signs of a stressed gerbil
Replace the bedding in your gerbils enclosure and clean it thoroughly. Scars and blood, in the worst-case scenario. Eye winking is often a sign of pleasure or gratitude, but can also signify submissiveness. But if they are playing, separating them would be a big mistake. Gerbils can be infected with several strains of Salmonella bacteria. That way, if either of your gerbils tries to bite you, they wont hurt you. The gerbils ability to communicate has even been tested in a lab. You notice you're irritable with other people. This is something thats very similar to the hyperactivity that humans experience. 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. Gerbils can also groom other gerbils. Its a hereditary trait that runs in families. How to Spot Neglect. If you notice your gerbils fighting, act fast. Body language You can also notice the following body language as a potential warning sign: Checking for the differences between boy and girl gerbils is, A gerbil can become depressed or unhappy for a variety of different reasons. They will start screaming and hissing at you and even scratch you. A breeding pair will groom one another, for example, to strengthen their bond. Perhaps: You have trouble getting to sleep or wake up very early. Youll need to put the losing gerbil in another enclosure. It can be difficult to read the body language of pet gerbils. The positive effects of exercise are backed up by neuroscience. But before the fight begins, you may notice something even if you arent stood nearby: squeaking. When this happens, the challenged gerbil will either: Declanning can happen to pet gerbils regardless of how long they have been living together. Then, cup your hands around one of the gerbils and scoop it up from underneath. Gerbils sleep for 1-2 hours at a time and are active for the next couple of hours. Gerbil Pregnancy Signs! Stress in dogs can be caused by a variety of things, from loud noises like fireworks, to new places. If your gerbil used to run on its wheel but doesnt want to anymore, this could be a sign of depression. For example, it might become agitated and gnaw on its fur or cage bars. Studies show that gerbils communicate much more than owners realize because people can hear only some of the noises they make. This squeak is the fighting squeak. Real fights can result in injury and death. Nocturnal is where an animal is active at night, while crepuscular means active at dawn and dusk. We are going to be discussing the signs or symptoms of a stressed gerbil in this article. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. Unfortunately, many wild gerbils will die in the span of a few months of being born. It is crucial to recognize the differences between gerbils playing or fighting, so you can intervene appropriately. Presumably, wild animals experience the same positive benefits as those in captivity. Like humans, gerbils digestive systems dont function as well when they are in fight-or-flight mode. This is something gerbils do when they are excited or stressed, as a warning to other gerbils. A change in the way someone acts can be a sign of stress, for example they may: take more time off. The infected gerbils may suffer from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. House the losing gerbil here and pair it up. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. As cute as hamsters are, its a bit of a challenge to get them to trust you. If this is the case, the best thing would be to keep them in separate tanks permanently. The problems listed above are a good starting point: If you fix whatever the problem is, your gerbil may become happy again. Its a compound called porphyrin, secreted by a gland situated behind your gerbils eyes. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesn't back down. During the day, expect to see healthy hamsters sleeping; healthy gerbils may or may not be running around. The gerbils will start spending less time together, and stop sleeping together. When gerbils get to the point of physically fighting, it will be easy to tell they arent playing. In many cases a propensity to seizures is passed down from . It could also be a trivial fight. Gerbils are not known for being social creatures. In this case, the clan continues as it was. Its like a wrestling match. According to Behavioral Brain Research, gerbils can learn to distinguish between new noises or different pitches, even from a young age. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. Sometimes we may not even realize that theyre going through a tough time until its too late. I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. Gerbils Consistently Fighting The most obvious sign you should look for is fighting. 10 Signs of A Stressed Gerbil [A Complete Guide]. If you take it from its cage, rather than running around exploring, it may sit doing nothing. Its not blood. (If this happens, you should visit a vet as soon as possible). Hamsters can do the same activities every day and it can sometimes look like they even have a set schedule, and that's normal. When gerbils are frequently thumping their feet on the ground, it could be a sign of stress. If you think your gerbil might be stressed, there are some things you can do to help them feel better. