Whereas, before, your pet was excited to get out, now it seems it cant wait to escape. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils that are the same age and live together are usually the same size. Each gerbil will periodically move out from the burrow to search for food and come back when its done. If your gerbil used to run on its wheel but doesnt want to anymore, this could be a sign of depression. If your gerbil is sleeping or resting far more than this, something may be wrong. 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. Increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure 3. It must change. This can be due to a variety of factors such as, noise, changes in environment, overcrowding and more. You should always keep your gerbil with at least one other gerbil for company. Drumming every once in a while is not a cause for concern. Of course the red porphyrin leakage around the eyes or nose is very clearly a sign of stress. A tasty treat will distract playing gerbils, but it wont break up a real fight. Gerbils consistently sleeping in separate areas. If you think your gerbil is dying, acting fast is essential. Gerbils all have different characters. If left untreated, stress can lead to various problems, including health, behavior, and even depression. Other signs of stress could be excessive scratching, a lack of appetite, fights, any kind of aggressive behavior, illness, or any kind of unusual behavior. For example, they wont be able to eat, refuse to drink water, and so on. Your gerbil rubbing its face against the glass of its enclosure. Nose And Lip Licking, Yawning, Drooling. Sometimes, they may try to touch noses with their owner, as well. Declanning is the term for when a clan split apart. You reach down to try and pick it up, but it bites you, which it usually wouldnt. I hope this helps you out with your gerbil pet! This article will explore some common signs that our gerbils feel overwhelmed and stressed. 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. It will stain your pets fur and the bedding it sleeps on. According to the Acoustical Society of America, this is an alarm signal designed to warn other gerbils of approaching predators. During the day, expect to see healthy hamsters sleeping; healthy gerbils may or may not be running around. Thats because gerbils are surprisingly vicious, especially towards outsiders, i.e., gerbils that are strangers. The signs of a depressed gerbil include lack of activity, too much sleep, bar chewing, and floor scratching. Knowing what symptoms to look for is a great place to . After declanning, the same applies, and the loser will be fought until it moves away. If you notice their hair falling out in clumps, then they need your help. This is especially the case for gerbils which are part of a breeding pair. Could it be that your gerbil is stressed because you have another pet at home? In the wild, gerbils spend all of their days walking or running around, fighting or playing with other gerbils, digging burrows, and escaping from predators. Your children may have emotional outbursts that are inconsistent with their previous behavior or the current situation. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. How to spot the signs of stress Transmission of the bacteria occurs when the gerbil's food or bedding is contaminated by insects or wild rodents. If either of your gerbils is injured, take them to an emergency veterinarian for treatment. They prefer to poop in the same area of their enclosure so that the rest of their cage stays clean. It varies in loudness and . I love animals, and I have three beautiful boys. Strong stress reactions sometimes can be traced to traumatic events. This is like a regular tank, but bigger and with two compartments. Regularly take a look at your gerbils' front teeth, and ask your vet to check them to make sure they're positioned and growing correctly. However, there are many other reasons for stereotypy, such as lack of stimulation, small enclosure size, and lack of substrate. Sometimes, though, gerbils fight for real. A clear indicator of stress in one gerbil may be normal behavior for another. inhibit insulin production. Declanning is a behavior related to the social nature of gerbils. Be friendly and spend lots of time with it. You may notice them running around in circles, but when you look closer youll see that their tails are stuck on the ground or something right behind their backs, hence why they think the room is spinning! Some of the group may join it in leaving. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Many people underestimate how much sleep the average gerbil needs. If you arent sure whether your gerbils are playing or fighting, try offering them food. It can be destructive or bad for the animals health. Gerbils are one of the most adorable and friendly pets out there. As pets, gerbils have an average lifespan of 3-4 years. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology. They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things. 