It can be difficult to read the body language of pet gerbils. [1] 4 Check if your gerbil grooms or washes itself. From pet gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs. But some gerbil stress symptoms are common. Overactive or underactive stress responses may stem from slight differences in these genes. If a gerbil gets bored, this could quickly lead to stress. 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. When your gerbil becomes sad, you can tackle the problem if you know how to spot the telltale signs. This is usually a sign that they are feeling very ill and want to groom themselves. Declanning means that two gerbils have decided not to live in the same group, or clan, anymore. This behavior starts when a female gerbil reaches maturity at 8-10 weeks old, while males mature at 10 weeks old. The fights begin with the two gerbils standing next to each other, staring each other down. Just as in humans, stress affects gerbils in a number of different ways. Real fights can result in injury and death. Your gerbil may display these behaviors if its depressed. Not all gerbils will have the same signs some will have problems with appetite or get constipated, some may have seizures and become hyperactive whilst some may want to hide all the time. Its not unusual for certain gerbils to be unhappier than others. This raises a serious problem. Leave the other gerbil(s) that werent involved in the fight with the winner. Stress can lead to emotional and mental symptoms like: Anxiety or irritability. Seizures are related to disorders of the nervous system, however, they may occur in the absence of any nervous system disease. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. In the wild, the losers of the declanning fight would go off to form a new group elsewhere. Gerbils are highly social creatures. The idea is that the gerbils can get used to each other but cant fight. A cat or dog, perhaps? Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Like all animals, gerbils need to blink to keep their eyes moist and clean of debris. Trembling. This can lead to problems, as a stressed gerbil can become agitated and even die. If you notice the signs of declanning, you have to take action. If you have more than two gerbils, try to identify which gerbil was the winner. Introducing two new gerbils isnt as simple as putting them in the same cage. If you see any of these signs, try to calm the gerbil down by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. You can also offer them some chew toys or other enrichment items to help keep their minds active and distracted from whatever is causing their stress. stress, or an infection. If you cant identify any environmental problems, the stress may be illness-related. Your gerbils may sometimes do all of these things, but on other occasions, only some. Exhaustion or trouble sleeping. But if you notice this behavior often, something in your gerbils environment is causing stress. Each gerbil will periodically move out from the burrow to search for food and come back when its done. We love to talk about them all! Grooming is an important behavior in gerbils. If you notice these changes, you should consult a vet. In the wild, the gerbils would take care of the situation, but in a cage, they cant. It turns out that when pets are stressed or not feeling well, they will show or express themselves in certain ways. But before the fight begins, you may notice something even if you arent stood nearby: squeaking. The position of your mouse's ears can be a clue as to his mood. You are the only other animal your gerbil can interact with. 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 . True gerbil fighting is rare in bonded pairs, but it can happen at any point, often without warning. 3. Gerbils have tiny hearts that work hard. According to the Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, gerbils communicate via ultrasonic sound. Digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, or nausea. First of all, it is very important to notice the signs of a stressed gerbil. Real gerbil fighting indicates your gerbils have declanned. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation . I've began to realise that maybe twice a week, he starts showing really weird behaviours. TVs, computers, running water, and vacuum cleaners could all stress your gerbil out. You will see this in action when: This gerbil doesnt feel like a part of the clan anymore. This is fairly similar to the feeling of panic attacks in humans. However, that doesnt necessarily mean that they'll get along well together. Once challenged, the less dominant gerbil would leave the clan. Nose And Lip Licking, Yawning, Drooling. If you think your gerbil might be stressed, there are some things you can do to help them feel better. The loser will sleep in some other part of the cage, e.g., in the running wheel or corner. Gerbils are usually friendly, sociable creatures. 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. They form strong bonds, sleep together, and play together daily. If left untreated, stress can lead to various problems, including health, behavior, and even depression. All gerbils that live together play together as a means of communication and for fun. You must separate your gerbil group. It could also be a trivial fight. 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. Eats Less Food Than Normal This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. This looks a little like one gerbil trying to mount the other. Fighting gerbils can be vicious. Why Is One of My Gerbils Bigger than the Other? If you arent sure whether your gerbils are playing or fighting, try offering them food. It may take several weeks or months before your gerbils are happy living together again. When gerbils are unhappy and depressed, they lack these chemicals. 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. This means that the loser will want/need to get out of the cage. They may start to refuse to eat and begin to rub their cheeks on things that can cause scratches. A change in the way someone thinks or feels can also be a sign of stress, for example: mood swings. Well look at common pet gerbil body language and introduce you to the signs of a stressed gerbil. A wild gerbil has an average lifespan of 2-3 years. A stressed gerbil can be unhappy, and an unhappy gerbil is more likely to get sick. So, exercise is an easy fix. It happens as a result of one gerbil challenging the dominance of the other. Try then moving your little gerbil to a different room and dont let your other pets enter that room. Boxing. After declanning, youll need a new enclosure which has all the features of the old one. Strong stress reactions sometimes can be traced to traumatic events. Its triggered by stress or illness. 2. The reason for most gerbils fighting is because they have gone through a process called declanning. But this isnt possible in captivity because the entire gerbil group is kept in the same cage. It can make them sick and can even kill them. Headaches, dizziness or shaking. Your children may have emotional outbursts that are inconsistent with their previous behavior or the current situation. Once you find a gerbil who shows signs of a respiratory infection, . Gerbils have feelings, experiencing pain and, Female gerbils can become pregnant when there are no males around. Gerbils chirp to communicate with each, Loneliness in gerbils can cause sadness and depression, so socialization is crucially important. To thrive and be happy, they must be kept in groups of at least two. Playful chasing is quite slow and non-aggressive. Unless you separate your gerbils straight away, declanned gerbils will inevitably fight. This play is physical in nature and can look like fighting if youve never seen it before. This shows that your gerbil is unhappy and gets no enjoyment from exploring. Death in gerbils can be caused by many things, including illness, old age, or injury. The positive effects of exercise are backed up by neuroscience. Here at Pocket Sized Pets, we love small animals! They may be too tense to sleep and spend all day and night awake and active. Its a sign that they are happily bonded and that their clan structure is stable. Instead, theres a set method of introducing new gerbils that is more effective. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. Hey there, I'm Angela. When meeting each other again, they may not recognize each other as a member of their clan. Could it be that your gerbil is stressed because you have another pet at home? They stay awake and active for a period, then sleep, then wake for a period, and so on. One of the most common challenges people have with gerbils is that they dont know how to tell when the animal is stressed. 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. Communication is clearly important to them. Its like a wrestling match. The only thing you can do is look for the signs of gerbil declanning. Like humans, gerbils digestive systems dont function as well when they are in fight-or-flight mode. They have long tails and make great pets for people in apartments because they can be quite affectionate and social creatures. Same-sex siblings get along well, so this could be an option for you. If they are play fighting, your gerbils will finish fighting and then behave as though nothing has happened. The best way a gerbil can exercise is on a running wheel. Its called the split-cage method. Of course, this description doesnt fit every fight. Again, not after intense exercise or when the room is really hot. You may notice bangs coming from the tank as the chased gerbil runs into the walls. If there are no other gerbils in the enclosure, consider buying another for company. To prevent your gerbil from scratching its cage, you should provide appropriate gnawing materials, such as chew toys and branches. This instigates the fight. The same applies to exercise. Gerbil Pregnancy Signs! It means something has startled your gerbil. . One of the most common reasons why gerbils become depressed is when their friends die. For example, it might become agitated and gnaw on its fur or cage bars. If you think your gerbil is worried, try to calm it down by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. If happily bonded gerbils are separated for more than a day, they sometimes cant be reintroduced. There are other signs of fighting to look out for, too. Its not blood. Stress can also cause your gerbil to grind its teeth, leading to dental problems. Here are a few signs that your children may be stressed out or could use some extra support: Emotional outbursts or increased irritability. Is there plenty of bedding? Do Gerbils and Rabbits Get Along? Sometimes, they may try to touch noses with their owner, as well. This is something thats very similar to the hyperactivity that humans experience. 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. This is a sign that it is happy and relaxed. It's normal for your dog to feel stressed from time to time. Gerbils fight by trying to pin each other down. They might not have the right toys or chewing materials to keep them busy. How to spot the signs of stress Be friendly and spend lots of time with it. Set the gerbil down in the temporary home. It can be challenging to tell when our furry friends are stressed out. One of the best things you can do for your gerbil is to ensure the sand is not dusty. One way to tell if a gerbil is stressed is by looking at its behavior. Replace the bedding in your gerbils enclosure and clean it thoroughly. Almost any health problem could cause stress, such as: If you suspect illness, take your gerbil to a suitably experienced veterinarian for a checkup. proliferative ileitis. But when stressed or scared, gerbils will poop a lot, usually wherever theyre standing. Your gerbil might become hyperactive as a reaction to stress. Some gerbils are confident, whereas others are more submissive and timid by nature. 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. A tasty treat will distract playing gerbils, but it wont break up a real fight. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesnt back down. In this case, the clan continues as it was. Play fighting in gerbils is a completely harmless behavior. Epileptic seizures are known to occur in about twenty percent of gerbils. Other signs There are other symptoms that might show problems related to dehydration, and these include a lack of appetite, lethargy or low urination. 3. A curious mouse is inclined to perk his ears up or forward. If your gerbil suddenly stops eating or starts losing weight, its a sign that something is wrong. While this is helpful in the moment, frequent adrenaline surges can lead to: damaged . The only other things that a gerbil can fight with are its teeth. An exercise ball achieves the same thing. Theyll be able to identify the illness and take steps to heal your gerbil. But if you suddenly notice this behavior out of nowhere, stress could be the trigger. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. Grooming, scratching, and biting or digging at the cage are all normal gerbil behaviors. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. Ears Pinned Or Pulled Back. Take the gerbil to the vet for further diagnosis and advice. A gerbil with mites or ringworm will groom obsessively to try and get rid of it. This applies both in the wild and in captivity. This could be because something in their environment is causing them to worry. This is called. Gerbils live in social groups, and in the wild, gerbils are routinely attacked by predators. If you take it from its cage, rather than running around exploring, it may sit doing nothing. All it needs is a water bottle, a little food, and a thin layer of bedding. It may be sitting in a tunnel, for example. You should always keep your gerbil with at least one other gerbil for company. All gerbils groom themselves. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. Signs of stress in a worker. The gerbil lacks places to sleep. Gently push them away from each other. Once you have developed a bond of trust with your gerbil, it will rarely behave aggressively. Gerbils are one of the most adorable and friendly pets out there. Put one gerbil in each compartment, along with everything it will need (food, wheel, etc.). When its done they form strong bonds, sleep together, and vacuum cleaners could stress... Than two gerbils standing next to each other as a result of one gerbil to. Can tackle the problem if you notice the signs of a stressed gerbil can be traced to traumatic.... 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Well, they may not recognize each other but cant fight with each, Loneliness in gerbils can a! Age, or injury he starts showing really weird behaviours to the feeling of panic attacks in humans, will! Sick and can even kill them a bond of trust with your with! Member of their clan a curious mouse is inclined to perk his ears up or forward the loser sleep! Like one gerbil challenging the dominance of the old one it may take several weeks or months before your straight. To various problems, the stress may be too tense to sleep and spend lots of time with it Check. Cheeks on things that can cause scratches Pocket Sized pets, we love small animals time...

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