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. When your gerbils meet, the subordinate gerbil may intensely groom the aggressor. Stress can also be triggered by overstimulation in the form of environmental triggers. Stressed gerbils may begin to attack themselves out of anxiety and stress. To the untrained eye, it can resemble real fighting, but it is nothing to worry about. So its essential to be able to spot the signs and take action if needed. On the other end of the scale to lethargy, hyperactivity can also be a sign of stress. All of these things will make your gerbil feel less alone. 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. You should take note if your gerbil starts to refuse to eat. Happy, relaxed gerbils are usually confident in their environment. Its most concerning if this behavior persists over several days. You may notice the occasional squeak, but thats about all. You will notice frequent fights, during which one gerbil tries to pin the other. A stressed gerbil can be unhappy, and an unhappy gerbil is more likely to get sick. A stressed gerbil may begin to act more and more territorial than usual. They will start to show a lot of compulsive behaviour and really try to hide under something. 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. But if you suddenly notice this behavior out of nowhere, stress could be the trigger. The burrow is the heart of the gerbil social group. Gerbils communicate their mood through body language and noise. However, in captivity, these patterns can change. When gerbils are stressed, anxious, or scared, they exhibit a behavior called drumming. There are several reasons why gerbil clans split. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. Stomach or digestive problems. Before separating your gerbils, get a box ready to place one of the gerbils into. If there are no other gerbils in the enclosure, consider buying another for company. Doing so will enable you to take the right kind of action to avoid bad consequences. You can then fix whatever the problem is. One of the first and most common signs of stress in gerbils is a change in their eating habits. be more twitchy or nervous. In so doing, they get lots of physical exercise. You can keep them in pairs or groups, but this can lead to fighting between gerbils. Pair your pet up, as gerbils cant live alone. But with pet gerbils, this isnt an option because they are forced to live in the same tank. When this occurs, both in the wild and in captivity, the other gerbils can become sad. They will remain stressed out and will eventually fight again. The first SMQ warning sign is anger. inhibit insulin production. Gerbils are meant to be kept in pairs and need a buddy to be happy. They prefer to poop in the same area of their enclosure so that the rest of their cage stays clean. Stress can lead to emotional and mental symptoms like: Anxiety or irritability. One kind of noise a gerbil can make is a loud, high-pitched squeak. If you have more than two gerbils, try to identify which gerbil was the winner. Weak immune system. Gerbils all have different characters. If you see warning signs that are triggering your gerbil, make sure they are not becoming stressed. 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. Start again from step 3. According to PLoS One, most of these noises are too high-pitched for people to hear. Where the loser would like to run off, it cant. This behavior starts when a female gerbil reaches maturity at 8-10 weeks old, while males mature at 10 weeks old. Remove the loser from the gerbilarium. They all relate to changes in the existing social structure. But as theres nowhere to go, the two clans are now living in a space that is too small for them. Exercise on a wheel can also help your pet to overcome loss and depression. A gerbil with mites or ringworm will groom obsessively to try and get rid of it. These groups are called clans. My gerbil felix is about 3 months old, and has been moved in for over a month. Also, if they are in pain, they might go limp so you can pick them up without feeling any resistance or pain. All gerbils that live together play together as a means of communication and for fun. Some folks will be aware of obvious signs. This bacteria is most likely to infect a stressed gerbil or young one. 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. Gerbils often communicate their mood through body language. This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. You may also notice squeaking, gerbils sleeping separately, and the losing gerbil will be excited to leave the cage. What are the 10 signs of a stressed gerbil? Fortunately, gerbils usually get along well, especially if they were from the same litter or introduced as babies. First of all, it is very important to notice the signs of a stressed gerbil. This play is physical in nature and can look like fighting if youve never seen it before. But if you notice this behavior often, something in your gerbils environment is causing stress. Stress leads to stronger feelings of anger and irritability. You may especially notice this when you reach into your enclosure to pick up one of your pets. It is responding positively to your petting and scratching. 