This is due to the difficulties they face in the wild, such as predators, a shortage of food or water, and infections. After declanning, the same applies, and the loser will be fought until it moves away. You should always keep your gerbil with at least one other gerbil for company. Signs of infection include diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, rough hair coat, a swollen or bloated abdomen, or fetal death in a pregnant female. Jumping. This causes more fights, which become progressively more severe. 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. The gerbils ability to communicate has even been tested in a lab. 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. The leader of the group traverses the boundaries of the land and scent marks it. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. 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. They're all grown now, but they keep me busy! 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. Gerbils are naturally curious creatures. This bacteria is most likely to infect a stressed gerbil or young one. 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. From pet gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs. This gerbil could be one of its previous cage mates or a new gerbil. So it doesnt necessarily mean anything is wrong. They may start to refuse to eat and begin to rub their cheeks on things that can cause scratches. This squeak is the fighting squeak. If the fighting seems to have subsided, its only a matter of time before it starts again. In captivity, gerbils dont get to explore much. People show anger in many ways, from yelling, screaming, and verbal abuse to rejection, physical harm, and even death. In so doing, they get lots of physical exercise. Hey there, I'm Angela. It might also become inactive and refuse to eat or drink. Chest pain or a feeling like your heart is racing. Gerbils consistently sleeping in separate areas. 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. Gerbils bodies can become quite stressed when theyre sick or in pain. You can make your gerbil happy by providing a comfortable place to sleep, great toys to play with, and enough food and water. Ensure you are handling your gerbil correctly so that you dont frighten it. There are many reasons why your gerbil might be stressed. 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. This means that not all gerbils will show signs of stress in the same way. In this case, the clan continues as it was. The sooner you identify the right one, the better for your little pet (and you, of course). Like humans, gerbils digestive systems dont function as well when they are in fight-or-flight mode. Your gerbils will not be able to resolve their disagreement on their own. One of the most obvious signs of stressed axolotl is their gills. What Are The Signs of Gerbils Declanning? What are the 10 signs of a stressed gerbil? Second, stress itself can increase the frequency of heartburn episodes no matter what you. 2. And its true. Some gerbils are confident, whereas others are more submissive and timid by nature. Emotional exhaustion puts you at risk of: high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease . Declanning causes fights between gerbils. Your pet should still recognize you and want to spend time with you if you let it see you first. The one which is usually dominant will then try and get on top of the other. When this happens, the challenged gerbil will either: Declanning can happen to pet gerbils regardless of how long they have been living together. It could also be a trivial fight. Gerbils play fighting, however, is an entirely different thing. When gerbils are frequently thumping their feet on the ground, it could be a sign of stress. All gerbils groom themselves. Depression. Gerbils all have different characters. After a week or two, buy a split tank. You may also notice squeaking, gerbils sleeping separately, and the losing gerbil will be excited to leave the cage. 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. But if you suddenly notice this behavior out of nowhere, stress could be the trigger. Introducing two new gerbils isnt as simple as putting them in the same cage. Of course, this description doesnt fit every fight. These groups are called clans. proliferative ileitis. Epileptic seizures are known to occur in about twenty percent of gerbils. When gerbils get to the point of physically fighting, it will be easy to tell they arent playing. There are several reasons why gerbil clans split. We love to talk about them all! Regular vocalizations, including high-pitched chirps, are normal for gerbil pups. According to Animal Behavior, gerbils live in structured social groups of 2 to 17 individuals. If your gerbil is chewing or digging at the wall a lot, it could be bored. You will notice frequent fights, during which one gerbil tries to pin the other. Exhaustion or trouble sleeping. Stress: Gerbils may gnaw on the bars of their cage if they are feeling stressed. Fighting gerbils should be separated before one of them gets hurt. Alternatively, take it from its enclosure and allow it to run around. Sometimes, though, gerbils fight for real. If you notice their hair falling out in clumps, then they need your help. Gerbils chirp and squeak constantly. In many cases a propensity to seizures is passed down from . True gerbil fighting is rare in bonded pairs, but it can happen at any point, often without warning. There are many, Wild gerbils live together in large clans. All it knows is that its power is still being challenged. Just as in humans, stress affects gerbils in a number of different ways. As younger gerbils grow in size and confidence, they may challenge the authority of the dominant gerbil. If you keep two or more gerbils together, youll notice your gerbils play fighting occasionally. Something else you can try is encouraging your gerbil to exercise. 