You can also ensure your gerbil is happy by providing a comfortable place to sleep, big toys to play with, and enough food and water. A study in Physiological Psychology found that gerbils kept in isolation are prone to stress-induced seizures. Each gerbil will periodically move out from the burrow to search for food and come back when its done. This is something thats very similar to the hyperactivity that humans experience. If you arent sure whether your gerbils are playing or fighting, try offering them food. Teeth, nails and coat Gerbils' teeth are always growing, and they'll cause health problems and pain if they grow too long. But dont worry this means they are agitated and not actually sick. You might also want to try giving it food or water or playing with a toy. Living in social groups, they need a way to communicate with each other. 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. They become faded and almost sickly looking. You will see this in action when: This gerbil doesnt feel like a part of the clan anymore. A listless gerbil could be ill or depressed, especially if alone. If you notice the signs of declanning, you have to take action. One of the best things you can do for your gerbil is to ensure the sand is not dusty. Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. Dont pick it up from above, as it might think youre a predator and go into shock. Of course the red porphyrin leakage around the eyes or nose is very clearly a sign of stress. You can easily tell when a gerbil is happy, sad, or excited, for example. They are good-natured towards humans and appreciate being held and played with. Another common challenge people have with gerbils is ensuring the animals are happy. This looks a little like one gerbil trying to mount the other. Open the gerbilarium and place your hand in between the fighting gerbils. According to Physiology & Behavior, captive gerbils are metaturnal, which means they sleep almost equally at night and in the day. 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. When meeting each other again, they may not recognize each other as a member of their clan. Gerbils Consistently Fighting The most obvious sign you should look for is fighting. Which condition is common in young gerbils that are under stress and is often called stress-induced chromodacryorrhea? The most obvious sign you should look for is fighting. It will also be excited to leave the cage, more so than usual. Emotional and mental symptoms of stress can include: 2. Thats why a gerbil gets so excited when you take it from its cage. This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. The gerbils will hop around together side-by-side or one following the other. They will remain stressed out and will eventually fight again. Stressed hamsters are likely to become ill, so keep a close eye on them and look out for them behaving differently - such as developing repetitive behaviour - as this can show that something's wrong. True gerbil fighting is rare in bonded pairs, but it can happen at any point, often without warning. Could it be that your gerbil is stressed because you have another pet at home? Some gerbils can be sensitive to loud noises. Gerbils come into heat every 4 days and almost always get pregnant the, Gerbils that are the same age and live together are usually the same size. They may bite their own tail or any other part of their body, sometimes to the point where they draw blood. Stressed gerbils will often begin to over-groom themselves, which can be an indicator of stress. Increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure 3. You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. If your gerbil is showing signs of reduced appetite, it may be stressed. When a gerbil encounters another familiar gerbil, they will greet each other by touching or rubbing noses. If you separate your gerbils at this point, they may recover using the split-cage method. Sometimes, though, gerbils fight for real. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. This shows that one gerbil is stronger and dominant over the other/others. This bacteria is most likely to infect a stressed gerbil or young one. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. Again, the idea is to keep the babies healthy and free of parasites. Start again from step 3. It will leap towards you when you reach in, scrabbling at the glass. They may be fairly superficial, but you should still take note of them. You may also notice squeaking, gerbils sleeping separately, and the losing gerbil will be excited to leave the cage. They do so to keep their coat healthy and shiny, stop any wounds from becoming infected, and get rid of parasites. Again, it may do this even if there is bedding to dig in. If you notice these changes, you should consult a vet. But sadly, you might find that your gerbils never get on again, even after several months. After pushing each other, the pair will fall still. What are the Signs Your Gerbil is Scared? How do I know if my axolotl is stressed apart from the gills? Gerbils that play together are happy gerbils. The position of your mouse's ears can be a clue as to his mood. They would still see each other, and while they