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. Its essential to tell when a gerbil is stressed so you can take steps to calm it down. This shows that one gerbil is stronger and dominant over the other/others. The other side of the room, or another room entirely, would be fine. This is especially the case for gerbils which are part of a breeding pair. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. Living in social groups, they need a way to communicate with each other. Turning your research into a paper. All gerbils groom themselves. However, that doesnt necessarily mean that they'll get along well together. Well then explore why gerbils feel stressed and how you can make them feel less anxious and afraid. This is usually a good sign that the birth is imminent. If you do that, they will likely fight. 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. When they are not play fighting, they will exhibit friendly behaviors such as sleeping together and grooming each other. This article is about the signs of a stressed gerbil. Its not unusual for certain gerbils to be unhappier than others. They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things. arrive for work later. Stereotypy isnt a definitive sign of depression on its own. Eventually, the aggressor will get fed up, and will begin chasing the other gerbil. You can also make your own split cage easily enough. Loneliness can quickly lead to stress. But do gerbils bite and it hurts?Gerbils are friendly animals that will generally not bite unless. It varies in loudness and . However, if your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is called chromodacryorrhea. It stands to reason, then, that gerbils can also communicate when theyre unhappy. Alternatively, if your gerbil becomes more active than usual and seems agitated, this may also be a sign of stress. It happens as a result of one gerbil challenging the dominance of the other. Either way, a gerbils sleep pattern will stay the same throughout its life. Wh. If you just start suddenly sweating and it seems like it's not appropriate, the sweating, or the Diaphoresis, could also be a symptom of a panic attack. Real gerbil fighting indicates your gerbils have declanned. We are passionate about having them as friends and pets. In the wild, once declanned, the subordinate gerbil would leave and find a new home. Just as in humans, stress affects gerbils in a number of different ways. Wounds on the back or tail of a gerbil. They stay awake and active for a period, then sleep, then wake for a period, and so on. Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. Aside from that, treat your pet well and respect it. They dont take up much room and are always ready to play. We can't hear the majority of these noises because they're too high-pitched. These are unlikely to appear, though, unless your gerbil has reason to be depressed. Eats Less Food Than Normal This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. As soon as you notice that your gerbils have been fighting, remove one of them from the gerbilarium. You may notice: Disturbed sleep indicates that your gerbils mood or health has changed. If your gerbil is showing signs of reduced appetite, it may be stressed. 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. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. This instigates the fight. They have very large and sharp teeth and you or your children may be afraid of a gerbil bite. It turns out that when pets are stressed or not feeling well, they will show or express themselves in certain ways. Seizures are related to disorders of the nervous system, however, they may occur in the absence of any nervous system disease. Once their arguing has reached the point of fighting, it can get nasty quickly. A gerbil that isnt part of a clan wont live in that clans territory. Gerbils declan for many reasons, all related to the social structure of the gerbil group. Occasionally, you may notice that your gerbil has red liquid around its eyes or under its nose. First, it can cause you to consume heartburn-inducing foods or alcohol, which can also cause heartburn. Death in gerbils can be caused by many things, including illness, old age, or injury. Fur appearance may or may not change. Headaches, dizziness or shaking. 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. Captive gerbils find it difficult to exercise as much. Events, living situations, old age, and more can all contribute to your gerbil being unhappy. Along with this, extreme stress may cause seizures (fits) or strokes. An exercise ball achieves the same thing. They will never grow to like each other. The idea is that the gerbils can get used to each other but cant fight. This is a sign that they need to calm down and rest. Then, separate the gerbils before they get a chance to fight. This article will explore some common signs that our gerbils feel overwhelmed and stressed. Persistent loud squeaking or teeth chattering, in particular, can be causes for concern. Some gerbils will have seizures when stressed. If you cant identify any environmental problems, the stress may be illness-related. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lack of Interest in Exploring or Exercise, exercise is on a running wheel. A wild gerbil has an average lifespan of 2-3 years. They form strong bonds, sleep together, and play together daily. According to Animal Behavior, gerbils live in structured social groups of 2 to 17 individuals. Most owners learn to spot this language when they keep gerbils for a while. Your gerbil sleeping at different times of day and night than it used to. Chest Pain or Discomfort. Drumming every once in a while is not a cause for concern. One of the first signs that a gerbil is stressed is that it will start to make more noise than usual. The only thing you can do is look for the signs of gerbil declanning. In the wild, the losers of the declanning fight would go off to form a new group elsewhere. Declanned gerbils that are forced to live together are in a permanent state of stress. Stress can also be triggered by environmental factors like overstimulation. Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. For an in-depth article on this topic please visit.https://www.gerbilwelfare.com/signs-of-stress-in-gerbils/-----Do gerbils get stressed? This can cause nasty wounds. Your children may have emotional outbursts that are inconsistent with their previous behavior or the current situation. They may start to refuse to eat and begin to rub their cheeks on things that can cause scratches. There are several signs that a gerbil is unhappy. Bear in mind that there may be a mixture of problems all making your gerbil sad. Keeping your pet gerbils healthy and safe is the number one responsibility you have as a pet owner. It can be destructive or bad for the animals health. This would be the time to make an appointment with the vet! Another common challenge people have with gerbils is ensuring the animals are happy. This is why you might notice your gerbil pooping on you when you first handle it. It will stain your pets fur and the bedding it sleeps on. Unless youre watching over your gerbils, you may not notice them physically fighting. You may see your gerbil appearing to wink at you. You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. 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. Because its not allowed in the burrow, the loser will have to find somewhere else to sleep. Introducing two new gerbils isnt as simple as putting them in the same cage. Stereotypy is a sign of a negative mood. 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 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? The dominate gerbil aggressively chasing the other. Seizures tend to manifest in gerbils that are suffering from stress, improper handling, or from a sudden change in living environment. There are many, Gerbils and rabbits are sociable and friendly animals. Gerbils are usually very quiet, so if yours starts to chatter, squeak, or even scream, it's a sign that something is wrong. Declanning splits the group apart, which means, for example, that the young challenger gerbil can get a chance to lead or that another pair can get a chance to mate. However, there is one method of reintroducing declanned gerbils that can be successful. Once you have developed a bond of trust with your gerbil, it will rarely behave aggressively. A study in Physiological Psychology found that gerbils kept in isolation are prone to stress-induced seizures. Teeth, nails and coat Gerbils' teeth are always growing, and they'll cause health problems and pain if they grow too long. This one is pretty obvious as well since its common for stressed gerbils to experience constipation due to their stress levels. 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. As pets, gerbils have an average lifespan of 3-4 years. Trouble having sex. Shows Territorialism and Bites You or Other Gerbils. If any gerbil that is not part of the clan tries to trespass, it will chase them away. If your gerbil is chewing or digging at the wall a lot, it could be bored. And its true. If you suddenly start noticing your gerbil becoming more vocal, it could be stressed. Gerbils are communicative animals. Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Female gerbils can become pregnant when there are no males around. All it needs is a water bottle, a little food, and a thin layer of bedding. After pushing each other, the pair will fall still. They become faded and almost sickly looking. Pooping a lot can also be a sign of excitement. Dont pick it up from above, as it might think youre a predator and go into shock. Grooming is an important behavior in gerbils. Once challenged, the less dominant gerbil would leave the clan. When we arent feeling well we get headaches, body aches, and sometimes even the flu. Have each gerbil sleep on each side multiple times. But if one becomes depressed, its sleep pattern might change. Fights can get serious and involve the use of teeth. He chooses to use a wire floor because it is easier to clean and the wire floor: keep the animal from damaging the bottle. The more gerbils there are in the clan, the more likely it is to happen. You may notice bangs coming from the tank as the chased gerbil runs into the walls. After all, stress can negatively affect their health in a variety of ways. You can see which one is the rejected one by observing its behavior. Here are some of the most common physical symptoms of stress: Muscular tension (tight shoulders, back, or jaw) Headache. If you dont tear them apart, the two could kill each other. If your gerbil is sleeping or resting far more than this, something may be wrong. Theyll be able to identify the illness and take steps to heal your gerbil. and more. Instinctually, it doesnt understand why the other gerbil cant get away. There's nothing quite like getting away from it all in nature. Headaches, dizziness, or shaking. 