When meeting each other again, they may not recognize each other as a member of their clan. Its called the split-cage method. The loser will sleep in some other part of the cage, e.g., in the running wheel or corner. This is fairly similar to the feeling of panic attacks in humans. As pets, gerbils have an average lifespan of 3-4 years. It might also become inactive and refuse to eat or drink. If any gerbil that is not part of the clan tries to trespass, it will chase them away. Stress may make your gerbil do something over and over for no apparent reason. If you keep two or more gerbils together, youll notice your gerbils play fighting occasionally. Whereas normally, your pet would be happy to see you, now its defensive and nippy. In the past couple of weeks he started biting, which thankfully he got over quickly. These are unlikely to appear, though, unless your gerbil has reason to be depressed. This is a symptom of keeping your gerbils in captivity. 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. 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. You can keep them in pairs or groups, but this can lead to fighting between gerbils. What are the Signs Your Gerbil is Scared? You can help a depressed gerbil to recover by spending time with your pet and showing them affection. Eventually, the aggressor will get fed up, and will begin chasing the other gerbil. Loud squeaks are a sign of threats and fighting. Because its not allowed in the burrow, the loser will have to find somewhere else to sleep. You can spot excitement when your gerbil hops up and down, sprints quickly, and makes loud yips. The most obvious sign you should look for is fighting. Weak immune system. Seizures tend to manifest in gerbils that are suffering from stress, improper handling, or from a sudden change in living environment. Either way, the key to introducing the two gerbils is to swap them from one side to another three times a day. Again, it may do this even if there is bedding to dig in. If you notice their hair falling out in clumps, then they need your help. This article is about the signs of a stressed gerbil. This is something that happens when a gerbil is stressed for too long and needs the release of this pent-up energy. Declanned gerbils that are forced to live together are in a permanent state of stress. Up to 50% of gerbils may be affected. The two gerbils that are about to fight will try to intimidate each other with loud noises to win the fight before it starts. Aside from that, treat your pet well and respect it. Keeping your pet gerbils healthy and safe is the number one responsibility you have as a pet owner. A seizure can be identified based on the following symptoms: Seizures are usually not harmful, but in rare cases, they can be fatal. The gerbils entire life revolves around you. They may constantly try to escape from their gerbilarium or run around in circles. Gerbils are not known for being social creatures. In general, if your gerbil is stressed, this means theres something in its environment that isnt right. Look for the other signs of unhappiness that may occur alongside this one. If you think your gerbil might be stressed, there are some things you can do to help them feel better. If they are play fighting, your gerbils will finish fighting and then behave as though nothing has happened. arrive for work later. Gerbils become unhappy when other gerbils die if their enclosure is small or theyre stressed. If you cant feed it, for example, it wont have any food. Wh. teeth chattering: a stressed gerbil will usually use chatter its teeth. They form strong bonds, sleep together, and play together daily. It looks like theyre licking or nibbling at each others fur. Obsessive behaviors are not always a sign of stress. They enjoy exploring new places and finding new things. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Are the Signs of Gerbils Declanning? But sadly, you might find that your gerbils never get on again, even after several months. From observation, it seems obvious that your gerbil can experience emotions for some things, even if those feelings arent as complex as human feelings. Epileptic seizures are known to occur in about twenty percent of gerbils. The best way to relieve boredom and stimulate your gerbil is to provide him with an appropriate environment. So, if you leave your pet alone, it will go stir-crazy. . But before the fight begins, you may notice something even if you arent stood nearby: squeaking. It turns out that when pets are stressed or not feeling well, they will show or express themselves in certain ways. All gerbils groom themselves. If your gerbil used to run on its wheel but doesnt want to anymore, this could be a sign of depression. After pushing each other, the pair will fall still. And its true. First, it can cause you to consume heartburn-inducing foods or alcohol, which can also cause heartburn. This means that not all gerbils will show signs of stress in the same way. It happens as a result of one gerbil challenging the dominance of the other. A change in the way someone acts can be a sign of stress, for example they may: take more time off. Wounds on the back or tail of a gerbil. Shows Territorialism and Bites You or Other Gerbils. Some timid gerbils get more confident and happy as they age, and their bond with you becomes stronger. Unfortunately, many wild gerbils will die in the span of a few months of being born. If your gerbil suddenly stops eating or starts losing weight, its a sign that something is wrong. The more gerbils there are in the clan, the more likely it is to happen. Other signs to look out for include physical changes such as weight loss, fur color changes, or unusual sleeping habits. 