Top 44 How To Comfort A Dying Gerbil The 61 Correct Answer

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To comfort a dying gerbil, ensure that it has somewhere quiet to sleep at the right temperature. Encourage it to keep eating, providing treats if it refuses pellets. Some dying gerbils enjoy being handled by their owners, but some will only want you to sit nearby. Provide gerbil-safe medication if your pet is in pain.Do Gerbils Die of Old Age? A gerbil’s natural lifespan is around three years, but gerbils have been known to live for five years. Good care is key to prolonging your gerbil’s life. Either way, gerbils regularly die of old age as the body begins to break down.It is possible to revive the gerbil, using gradual heat. I use a heated pad sold more commonly for reptiles. You can place the gerbil in a show pen, or other small plastic container, on the pad. Place some bedding in the pen, so that the gerbil is not in direct contact with the pad.

Here are a few symptoms of illness in gerbils:

Behavior. If your gerbil is in pain, he may squeak or nip at you.
Hiding. Like many animals, gerbils sometimes hide when they aren’t feeling well. …
Runny Eyes/Nose. Gerbils produce mucus that has a reddish tint. …
Fur Loss. …
Lethargy. …
Diarrhea. …
Problems Eating. …
Temperature.

Contents

How long does it take for a gerbil to pass away?

Do Gerbils Die of Old Age? A gerbil’s natural lifespan is around three years, but gerbils have been known to live for five years. Good care is key to prolonging your gerbil’s life. Either way, gerbils regularly die of old age as the body begins to break down.

How do you revive a gerbil?

It is possible to revive the gerbil, using gradual heat. I use a heated pad sold more commonly for reptiles. You can place the gerbil in a show pen, or other small plastic container, on the pad. Place some bedding in the pen, so that the gerbil is not in direct contact with the pad.

How do you comfort a gerbil?

To comfort a dying gerbil you should give them a lot of love and affection and pet and talk to them as often as you can. They will also find comfort in their favorite treats and if they seem cold do your best to warm them up. Dealing with this kind of unfortunate loss is always going to be hard though.

How do I know if my gerbil is in pain?

Here are a few symptoms of illness in gerbils:

Behavior. If your gerbil is in pain, he may squeak or nip at you.
Hiding. Like many animals, gerbils sometimes hide when they aren’t feeling well. …
Runny Eyes/Nose. Gerbils produce mucus that has a reddish tint. …
Fur Loss. …
Lethargy. …
Diarrhea. …
Problems Eating. …
Temperature.

Why is my gerbil barely moving?

This is normally due to a severe health problem, or worse, so you need to take swift action. Health issues that can lead to lifelessness in gerbils include respiratory infections, strokes, heart attacks, and Tyzzer’s disease. It may be incurable. It could also be hypothermia from a cold cage.

Why is my gerbil lying flat?

It is normal and natural for gerbils to start moving and run around when being held. They are excited; this doesn’t always mean they are trying to get away. If they don’t move—if your gerbil sits perfectly still or lies down—they are most likely either depressed or sick.

What happens when a gerbil dies?

So, gerbils have an evolutionary interest in forming a strong bond. The end result, if one dies, is grief. Gerbils can also live in same-sex pairs. In the same way, when one dies, the other will grieve.

Why is my gerbil not opening his eyes?

If a gerbil can’t open its eyes, or its eyes are half shut all the time, it may mean your gerbil is ill. Gerbils close their eyes when they sleep. Gerbils sleep at odd hours, like during the day. They are susceptible to eye infections (conjunctivitis) and can be allergic to wood shavings as bedding.

How can you tell if a gerbil is dehydrated?

Gerbils can go one day without any ill effect. If gerbils go longer than 24 hours without water they will start to show signs of dehydration. You may see them licking the wall of an aquarium or other surfaces trying to lick up moisture. They may dig under their water bottle, bang it around, or chew on it.

How do you cheer up a depressed gerbil?

One of the easiest ways to make a gerbil happy is to spend time with it. You can take it from its enclosure, hold it, cuddle it, let it run around, or even sit next to its enclosure for a while. All of these things will make your gerbil feel less alone.

Why is my gerbil standing still?