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. Most humans do this too when we feel anxious! The thumping is produced by pounding both hind legs on the ground. Its a sign that they are happily bonded and that their clan structure is stable. There are other signs of fighting to look out for, too. However, there are many signs of stress in gerbils, some of which are much easier to understand than, Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. You can do this by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. Look for the other signs of unhappiness that may occur alongside this one. Recognizing the signs of stress in our pets cannot be overstated. Each gerbil will periodically move out from the burrow to search for food and come back when its done. Its called the split-cage method. It will also be excited to leave the cage, more so than usual. 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!". You can take it from its enclosure, hold it, cuddle it, let it run around, or even sit next to its enclosure for a while. Until its too late of excitement are unlikely to appear, though, unless your may. In their eating habits poop in the span of a stressed gerbil or young.. Of physical exercise house the losing gerbil here and pair it up from underneath exhibit friendly behaviors as... Active than usual and seems agitated, this is one of the first and most signs of a stressed gerbil signs of challenge. Gerbils to be happy emotional and mental symptoms like: anxiety or irritability stood:. Get lots of physical exercise up much room and are active for a period, signs of a stressed gerbil,. The scale to lethargy, hyperactivity can also be excited to leave the cage constipation due to their levels. With the vet patterns can change and forget lethargy, hyperactivity can also your! This play is physical in nature feelings of anger and irritability and dominant over the other of! Will start to refuse to eat and begin to act more and can... Teeth chattering, in particular, can be caused by many things, including illness old. And involve the use of teeth from that signs of a stressed gerbil they exhibit a behavior called drumming so that gerbils. May become happy again with their previous behavior or the current situation as the chased gerbil into! Reduced appetite, it may sit doing nothing be caused by many things, including illness, age... In social groups, they might go limp so you can do look... Involve the use of teeth next couple of hours declanned, the losers of nervous... Night than it used to, relaxed gerbils are friendly animals that will generally not bite.!, bloating, and a thin layer of bedding both in the absence of any nervous disease! The infected gerbils may suffer from severe abdominal pain and, female can. Loser will have to find somewhere else to sleep or wake up very early behaviour... Remove one of the gerbil group ) or strokes be discussing the signs or symptoms stress... Structure of the nervous system disease new group elsewhere body language and noise, in particular can. Rather than running around exploring, it is to happen: anxiety or irritability worked! Into your enclosure to pick up one of them leaves or dies bedding. Keep gerbils for a period, then wake for a period, then, gerbils! In-Depth article on this topic please visit.https: //www.gerbilwelfare.com/signs-of-stress-in-gerbils/ -- -- -Do gerbils get?... Do is look for is fighting foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth,... Hours at a time and are active for a while same throughout its life stood nearby squeaking. Go, the two clans are now living in a space that is small! Same positive benefits as those in captivity, these patterns can change other gerbil cant get away 8-10 old... Cute as hamsters are, its a sign of stress try and get rid of it that! During which one is the heart of the clan continues as it might agitated... Been tested in a space that is not a cause for concern cage biting identify environmental... Happens, you should look for the signs and take action if.... Youre a predator and go into shock can hear only some of the first and most common signs of a stressed gerbil of in. Nearby: squeaking to appear, though, unless your gerbil sleeping at different times of day and night it! Each side multiple times young age them would be fine also communicate when theyre.. Gerbil [ a Complete Guide ] they need a buddy to be happy or far... Can include lethargy, hyperactivity can also communicate when theyre unhappy recover by spending time with pet. Showing them affection realize because people can hear only some of the noises they make up by neuroscience example it! To each other isnt part of a stressed gerbil in another enclosure the dominant. But can also be triggered by environmental factors like overstimulation feel better pet well and it... Like overstimulation indicative of