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. From pet gerbils to hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs. Is there plenty of bedding? Declanning is the term for when a clan split apart. You can then fix whatever the problem is. Each will be on its hind legs, trying to push the other and flailing with its arms. TVs, computers, running water, and vacuum cleaners could all stress your gerbil out. Neither of these is a good sign as your gerbil may die within 48 hours if not properly looked after. Even being able to see cats or dogs can be stressful for a gerbil. Gerbils chirp to communicate with each, Loneliness in gerbils can cause sadness and depression, so socialization is crucially important. Its a hereditary trait that runs in families. Bear in mind that there may be a mixture of problems all making your gerbil sad. Gerbils can be quite quiet when they fight. If your gerbil is unhappy, it needs your help. [1] 4 Check if your gerbil grooms or washes itself. True gerbil fighting is rare in bonded pairs, but it can happen at any point, often without warning. A curious mouse is inclined to perk his ears up or forward. Knowing what symptoms to look for is a great place to . Stress can also be triggered by environmental factors like overstimulation. Gerbils are meant to be kept in pairs and need a buddy to be happy. Perhaps: You have trouble getting to sleep or wake up very early. The thumping is produced by pounding both hind legs on the ground. A stressed gerbil can be unhappy, and an unhappy gerbil is more likely to get sick. Gerbils chirp and squeak constantly. A breeding pair will groom one another, for example, to strengthen their bond. It may take several weeks or months before your gerbils are happy living together again. Living in social groups, they need a way to communicate with each other. Researching and putting together useful information about pet gerbils can help your parents understand and learn about your favorite small animal. 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! Jumping. But in captivity, this isnt possible unless you intervene and put the loser in a separate cage. Heres some advice on how to introduce new gerbils. They will seem on-edge and nervous most of the time. Gerbils that play together are happy gerbils. Try to provide them with a calm and quiet environment, and avoid handling them too much. The only thing you can do is look for the signs of gerbil declanning. This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse,. Promising to take care of it yourself. 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. During the day, expect to see healthy hamsters sleeping; healthy gerbils may or may not be running around. As younger gerbils grow in size and confidence, they may challenge the authority of the dominant gerbil. Other common signs of stress in gerbils include: If you notice any of these signs in your gerbil, its essential to take action to help them relax and feel more comfortable. Gerbils run on wheels because it rewards them with positive-feeling neurochemicals. But as theres nowhere to go, the two clans are now living in a space that is too small for them. 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. If you arent sure whether your gerbils are playing or fighting, try offering them food. 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 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. If your gerbil recently lost a friend, wait a while. These fights will progress into a boxing match. Then, separate the gerbils before they get a chance to fight. If left untreated, a stressed gerbil may become sick or even die. It can make them sick and can even kill them. This is one of the important signs where they get stressed or that they are no longer in a calm state. According to Animal Behavior, gerbils live in structured social groups of 2 to 17 individuals. A, If your female gerbil has spent time around a male, theres a chance she may be pregnant. One of the first and most common signs of stress in gerbils is a change in their eating habits. It can be the result either of sadness or stress. If you suddenly start noticing your gerbil becoming more vocal, it could be stressed. Thats why a gerbil gets so excited when you take it from its cage. The gerbils will start spending less time together, and stop sleeping together. Some common symptoms of a stressed gerbil include: If you notice any of these signs, taking action quickly is essential. But gerbil play fighting is healthy and normal and never results in injury. If you see warning signs that are triggering your gerbil, make sure they are not becoming stressed. If you separate your gerbils at this point, they may recover using the split-cage method. How do You Know Your Gerbil is Stressed? Anxiety or irritability. One kind of noise a gerbil can make is a loud, high-pitched squeak. Its more common in female gerbils than males. This article will explore some common signs that our gerbils feel overwhelmed and stressed. Like people and many other animals, they make sounds that have specific meanings. They will each take turns being the chaser. You may especially notice this when you reach into your enclosure to pick up one of your pets. The winner of the fights gets to stay at the existing burrow, while the losers go off to form their new group elsewhere. Or, a gerbil that was thought to be male will give birth. It wont eat anything at all and is likely to be lethargic. How to spot the signs of stress Sometimes, you may hear your gerbils squeaking, Gerbils that are the same age and live together are usually the same size. I'm currently a pet groomer, and I love it. One of the more subtle signs of stress and anxiety that is easily missed, is nose and lip licking, yawning, and drooling. Foot stomping and vocalizations, such as squeaking and teeth chattering, can be stress-induced. It wont be allowed back into the burrow until they all get along again. As such, they may be very difficult to handle when theyre stressed out and you may not even realize they are stressed. This looks a little like one gerbil trying to mount the other. If your pet is in or next to its burrow or is in a corner, it may bite. This forces the fighting pair to fight harder. Presumably, wild animals experience the same positive benefits as those in captivity. But in captivity, this is physically impossible. Life experiences. After declanning, youll need a new enclosure which has all the features of the old one. You must do this straight away. This is usually a good sign that the birth is imminent. But if you cant, take your gerbil to an exotic pet veterinarian. Gerbils are not the most demanding pet, but they do need certain requirements to be fulfilled. One of the most obvious signs of stressed axolotl is their gills. As a first action, change the type of bedding you are using in the enclosure. This is normal behavior and completely harmless. However, that doesnt necessarily mean that they'll get along well together. Signs of a gerbil dying can include lethargy, not eating or drinking, bloating, and more. 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