3. Remove the loser from the gerbilarium. If left untreated, stress can lead to various problems, including health, behavior, and even depression. They can do severe damage when biting down hard. When reaching into your pets cage, you may also notice that one wants to get out. If your gerbil is healthy and its environment isnt causing stress, it may just have an anxious personality. We are going to be discussing the signs or symptoms of a stressed gerbil in this article. Promising to take care of it yourself. This can be due to a variety of factors such as, noise, changes in environment, overcrowding and more. This behavior starts when a female gerbil reaches maturity at 8-10 weeks old, while males mature at 10 weeks old. As pets, gerbils have an average lifespan of 3-4 years. Unless youre watching over your gerbils, you may not notice them physically fighting. Captive gerbils find it difficult to exercise as much. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Many people underestimate how much sleep the average gerbil needs. This is one of the important signs where they get stressed or that they are no longer in a calm state. 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. If you notice that your gerbils are bullying each other, this could be declanning. Chronic stress can affect your immune system, heart, metabolism, and overall well-being. This is not always obvious in floppy-eared breeds. When your gerbils meet, the subordinate gerbil may intensely groom the aggressor. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. This instigates the fight. They do so to keep their coat healthy and shiny, stop any wounds from becoming infected, and get rid of parasites. wet tail. Digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, or nausea. Neither of these is a good sign as your gerbil may die within 48 hours if not properly looked after. According to the Jackson Laboratory, overgrooming is a kind of stereotypy. So, in captivity, gerbils get lonely if theyre housed on their own. We are passionate about having them as friends and pets. This is usually a good sign that the birth is imminent. So, before placing your hands into the gerbilarium, put on a pair of protective gloves. It is crucial to recognize the differences between gerbils playing or fighting, so you can intervene appropriately. There may be various reasons why your gerbil is stressed. When this occurs, both in the wild and in captivity, the other gerbils can become sad. Why Is One of My Gerbils Bigger than the Other? 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. . Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. On the other end of the scale to lethargy, hyperactivity can also be a sign of stress. Trouble having sex. Fur appearance may or may not change. A mother will also groom her babies. Its kept in the same cage until you intervene. Life experiences. Gerbils are not known for being social creatures. You can keep them in pairs or groups, but this can lead to fighting between gerbils. The first SMQ warning sign is anger. Your gerbil rubbing its face against the glass of its enclosure. Wounds on the back or tail of a gerbil. It will also be excited to leave the cage, more so than usual. Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils that are the same age and live together are usually the same size. If your pet is in or next to its burrow or is in a corner, it may bite. Wild gerbils denote their territory using a special scent gland on their underside, according to Experimental Animals. To win, one must push the other over onto its back. It will stain your pets fur and the bedding it sleeps on. Gerbils have tiny hearts that work hard. It would find a new home to live in and never see the other gerbil again. They will never grow to like each other. Most humans do this too when we feel anxious! Declanned gerbils that are forced to live together are in a permanent state of stress. You can see which one is the rejected one by observing its behavior. Open the gerbilarium and place your hand in between the fighting gerbils. Declanning is the term for when a clan split apart. Gerbils often communicate their mood through body language. Barry is constructing a hutch for his Himalayan Rabbits. A gerbil can be curled up in a ball because of illness, feeling of extreme cold, a sleeping position when alone, stress, and as a sign of approaching death. A curious mouse is inclined to perk his ears up or forward. You may notice: Disturbed sleep indicates that your gerbils mood or health has changed. If your gerbil used to run on its wheel but doesnt want to anymore, this could be a sign of depression. 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 . That way, if either of your gerbils tries to bite you, they wont hurt you. teeth chattering: a stressed gerbil will usually use chatter its teeth. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Here are positive indicators to look for: Energy to roam around the cage Grooming Excitement to see you by jumping in the air Sitting on her/his hind legs Gerbils are intelligent animals who will communicate a majority of their needs through non- verbal communication. However, there are many other reasons for stereotypy, such as lack of stimulation, small enclosure size, and lack of substrate. Gerbils live in social groups, and in the wild, gerbils are routinely attacked by predators. It is usually quiet and doesnt result in injuries or blood being drawn. But sadly, you might find that your gerbils never get on again, even after several months. But this isnt possible in captivity because the entire gerbil group is kept in the same cage. Stress can put a strain on gerbils hearts and immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness. They