bites You or Other Gerbils. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation . It is forced to stay in the same gerbilarium as the winner. The infected gerbils may suffer from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. But in captivity, this isnt possible unless you intervene and put the loser in a separate cage. After declanning, youll need a new enclosure which has all the features of the old one. No stress - and a new beginning. They will stand, not quite facing each other, ready to lash out. Quality of life decisions should take account of whether your gerbil can or cannot take pleasure in these normal activities. House the losing gerbil here and pair it up. If your gerbil is chewing or digging at the wall a lot, it could be bored. First of all, it is very important to notice the signs of a stressed gerbil. The split-cage method does not work if there are three or more gerbils. Promising to take care of it yourself. How Do I Know My Gerbil is Pregnant? Why Is One of My Gerbils Bigger than the Other? Its also essential to make sure your gerbil is happy. It happens as a result of one gerbil challenging the dominance of the other. Once your gerbil reaches adulthood, it wont make as many noises anymore. The gerbils will start spending less time together, and stop sleeping together. Grooming is an important behavior in gerbils. If you take good care of your gerbil, it should be stress-free and happy. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. This causes more fights, which become progressively more severe. Your gerbil may also be stressed because of your behavior. Gerbils fighting to the death is, sadly, not uncommon. All gerbils groom themselves. Its most concerning if this behavior persists over several days. It has to stay near the other gerbils it has fought with. Gerbils are meant to be kept in pairs and need a buddy to be happy. Anger. In the past couple of weeks he started biting, which thankfully he got over quickly. The most Mongolian Gerbil Care: The Complete Guide. Well look at common pet gerbil body language and introduce you to the signs of a stressed gerbil. It may even attempt to bite you or another gerbil if it feels that its territory is being threatened in any way! Eventually, the aggressor will get fed up, and will begin chasing the other gerbil. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesn't back down. When your gerbil becomes sad, you can tackle the problem if you know how to spot the telltale signs. inhibit insulin production. Your pet should still recognize you and want to spend time with you if you let it see you first. Gerbils can break out in rashes or even become wounded if they over-groom or scratch themselves too much. Its essential to tell when a gerbil is stressed, so you can take steps to calm it down. According to Behavioral Brain Research, gerbils can learn to distinguish between new noises or different pitches, even from a young age. Be friendly and spend lots of time with it. A gerbil eating its own poop isnt a sign of a problem. This instigates the fight. It wont be allowed back into the burrow until they all get along again. The pair may then push each other around, trying to gain the upper hand. If you think your gerbil is dying, acting fast is essential. Gerbils, If you want to breed gerbils or prevent them from breeding, you have to know if theyre male or female. It can also be caused by a change in routine. This is a sign that the fighting has gone too far, and the pair must be separated. Anger is the outward expression of inner stress and is potentially one of the most damaging emotions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How To Tell If A Gerbil Is Male or Female [A Guide To Sexing Gerbils], How to Tell If Your Gerbil is Depressed (And What to Do About It), Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? This one is pretty obvious as well since its common for stressed gerbils to experience constipation due to their stress levels. They will seem on-edge and nervous most of the time. However,. Depending on the parasite burden, humans may have no apparent clinical signs or may have nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and central nervous signs (agitation). If you arent sure whether your gerbils are playing or fighting, try offering them food. Hamsters are prey by nature, which makes them wary of any animal larger in size, and that includes you. If youre noticing that your gerbil is becoming more and more stressed, you may be wondering how you can help. In so doing, they get lots of physical exercise. It will also be excited to leave the cage, more so than usual. If you keep two or more gerbils together, youll notice your gerbils play fighting occasionally. Start again from step 3. Establishing the reason behind your gerbil being . 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. He runs and paces up and down the . Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. It's normal for your dog to feel stressed from time to time. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. 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