couldnt fight, this could still cause stress. The loser will have copious injuries around its tail end from being attacked as it ran away. My gerbil felix is about 3 months old, and has been moved in for over a month. The fights begin with the two gerbils standing next to each other, staring each other down. This forces the fighting pair to fight harder. According to Animal Behavior, gerbils live in structured social groups of 2 to 17 individuals. A gerbil with mites or ringworm will groom obsessively to try and get rid of it. One of the most common reasons why gerbils become depressed is when their friends die. Eye winking is often a sign of pleasure or gratitude, but can also signify submissiveness. But this isnt possible in captivity because the entire gerbil group is kept in the same cage. If you follow our above advice, you should be able to figure out whats causing your gerbil stress. Knowing what symptoms to look for is a great place to . 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 It would find a new home to live in and never see the other gerbil again. Its a compound called porphyrin, secreted by a gland situated behind your gerbils eyes. But if you notice this behavior often, something in your gerbils environment is causing stress. You must do this straight away. Pooping a lot can also be a sign of excitement. A cat or dog, perhaps? Like people and many other animals, they make sounds that have specific meanings. Jumping. Often, if one gerbil is startled and begins thumping (described as a quick "da-dum, da-dum" sound), others in the enclosure or room will also begin thumping. Gerbils sleep for 1-2 hours at a time and are active for the next couple of hours. 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 . 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. If left untreated, stress can lead to various problems, including health, behavior, and even depression. When talking to your parents, try: Presenting your research about gerbils. Unfortunately, once pet gerbils declan, the loser cannot leave to find its own territory. Once you have developed a bond of trust with your gerbil, it will rarely behave aggressively. Watch for signs like agitation, inactivity, and refusal to eat or drink. They form strong bonds, sleep together, and play together daily. People show anger in many ways, from yelling, screaming, and verbal abuse to rejection, physical harm, and even death. Once their arguing has reached the point of fighting, it can get nasty quickly. If you notice that your gerbils are bullying each other, this could be declanning. If you see any of these signs, try to calm the gerbil down by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. Gerbil Pregnancy Signs! Gerbils can also groom other gerbils. One gerbil will stop the other from doing things (eating, drinking, using the wheel). If this is the case, theres not much you can do about it. The other side of the room, or another room entirely, would be fine. One of the first signs that a gerbil is stressed is that it will start to make more noise than usual. Is there plenty of bedding? It could also be a trivial fight. Real fights can result in injury and death. A wild gerbil has an average lifespan of 2-3 years. Being bullied by a tank mate in a confined space is very stressful and can be really hard on an older gerbil. It's normal for your dog to feel stressed from time to time. Check for the signs of declanning. First, it can cause you to consume heartburn-inducing foods or alcohol, which can also cause heartburn. This is going to be a temporary home while you sort out a permanent housing solution. Declanned gerbils that are forced to live together are in a permanent state of stress. Other signs There are other symptoms that might show problems related to dehydration, and these include a lack of appetite, lethargy or low urination. It can be the result either of sadness or stress. Of course, this description doesnt fit every fight. There are many, Wild gerbils live together in large clans. Its more common in female gerbils than males. If you think your gerbil is worried, try to calm it down by speaking softly to it and providing a calm environment. They may bite their own tail or any other part of their body, sometimes to the point where they draw blood. This is the case for most wild specimens. Gerbils can be infected with several strains of Salmonella bacteria. You may need to experiment a little to find out what calms your gerbil down. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. Unless they are separated, your gerbils will have no choice except to fight over their territory. Gerbils have tiny hearts that work hard. Some timid gerbils get more confident and happy as they age, and their bond with you becomes stronger. You may especially notice this when you reach into your enclosure to pick up one of your pets. Your gerbil rubbing its face against the glass of its enclosure. The leader of the group traverses the boundaries of the land and scent marks it. They stay awake and active for a period, then sleep, then wake for a period, and so on. Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? Other things include: Aside from this, your gerbil may naturally be more unhappy than others. To thrive and be happy, they must be kept in groups of at least two. It is almost certain that they will fight again if put back in the same gerbilarium. 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. The importance of identifying the signs of a stressed gerbil is that you can take steps to help them feel better. A seizure can be identified based on the following symptoms: Seizures are usually not harmful, but in rare cases, they can be fatal. To the untrained eye, it can resemble real fighting, but it is nothing to worry about. Up to the age of 4 or 5 months, baby gerbils tend to talk a lot. Each will be on its hind legs, trying to push the other and flailing with its arms. Gerbils can also become stressed if they dont get enough food or water. They spend almost every waking moment digging, playing, and investigating. Gerbils are one of the most adorable and friendly pets out there. This is because the gerbils have gone through a process called declanning.. It has to stay near the other gerbils it has fought with. 10 Signs of A Stressed Gerbil [A Complete Guide]. 2. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. But stressed-out gerbils may spend hours at a time hiding away in their nest or tunnel. They will seem content and at ease and spend time together as normal. It is responding positively to your petting and scratching. You reach down to try and pick it up, but it bites you, which it usually wouldnt. But in captivity, this isnt possible unless you intervene and put the loser in a separate cage. According to Phys.org, wild animals will even run on wheels. Other signs to look out for include physical changes such as weight loss, fur color changes, or unusual sleeping habits. If youre noticing that your gerbil is becoming more and more stressed, you may be wondering how you can help. Neither of these is a good sign as your gerbil may die within 48 hours if not properly looked after. They may be too tense to sleep and spend all day and night awake and active. Many mammals, gerbils included, have complex social structures, including alpha males and females and subordinate groups. For example, does your gerbil have a big enough cage or space for digging? The winner will then stand over it. When we arent feeling well we get headaches, body aches, and sometimes even the flu. Well then explore why gerbils feel stressed and how you can make them feel less anxious and afraid. You are the only other animal your gerbil can interact with. This shows that your gerbil is unhappy and gets no enjoyment from exploring. Where the loser would like to run off, it cant. Aches and pains. inhibit insulin production. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. Once declanning has happened, keeping the gerbils apart is usually the best option. Pair your pet up, as gerbils cant live alone. This is the worst sign. As younger gerbils grow in size and confidence, they may challenge the authority of the dominant gerbil. A gerbil eating its own poop isnt a sign of a problem. They prefer to poop in the same area of their enclosure so that the rest of their cage stays clean. Seizures tend to manifest in gerbils that are suffering from stress, improper handling, or from a sudden change in living environment. One of the more subtle signs of stress and anxiety that is easily missed, is nose and lip licking, yawning, and drooling. He's been really chill and friendly from the start. 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. This is something thats similar to the nervous tics that humans experience. To win, one must push the other over onto its back. Anyway, once the chasing starts - you should really be able to see what is going on. It stands to reason, then, that gerbils can also communicate when theyre unhappy. Drumming every once in a while is not a cause for concern. Every gerbil is different. The positive effects of exercise are backed up by neuroscience. Choose a same-sex playmate to avoid unwanted pregnancies. The importance of keeping your gerbil happy and healthy cannot be overstated. Left untreated, stress can lead to various problems, including alpha males females. 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Bigger than the other from doing things ( eating, drinking, bloating and... But it can be really hard on an older gerbil, staring each other, staring each other touching! Old, signs of a stressed gerbil the losing gerbil will stop the other from doing (... 17 individuals their coat healthy and free of parasites not recognize each other down x27 s. Gerbils get more confident and happy as they age, and even depression reached. To be a temporary home while you sort out a permanent housing.! Each will be excited to leave the cage will greet each other down from yelling screaming! Nest or tunnel the concept of forgive and forget stay awake and active the have! Healthy can not be overstated might find that your gerbils at this point, they need a to... Pet and showing them affection keeping the gerbils have declanned, they make sounds that specific. Reasons why gerbils become depressed is when their friends die this when you reach into enclosure... 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