If your gerbil is standing on its hind legs with its paws pressed together as “in prayer”, it is likely stressed or on high alert. It may be feeling anxious in response to its surroundings or to another gerbil in its cage. The gerbil may also be frightened or scared by a loud noise in its environment.

Can gerbils cry?

Gerbils can become upset and will behave in a certain way when they are. While they won’t produce tears like humans, you could call this behavior ‘crying’. One thing you will see is a gerbil producing shrill, urgent shrieks.

What can you give a gerbil for pain?

If your gerbil is in obvious pain, painkillers may be administered to help reduce the pain temporarily. Your veterinarian may also prescribe some vitamin and mineral supplements for your gerbil to help in the recovery and to strengthen the bones.

How do you dispose of a dead gerbil?

The most common way to dispose of a dead gerbil is to bury it in the back yard, marking it with a memorial feature. Similarly, vets can take care of your dead gerbil for you, sending it to be cremated. You may also be able to get your gerbil’s ashes back.

Why is my gerbils head tilted?

Head tilt. A tendency to go round in circles or hold its head in a tilted position suggest an inner ear problem. It could be an infection, so antibiotic treatment is a good precaution. However, the cause is more likely to be a small cyst-like growth in the ear.

What happens if gerbil dies?

Do gerbils play dead?

Hiding in burrows is a gerbil’s most effective self-defense strategy. Gerbils stomp their feet to warn each other of nearby predators so that they can escape in time. They can also fight back against predators with their sharp incisors. As a last resort, they can play dead to discourage predators.

Do gerbils bury their dead?

Well, it’s not something they want to do. But gerbils are very clean animals, and dead bodies in their homes stink pretty bad soon enough and would attract predators. If they have enough bedding they’ll often bury their dead.

How do you bury a pet gerbil?

The most common way to dispose of a dead gerbil is to bury it in the back yard, marking it with a memorial feature. Similarly, vets can take care of your dead gerbil for you, sending it to be cremated. You may also be able to get your gerbil’s ashes back.

How To Comfort A Dying Hamster

How To Comfort A Dying Gerbil — Gerbil Welfare

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What Are The Signs My Gerbil Is Dying

How To Make A Dying Gerbil Comfortable

Can You Save A Dying Gerbil

What To Do When Your Gerbil Dies

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How To Comfort A Dying Gerbil — Gerbil Welfare

Gerbils become like family members. So, when they grow old and very ill, you’ll want to ensure that they’re comfortable until the very end. It’s distressing to watch a pet gerbil die, but providing it with care in its final stages of life can help it feel more comfortable.

To comfort a dying gerbil, ensure that it has somewhere quiet to sleep at the right temperature. Encourage it to keep eating, providing treats if it refuses pellets. Some dying gerbils enjoy being handled by their owners, but some will only want you to sit nearby. Provide gerbil-safe medication if your pet is in pain.

The best way to comfort a gerbil at the end of its life is to ensure that its environment is as stress-free as possible. If you have other pets or small children, limit their access to ensure that they don’t cause further distress.

What Are The Signs My Gerbil Is Dying?

While some gerbils die suddenly and unexpectedly, others spend a few days deteriorating and display symptoms that make it obvious they’re in their last few days of life.

Gerbils are healthy animals, but they are prone to fatal health conditions, including heart failure, seizures, strokes, and respiratory disorders.

However, gerbils only have a lifespan of approximately 3-5 years, depending on the species. Therefore, natural deaths are common. A dying gerbil displays the following signs:

Loss of appetite

Drinking less frequently

Staying in one spot more often

Labored breathing

Dull fur

Weight loss

Urinating or pooping on itself

When your gerbil starts to die, you must keep checking in on your pet to ensure it’s not in pain and has everything it needs to be comfortable.

How To Make A Dying Gerbil Comfortable

When gerbils start dying, they lose many basic functions. The deterioration is usually quick, meaning it sometimes takes owners by surprise.

However, as the owner, you’ll want to keep your gerbil as comfortable as possible while it’s dying. As a result, you can give your pet a loving send-off by following these steps:

Optimal Temperature

When gerbils start dying, and their bodies shut down, they struggle to regulate their body temperature.