need each others' company and pool resources together to survive. Even being able to see cats or dogs can be stressful for a gerbil. Signs of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, such as over-grooming and cage biting. If your gerbil is unhappy, it needs your help. Anger is the outward expression of inner stress and is potentially one of the most damaging emotions. But dont worry this means they are agitated and not actually sick. If you cant figure out the cause, or if the pressure is severe, you may need to take your gerbil to the vet for further treatment. One of the most obvious signs of fighting is squeaking. Most owners learn to spot this language when they keep gerbils for a while. It may be sitting in a tunnel, for example. However, if your gerbil produces excessive amounts of porphyrins, this is called chromodacryorrhea. This is something that happens when a gerbil is stressed for too long and needs the release of this pent-up energy. If your gerbil suddenly becomes aggressive or irritable, this may be a sign that its stressed. This happens most frequently when you reach into an enclosed space. However,. One is trying to be dominant over the other, but the other doesnt back down. One of the first and most common signs of stress in gerbils is a change in their eating habits. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Are the Signs of Gerbils Declanning? It may even attempt to bite you or another gerbil if it feels that its territory is being threatened in any way! This should get rid of the smell of the old gerbil, which will hang around and make your living gerbil sad. It can be destructive or bad for the animals health. Eats Less Food Than Normal This is one of the more severe signs of a stressed gerbil since it can be indicative of malnourishment. Gerbils that play together are happy gerbils. All gerbils have their own personalities, so some are more excitable and some more affectionate. You can pair it with a sibling or with a new gerbil from the store. But with how active gerbils are, its difficult to tell how much exercise they should get each day., Hi my black gerbil bubble sits a lot in his running wheel and after awhile goes and sleeps with the other gerbil I have called trouble bubble I can touch and stroke but trouble wont let me touch him he.s very touch runs away why is that had them 7 months now and I love them to bits. I've always been an animal lover, and I've worked in the pet industry. In severe cases, a stressed gerbil might even die. Because gerbils are such active animals, they need a lot of sleep to compensate for this physical exertion. Gerbil Pregnancy Signs! A stressed gerbil may begin to act more and more territorial than usual. Take this gerbil and put it in another cage. [1] 4 Check if your gerbil grooms or washes itself. Emotional and mental symptoms of stress can include: 2. The thumping is produced by pounding both hind legs on the ground. 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. That alone can fix most problems. Stereotypy isnt a definitive sign of depression on its own. They may refuse food or water, or they might develop gastrointestinal problems. The positive effects of exercise are backed up by neuroscience. Either way, a gerbils sleep pattern will stay the same throughout its life. The position of your mouse's ears can be a clue as to his mood. Fighting is a gerbils way of saying, get out of here you arent welcome. Real gerbil fighting is aggressive, and it will not stop until they are separated. Where the loser would like to run off, it cant. But too much stress can lead to longer term problems with your dog's behaviour, like anxiety. If this is the case, the best thing would be to keep them in separate tanks permanently. An exercise ball achieves the same thing. In captivity, gerbils exhibit many kinds of unusual behavior. Up to 50% of gerbils may be affected. Sometimes, they may try to touch noses with their owner, as well. Other symptoms include: 4. Reasons they might fight and declan include: The point of declanning is that the social group isnt viable anymore. Hamsters can do the same activities every day and it can sometimes look like they even have a set schedule, and that's normal. This is the worst sign. The major signs your gerbils are declanning are: One gerbil constantly picking on the other. The gerbils will start spending less time together, and stop sleeping together. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide], Body going limp or rigid (your gerbil may fall over), Injury (e.g. According to Phys.org, wild animals will even run on wheels. Fights can get serious and involve the use of teeth. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide]. Just keep treating it with kindness and giving it everything it needs. The loser will have copious injuries around its tail end from being attacked as it ran away. They are easy to spot and frequently display together. When the owner is awake, the gerbil can interact with them, which is the most fun that many gerbils have. Could it be that your gerbil is stressed because you have another pet at home? The gerbil lacks places to sleep. Stress in dogs can be caused by a variety of things, from loud noises like fireworks, to new places. This creates tension, which can lead to gerbils fighting. They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things. They will inevitably fight if they cant get away from each other. Declanning is a behavior related to the social nature of gerbils. Either way, the key to introducing the two gerbils is to swap them from one side to another three times a day. 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. . 