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. One of the most common reasons why gerbils become depressed is when their friends die. According to the Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, gerbils communicate via ultrasonic sound. Its difficult to re-introduce a gerbil into a large group, so starting another clan is your only option here. But too much stress can lead to longer term problems with your dog's behaviour, like anxiety. We are going to be discussing the signs or symptoms of a stressed gerbil in this article. Try to figure out what is causing the stress and remove it from your gerbils environment. All of these things will make your gerbil feel less alone. It can also be from boredom and being neglected for long periods. How to Spot Neglect. But if you notice this behavior often, something in your gerbils environment is causing stress. Keeping your pet gerbils healthy and safe is the number one responsibility you have as a pet owner. Emotional and mental symptoms of stress can include: 2. If you dont tear them apart, the two could kill each other. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse,, Youve probably seen your gerbils grooming each other from time to time. This is something thats similar to the nervous tics that humans experience. They all relate to changes in the existing social structure. Reasons for Stressed Gerbils. This can cause nasty wounds. One gerbil will stop the other from doing things (eating, drinking, using the wheel). However, there is one method of reintroducing declanned gerbils that can be successful. You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. Up to the age of 4 or 5 months, baby gerbils tend to talk a lot. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. Because this isnt possible in captivity, it makes the aggressor angry. Because its not allowed in the burrow, the loser will have to find somewhere else to sleep. It's so rewarding to help pets look and feel their best. How do I know if my axolotl is stressed apart from the gills? It can make them sick and can even kill them. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils are social creatures that shouldn't live alone. Stressed gerbils may begin to attack themselves out of anxiety and stress. 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. All gerbils groom themselves. Or, a gerbil that was thought to be male will give birth. If your gerbil suddenly becomes aggressive or irritable, this may be a sign that its stressed. A gerbil eating its own poop isnt a sign of a problem. However, there are many signs of stress in gerbils, some of which are much easier to understand than others. Its most concerning if this behavior persists over several days. If you take it from its cage, rather than running around exploring, it may sit doing nothing. The gerbil lacks places to sleep. You may see your gerbil appearing to wink at you. If you think thats the case, try bodging yours with another gerbil. proliferative ileitis. Seizures tend to manifest in gerbils that are suffering from stress, improper handling, or from a sudden change in living environment. The gerbils entire life revolves around 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 . In captivity, gerbils dont get to explore much. But if one becomes depressed, its sleep pattern might change. While this is helpful in the moment, frequent adrenaline surges can lead to: damaged . Look for the other signs of unhappiness that may occur alongside this one. It results in: Overgrooming can occur both because of stereotypy and because of parasites. Exhaustion or trouble sleeping. The two gerbils that are about to fight will try to intimidate each other with loud noises to win the fight before it starts. Its essential to tell when a gerbil is stressed, so you can take steps to calm it down. Gently push them away from each other. Happy, relaxed gerbils are usually confident in their environment. In the wild, declanning would not usually result in a physical fight. The dominate gerbil aggressively chasing the other. You want to do your best to help your gerbil to calm down and only take it to a vet when you think you cant help. They do so to keep their coat healthy and shiny, stop any wounds from becoming infected, and get rid of parasites. Once your gerbil reaches adulthood, it wont make as many noises anymore. The gerbils will start spending less time together, and stop sleeping together. This creates tension, which can lead to gerbils fighting. Gerbils are not known for being social creatures. Gerbils are usually well-behaved when it comes to their toilet habits. This is where they rapidly stomp the ground with their back feet. Wounds on the back or tail of a gerbil. Something else you can try is encouraging your gerbil to exercise. So, make sure youre topping up your gerbils bowl and water bottle every day. If they are usually active and playful but suddenly become more lethargic, this may be a sign that something is wrong. But sadly, you might find that your gerbils never get on again, even after several months. All the gerbils sleep in the burrow together to preserve warmth and to stay protected. Theyre stuck in tiny enclosures. This would be the time to make an appointment with the vet! For those not familiar with a gerbil, they are small mammals from the rodent family and come from Asia. Instinctually, it doesnt understand why the other gerbil cant get away. Real gerbil fighting is rare, but it can be dangerous if you dont intervene. The other side of the room, or another room entirely, would be fine. Stereotypy isnt a definitive sign of depression on its own. 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. 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. Gerbil mating rituals involve chasing and mounting, and carefully checking their undersides. Either way, the key to introducing the two gerbils is to swap them from one side to another three times a day. When your gerbil is stressed out, it will likely develop more anxiety than usual. 3. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. So, before placing your hands into the gerbilarium, put on a pair of protective gloves. Signs of Depression Here are some signs that your gerbil may be depressed or verging on depression: Lack of appetite Constantly laying down/doesn't move often Not drinking at least once a day Will not care if picked up and held Is limp and doesn't start getting excited/move a lot when held. Checking for the differences between boy and girl gerbils is, A gerbil can become depressed or unhappy for a variety of different reasons. 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. Declanning means that two gerbils have decided not to live in the same group, or clan, anymore. It will leap towards you when you reach in, scrabbling at the glass. A gerbil that isnt part of a clan wont live in that clans territory. Obsessive behaviors are not always a sign of stress. Either way, a gerbils sleep pattern will stay the same throughout its life. Headaches, dizziness, or shaking. . Along with this, extreme stress may cause seizures (fits) or strokes. 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. They would still see each other, and while they couldnt fight, this could still cause stress. This is the worst sign. Fur appearance may or may not change. Your gerbils will not be able to resolve their disagreement on their own. Turning your research into a paper. You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. Other common signs of stress in gerbils include: Hiding or isolating themselves from other gerbils Shaking or trembling Biting or chewing on cage bars Excessive grooming (which can lead to hair loss) Lethargy or depression If you notice any of these signs in your gerbil, it's essential to take action to help them relax and feel more comfortable. Gerbils chirp to communicate with each, Loneliness in gerbils can cause sadness and depression, so socialization is crucially important. This instigates the fight. Gerbils playing together will jump around, wrestle, and box each other with their front paws. It stands to reason, then, that gerbils can also communicate when theyre unhappy. All it knows is that its power is still being challenged. Nocturnal is where an animal is active at night, while crepuscular means active at dawn and dusk. You can also make your own split cage easily enough. When they are not play fighting, they will exhibit friendly behaviors such as sleeping together and grooming each other. Anxiety or irritability. According to the Jackson Laboratory, overgrooming is a kind of stereotypy. Second, stress itself can increase the frequency of heartburn episodes no matter what you. Promising to take care of it yourself. The best way a gerbil can exercise is on a running wheel. Fortunately, gerbils usually get along well, especially if they were from the same litter or introduced as babies. They may refuse food or water, or they might develop gastrointestinal problems. So, exercise is an easy fix. Sleeping separately is the most obvious sign. The position of your mouse's ears can be a clue as to his mood. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. Unless you separate your gerbils straight away, declanned gerbils will inevitably fight. Assert its dominance, and maintain its position as the top gerbil. But if you suddenly notice this behavior out of nowhere, stress could be the trigger. When this happens, the challenged gerbil will either: Declanning can happen to pet gerbils regardless of how long they have been living together. This is normal behavior and completely harmless. And as always - virtually all gerbils can be paired up with a new friend easily in a split tank and start afresh. As cute as hamsters are, its a bit of a challenge to get them to trust you. Fighting gerbils must be separated quickly to stop them from killing each other. 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. Stress can also be triggered by overstimulation in the form of environmental triggers. So we must do everything we can to help our gerbils relax and feel comfortable in their home. You can spot excitement when your gerbil hops up and down, sprints quickly, and makes loud yips. Some folks will be aware of obvious signs. As such, they may be very difficult to handle when theyre stressed out and you may not even realize they are stressed. 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. They will seem on-edge and nervous most of the time. Same-sex siblings get along well, so this could be an option for you. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesnt back down. The winner will then stand over it. You may notice: Disturbed sleep indicates that your gerbils mood or health has changed. However, its not uncommon for one gerbil to grow bigger than the other. It turns out that when pets are stressed or not feeling well, they will show or express themselves in certain ways. The thumping is produced by pounding both hind legs on the ground. Stomach or digestive problems. This bacteria is most likely to infect a stressed gerbil or young one. The positive effects of exercise are backed up by neuroscience. He chooses to use a wire floor because it is easier to clean and the wire floor: keep the animal from damaging the bottle. stress, or an infection. A health condition flares up. 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