The optimal temperature for a gerbil is between 65-75 degrees. If they get too hot, they’re at risk of heatstroke, which speeds up the dying process. Similarly, if they’re too cold, they’re at risk of hypothermia.

As a result, you’ll need to ensure that your gerbil’s kept at the right temperature and isn’t at risk of getting too hot or cold. To prevent your gerbil from getting cold:

Ensure the room it lives in is kept between 65-75 degrees. Turn the heat on if need be to a more comfortable temperature, especially in winter.

Provide an extra layer of bedding to trap heat and offer gerbils a place to bury into for warmth.

Keep the enclosure’s lid on to trap warmth if it’s not already.

Ensure the cage is out of the way of drafts.

Take the gerbil out of an air-conditioned room if it’s in one. Alternatively, switch it off for a few days.

Similarly, to stop your gerbil from getting too warm, follow these steps:

Reduce the room’s temperature if it’s higher than 75 degrees. Find a fan or move the gerbil to an air-conditioned room. Remove excess bedding to prevent too much heat from being trapped. Keep the enclosure away from direct sunlight.

According to Popular Science, glass traps light and heat. Once it hits the bedding, it’s absorbed, becoming hot. This is why it’s essential to move the bedding out of the sun.

Quiet Environment

Dying gerbils need to conserve their energy and will sleep more often to do so. As a result, you can make your gerbil feel more comfortable by providing a dark, quiet space to live in, where it won’t be disturbed.

If you have multiple gerbils in the cage, it’s a good idea to isolate your dying gerbil. This allows it to get some rest. Otherwise, it may become disturbed by the constant burrowing and exercising of its cagemates.

However, if separating the gerbils isn’t possible, place a nesting box inside the tank so that your dying gerbil can separate itself and find some peace.

As previously mentioned, children and other pets should be supervised whenever they’re in the same room as the gerbil. This prevents them from disturbing the animal or making it stressed.

Show Affection

Your gerbil may find comfort in hearing your voice and sensing your presence, especially if it’s attached to you.

According to Physiology, when animals are petted, oxytocin is released in their brains. This is a neurochemical that’s also known as the “love hormone.” It lowers blood pressure and decreases cortisol, helping gerbils feel more relaxed.

Read your gerbil’s cues to understand how much affection it’s looking for. Some will want to curl up on their owners’ lap. Others will enjoy having you sit next to the cage.

As a minimum, talk to your gerbil using soft, high-pitched tones. This should offer some comfort and helps to let your pet know it’s not alone. The best time to do this is when you’re reading a book or magazine and have time to spend with your pet.

Not only is this good for your pet, but it’ll help you to find some peace and say your goodbyes.

Give Your Gerbil Space

This may seem contradictory when we’ve already talked about showing your gerbil affection in its final days, but you must understand when your gerbil wants to be alone.

If your gerbil bites or scratches you when you attempt to handle it, leave it be. Depending on why your gerbil is dying, handling could be a painful experience. It’s also likely your gerbil wants to sleep.

It’s also unlikely they’ll have the energy to fight back, so they’ll get stressed out quickly. Stress can speed up the process of death and make the gerbil uncomfortable in its final hours.

Treats

When your gerbil is in the final stages of life, you can be a bit more relaxed with the number of treats you feed it. It’s also a nice thing to do for your gerbil while it’s dying.

While you’ll need to be careful of any health conditions, feeding your pet its favorite treats is an excellent way to provide it with some enjoyment in its last days.

Treats are also handy if your gerbil refuses to eat. Feeding treats is better than nothing and allows them to receive some sustenance to keep their energy levels stable. It also prevents them from becoming malnourished, which can make death a more uncomfortable experience.

However, even if your gerbil isn’t touching its normal food, it’s still worth encouraging it to eat by replacing stale food and water each day.

You may even need to start hand-feeding the gerbil for a short while so that it gets the nutrients it needs. Not only can this prevent hunger, but it gives you a final chance to bond. Gerbils love the following treats:

Apple slices

Blueberries

Banana (fresh and dried)

Pears

Strawberries

Cucumber

Carrot

Pumpkin

Fennel

Sunflower seeds

Pumpkin seeds

Wholegrain bread

Small pieces of cheese

Unsweetened cereal

Small amounts of scrambled egg

Feeding treats sparingly can give your gerbil a much-needed energy boost.