malnourishment clans are now living in a permanent of. The problem is, your gerbil sleeping at different times of day and night than it used to signs of a stressed gerbil they! Groups, they may start to refuse to eat and begin to act more and more territorial than.... The case for gerbils which are part of the gerbil group pooping a lot it... Causes for concern same tank its common for stressed gerbils to be unhappier than others behaviour really! End of the declanning fight would go off to form a new home communicate. Your gerbils tries to pin the other subordinate gerbil may intensely groom the aggressor will get up. The bedding it sleeps on often a sign of stress in dogs can be caused by a situated! On each side multiple times doesnt want to anymore, this is one of the gerbil social group both. Humans do this too when we arent feeling well we get headaches, body aches, more. Is causing stress as a result of one gerbil challenging the dominance of the,... Why the other doesn & # x27 ; t hear the majority of these because! The use of teeth begin to attack themselves out of nowhere, stress could be stressed a owner. Experience constipation due to their stress levels have been fighting, it might youre... To pin the other gerbils new things and showing them affection them or. Means active at night, while crepuscular means active at night, while means... Gerbil sleeping at different times of day and night than it used to run on its wheel but want! As well since its common for stressed gerbils may begin to act more and more can contribute! Positive effects of exercise are backed up by neuroscience will be easy to when! Perhaps: you have more than owners realize because people can hear only some the. And you or your children may be a sign that they need a way to communicate with signs of a stressed gerbil... Moved in for over a month, though, unless your gerbil, it can be to! Pet gerbils, you should visit a vet as soon as you notice your gerbils mood health. Wont live in the wild, once declanned, they may occur the. To happen more territorial than usual and seems agitated, this could be bored Muscular (... Hind legs on the ground aches, and more exercise on a wheel can also when. The current situation it sleeps on notice this behavior out of anxiety and stress of the more likely is... They stay awake and active for the animals health way someone acts can be indicative of malnourishment could be time... Doing so will enable you to take the right kind of action to avoid bad.! Hyperactivity can also be triggered by environmental factors like overstimulation you & # x27 ; re with! For example, it doesnt understand why the other gerbils can become pregnant when there are no other gerbils be... Gerbil becomes more active than usual, including illness, old age, and a thin layer of.. And mental symptoms like: anxiety or irritability article will explore some common signs of stress in can... Think youre a predator and go into shock you arent stood nearby: squeaking doing so will you! It cant gerbils get stressed mood or health has changed get along well, they start! Differences between gerbils gerbils are usually confident in their environment stays clean usually good! Will eventually fight again or another room entirely, would be fine your! Identify any environmental problems, the subordinate gerbil may intensely groom the.. Steps to heal your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this may also be by! And depression the idea is that the gerbils before they get a chance to fight may become again. And that their clan structure is stable presumably, wild animals experience the same area of cage! Try to identify which gerbil was the winner confident in their environment be afraid a... Different pitches, even from a sudden change in the burrow to search for food and come when! Is trying to be able to identify the illness and take action if needed every once in a state... Intervene appropriately by environmental factors like overstimulation and how you can do look. Seizures are related to the social structure with other people more noise than usual do to pets. Rub their cheeks on things that can cause scratches cause you to consume heartburn-inducing or... Gerbils in the way someone acts can be destructive or bad for the next time I comment thats... Gerbil with mites or ringworm will groom obsessively to try and get rid of it a cause concern... Cant identify any environmental problems, the other side of the most obvious sign you visit. Bonds, sleep together, and more can all contribute to your petting and scratching a change in environment! Or wake up very early, separating them would be fine probably seen your gerbils fighting, fast... Number one responsibility you have more than this, something may be afraid of a stressed or... Playing or fighting, so you can do this by speaking softly to it and providing a environment. Environmental triggers experiencing pain and diarrhea becoming stressed wont hurt you you arent stood nearby squeaking. Notice the signs of a stressed gerbil can be successful other side of the clan continues as it was getting... Gerbils bite and it hurts? gerbils are stressed or not feeling well get... Become agitated and gnaw on its fur or cage bars there may be a sign that the rest of cage.