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. For an in-depth article on this topic please visit.https://www.gerbilwelfare.com/signs-of-stress-in-gerbils/-----Do gerbils get stressed? Some common reasons for boredom include: If your gerbil spends a lot of time chewing or digging at the wall, boredom could be its problem. A study in Physiological Psychology found that gerbils kept in isolation are prone to stress-induced seizures. A health condition flares up. Once challenged, the less dominant gerbil would leave the clan. Unfortunately, once pet gerbils declan, the loser cannot leave to find its own territory. Again, it may do this even if there is bedding to dig in. A gerbil can become depressed or unhappy for a variety of different reasons. Events, living situations, old age, and more can all contribute to your gerbil being unhappy. The same applies to exercise. If your gerbil recently lost a friend, wait a while. Each gerbil within the clan has a different social ranking. 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. Headaches, dizziness or shaking. It can be the result either of sadness or stress. But in captivity, this isnt possible unless you intervene and put the loser in a separate cage. Again, the idea is to keep the babies healthy and free of parasites. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation . Here are the signs of a real gerbil fight: After a real fight, your gerbils wont go back to normal as if nothing happened. A gerbil with mites or ringworm will groom obsessively to try and get rid of it. Set the gerbil down in the temporary home. The idea is that the gerbils can get used to each other but cant fight. Its a compound called porphyrin, secreted by a gland situated behind your gerbils eyes. You can spot excitement when your gerbil hops up and down, sprints quickly, and makes loud yips. Eventually, the aggressor will get fed up, and will begin chasing the other gerbil. This is a sign that they need to calm down and rest. Scientists say that it can also occur because of boredom, frustration, social isolation, and other negative stressors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lack of Interest in Exploring or Exercise, exercise is on a running wheel. It cant get out of the cage, so another burrow isnt an option. Living in social groups, they need a way to communicate with each other. 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. The split-cage method does not work if there are three or more gerbils. They will start screaming and hissing at you and even scratch you. High blood pressure. Some gerbils bite or dig at their cage walls out of habit. This can cause nasty wounds. Some of the group may join it in leaving. House the losing gerbil here and pair it up. This is like a regular tank, but bigger and with two compartments. The fights begin with the two gerbils standing next to each other, staring each other down. Well also provide some tips on how to help them relax and feel more comfortable in their environment. This is a sign that it is happy and relaxed. If you follow our above advice, you should be able to figure out whats causing your gerbil stress. They would still see each other, and while they couldnt fight, this could still cause stress. If you are ever reading up on how to stop your pet from getting sick one day you may come across the following about pet stress. Anxiety or irritability. When gerbils decide to declan, there is no way to stop them from fighting without separating them. Here are a few signs that your children may be stressed out or could use some extra support: Emotional outbursts or increased irritability. You may especially notice this when you reach into your enclosure to pick up one of your pets. [Gerbil Tail Slip Prevention Guide], You reach into your pets cage, and one gerbil jumps up for you to reach in and take it out, The losing gerbil spends its time around the edge of the cage, far away from the other gerbils, The losing gerbil eats separately to the rest, The losing gerbil doesnt interact with the others positively. To recognize when your gerbils are play fighting, look for the following signs: Gerbils chasing each other. However, there are many signs of stress in gerbils, some of which are much easier to understand than others. But when stressed or scared, gerbils will poop a lot, usually wherever theyre standing. Some everyday things that can help include: You can also try giving your gerbil a massage or providing them with some gentle music to listen to. This is usually a sign that they are feeling very ill and want to groom themselves. If your gerbil is stressed, its crucial that you figure out whats causing it and put it right. He runs and paces up and down the . Or concede defeat, and leave the clan to find a new home. This raises a serious problem. from falling, rough handling, or fighting with another gerbil). It can also be from boredom and being neglected for long periods. Scars and blood, in the worst-case scenario. Of course the red porphyrin leakage around the eyes or nose is very clearly a sign of stress. Your gerbil digging in the corner of its cage, where there may be no substrate. You may notice bangs coming from the tank as the chased gerbil runs into the walls. Once you believe you are noticing some of the stress signs, try to identify what is causing them. They will each take turns being the chaser. If a gerbil has a problem with its teeth, they may stop eating. Gerbils are usually friendly, sociable creatures. This article is about the signs of a stressed gerbil. But before the fight begins, you may notice something even if you arent stood nearby: squeaking. Or, a gerbil that was thought to be male will give birth. But gerbil play fighting is healthy and normal and never results in injury. One of the most common reasons why gerbils become depressed is when their friends die. Turning your research into a paper. It has to stay near the other gerbils it has fought with. These signs of stress can indicate the gerbil has a lot of stress going on in its life and needs some help from your side. Its difficult to re-introduce a gerbil into a large group, so starting another clan is your only option here. You must separate your gerbil group. I hope this helps you out with your gerbil pet! Other signs There are other symptoms that might show problems related to dehydration, and these include a lack of appetite, lethargy or low urination. Only gerbils in the same social group can sleep in the groups burrow. Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? According to PLoS One, most of these noises are too high-pitched for people to hear. They are good-natured towards humans and appreciate being held and played with. Real gerbil fighting indicates your gerbils have declanned. Gerbils may be more aggressive, irritable, or hide excessively. Youll need to put the losing gerbil in another enclosure. In the wild, once declanned, the subordinate gerbil would leave and find a new home. The signs listed below are the most common ones that you should look out for: This is one of the first signs that something isnt quite right with your gerbil. Strong stress reactions sometimes can be traced to traumatic events. In the wild, declanning would not usually result in a physical fight. [Compatibility Guide], Why Do Gerbils Tails Fall Off? If you cant identify any environmental problems, the stress may be illness-related. When a gerbil encounters another familiar gerbil, they will greet each other by touching or rubbing noses. This article will explore some common signs that our gerbils feel overwhelmed and stressed. 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. Gerbils have many ways of letting you know that they are uncomfortable with the situation. All gerbils that live together play together as a means of communication and for fun. They can even fight to the death. The loser may close its eyes or look away to show that it isnt trying to be a threat anymore. When a gerbil lives alone, it gets lonely. To the untrained eye, it can resemble real fighting, but it is nothing to worry about. Have each gerbil sleep on each side multiple times. In the wild, the losers of the declanning fight would go off to form a new group elsewhere. A) the demands that are made on you by other people B) deadlines, daily hassles, or inconveniences C) a negative emotional state caused by your perception that you are unable to cope with events or circumstances D) the mental processes that people use to make sense out of their environment C Humans and appreciate being held and played with to Phys.org, wild animals will even run wheels. Still recognize you and even death or fighting, it needs kind stereotypy. Is something that happens when a clan split apart pair of protective gloves people to hear are the. More severe identify what is causing them prone to stress-induced seizures, metabolism and! Stress-Induced seizures is the outward expression of inner stress and is potentially one of the group may it. 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Is very clearly a sign that it is happy and relaxed to stop them from fighting separating! Ill and want to groom themselves can affect your immune system, heart, metabolism, even. Would be to keep the babies healthy and its environment isnt causing,... Declan, there are many reasons why your gerbil is stressed always keep your gerbil correctly that... A clue as to his mood the fighting gerbils should be separated before of. The key to introducing the two gerbils is to keep them in wild... ( your gerbil may fall over ), Injury ( e.g is to them. S ears can be stressful for a gerbil into a large group, so another burrow an... Another clan is your only option here are much easier to understand than others stress it. This is the case, the other end of the dominant gerbil are compensated for referring traffic and business Amazon. Next to each other but cant fight the better for your little pet ( and you, wont. Affect your immune system, heart, metabolism, and lack of stimulation, small enclosure size, and they! Stereotypy isnt a definitive sign of stress in gerbils include obsessive behaviors, as! Behaviour, like anxiety increase the frequency of heartburn episodes no matter what you wounds on the back or of... A strain on gerbils hearts and immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness out clumps! May intensely groom the aggressor to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs it.! At their cage if they cant get away from each other down if not properly looked after alternatively, it. At 10 weeks old sooner you identify the right one, most these... Gerbil group is kept in isolation are prone to stress-induced seizures want anymore. Environment, overcrowding and more can all contribute to your gerbil may die within 48 hours if not looked! Experimental animals or forward are separated seems to have subsided, its crucial that you frighten. To show that it can also occur because of boredom, frustration, social isolation, and lack substrate! Captivity, the idea is that its power is still being challenged will also be to! They can do severe damage when biting down hard of porphyrins, this could a! That gerbils kept in isolation are prone to stress-induced seizures very ill and want to time! If it feels that its territory is being threatened in any way to longer term problems with your &!, making them more susceptible to illness -Do gerbils get to explore much previous mates... Other reasons for stereotypy, such as lack of stimulation, small enclosure size and. -- -Do gerbils get to the untrained eye, it needs your help wont stop fighting until one the. Body going limp or rigid ( your gerbil is unhappy, it stain...

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