Pain Medication

Gerbils that are dying of old age may not need pain relief, and it can even make them more lethargic.

But animals suffering from a painful or uncomfortable health condition may need medication to help them feel more at ease with their problem.

However, never self-prescribe, as you may make your gerbil’s condition worse. If necessary, vets will administer painkillers or a course of antibiotics to treat a painful infection. Signs of pain include:

Loss of appetite

Anorexia

Labored breathing

Aggression

Bleeding

Limping

Squeaks

Cries of pain

Sleeping more than normal

If your gerbil displays any of these signs, take it to the vet to see if pain medication can help. However, you must bear in mind that the kindest course of action may be to euthanize your gerbil to stop it from suffering, especially if it’s already close to death.

Can You Save A Dying Gerbil?

Some gerbils only live for a few years, so it can be a shock when they deteriorate before their expected lifespan. As a result, it’s natural for pet owners to wonder if there’s a way to prolong their gerbil’s life.

Unfortunately, because gerbils only have a short lifespan, there’s not a lot you can do once their bodies start to shut down. In most cases, nature will take hold and run its course.

However, don’t leave your gerbil to suffer. If your gerbil starts showing signs of pain, you must manage your pet’s discomfort. The gerbil could also have an infection, injury, or treatable healthy condition, especially if the animal is still young.

You mustn’t give your hopes up, though. While your vet may be able to recommend a treatment, it’s more likely to be a palliative measure rather than a life-saving one.

What To Do When Your Gerbil Dies

Once your gerbil dies, you’ll need to deal with the body quickly. While you need to allow yourself time to grieve, it’s best to do so once you’ve disposed of the dead gerbil. This is because the body will decompose and attract bacteria. It will also start to smell, drawing the attention of pests and tainting your home.

If you have other gerbils in the enclosure, a dead tankmate risks their health, especially if the gerbil had a contagious condition. However, before you arrange a burial for your gerbil, make sure it’s definitely passed away. You can do this by:

Checking whether the gerbil is breathing. Observe for several minutes in case the breathing has slowed to an unnoticeable rate.

Checking the gerbil’s heartbeat by feeling for a pulse with your forefinger.

Once you’ve determined for sure that your gerbil has died, it’s time to say your goodbyes. This is a difficult process and one that will take time.

Many owners take comfort in burying their pet gerbils in their back yard or another special resting spot where they can visit them often. Place your deceased gerbil in a box and give it the send-off it deserves.

You could also cremate the gerbil, but be careful to do it in a safe, controlled environment that reduces the fire risk. Afterward, to clean and sanitize the cage, follow these steps:

Take the gerbil out of the cage when you notice it’s passed away. If you have gerbils, place them in a safe, separate location. Remove the tank’s bedding and dispose of it. Spray and clean the enclosure with an antibacterial spray. Replace the bedding and place your gerbils back in the enclosure.

If you have other gerbils, keep an eye on them in case they show any signs of illness, especially if your gerbil died from something they can catch. Other gerbils may grieve the loss.

When a much-loved pet dies, it’s the worst feeling. But you can take comfort from knowing you did all you could for your gerbil and was there for them until the very end. Even though gerbils can’t talk, they’re aware of when they’re loved and understand that their human owners care for them.

Why Do Gerbils Die Suddenly? — Gerbil Welfare

If your gerbil died suddenly, no doubt you’re sad and want to understand why it happened. There are many reasons why gerbils die, and some have noticeable symptoms.

Strokes and heart disease cause sudden death in gerbils. Their symptoms, like seizures and swelling, have a quick onset. Shock or fright can also cause death through seizures. Death by old age can be sudden too, as gerbils only live for about 2-3 years.

If your gerbil dies suddenly, remove it from its cage, get rid of any bedding, and clean the enclosure with antibacterial spray. By learning more, you can prevent sudden death in your other gerbils.

Do Gerbils Die Suddenly?

Gerbils only live to about three years old on average. While they do show signs of aging, these aren’t as obvious as they are in people. And many health conditions are tricky to spot with an untrained eye. So, when a gerbil dies, it can take you by surprise.

Also, many owners don’t spend much time with their pets. If this is the case, they may not notice that their pet is bloated, inactive, or has a dull coat. To these owners, any time their gerbils die comes as a surprise.

Many conditions have a slow onset. They may have noticeable symptoms, like weight gain. But gerbils can take you by surprise in that way, too.

Why Do Gerbils Die All of a Sudden?

There is no specific health issue called ‘gerbil sudden death syndrome.’ However, gerbils can die suddenly when their owners least expect it.

There are many reasons why gerbils pass away. Like people, these pets can experience many health issues. These issues relate to the environment, diet, exercise, and transmittable diseases.

The issue is that you may not know why your gerbil died. If you didn’t spot any symptoms before your gerbil’s passing, then you can’t tell what killed it. This is an unfortunately common circumstance that owners find themselves in.

This is a problem because good care is key to good health. If you have other gerbils, you should try to learn why your gerbil got sick and died. But this may not be possible. In many cases, you’ll never know what killed your gerbil.

Do Gerbils Die of Old Age?

A gerbil’s natural lifespan is around three years, but gerbils have been known to live for five years. Good care is key to prolonging your gerbil’s life.

Either way, gerbils regularly die of old age as the body begins to break down. Over time, your gerbil’s organs like its heart, kidneys, and liver will begin to fail. You may not notice the behavioral signs of this occurring.

However, death by old age is noticeable. So, it’s likely that your gerbil died of something other than age-related issues.

Gerbil Seizures (Contracting Muscles)

If you’ve never kept gerbils before, one thing that might surprise you is their seizures. Most gerbils have seizures from a young age (two to six months). For some gerbils, they stop, and for others, they don’t.

The first time you see your gerbil have a grand mal seizure, it’s exceptionally worrying. You may think your gerbil is dying or already dead. Symptoms include:

Your gerbil collapses onto its side or back

Your gerbil’s feet and legs twitch violently

Your gerbil is unresponsive when you pick it up or move it

These seizures can last up to a minute, so it’s no wonder an owner might think their pet is dying. However, these seizures don’t kill gerbils. They don’t result in brain damage and have no other long-lasting effects.

Gerbils get these seizures because of genetics. Almost all U.S. gerbils are descended from only 20 breeding pairs. That’s how these seizures became common because the gene pool is so small.

The only exceptions are seizures later in life. These may be unrelated to seizures caused by genetics. A gerbil may have a seizure if it’s critically ill with some other condition. If that happens, then your gerbil may die suddenly.

Can Gerbils Die of Shock or Fright?

Gerbils can die of shock, although not quite in the way that you might imagine. Repeated shocks and stress can kill a gerbil over time, although they won’t kill your gerbil suddenly.

If you’ve ever met somebody with epilepsy, you might know that epileptic fits have ‘triggers.’ These are things like flashing lights, for example, which directly cause a seizure. People with epilepsy try to avoid these triggers.

Seizures in gerbils are essentially the same as epilepsy. Your gerbil’s seizures can be ‘triggered’ by many different things, including:

Loud noises and bright lights

Over-excitement

Other gerbils playing or fighting with it

Being moved around too quickly when you handle it

According to the Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences, blowing in your gerbil’s face causes seizures

So, when your gerbil is in a highly stressful environment, it may have frequent seizures. While each seizure won’t cause lasting damage, their continuation can cause issues. Your gerbil can’t feed or care for itself because it has so many seizures.

Your gerbil can also become stressed because of other reasons. If it lives with other gerbils that reject it, this can cause repeated fighting.

It can also make it difficult for your pet to eat because the other gerbils hoard the food for themselves. The loud noises and bright lights of a house can also cause stress.

Over time, your gerbil will decline and die because of these repeated stresses. However, what doesn’t happen is your gerbil dying suddenly because of shock.

Do Gerbils Get Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a condition that can affect any animal with a heart. More commonly known as a heart attack, heart failure means that one of the arteries in the heart has become blocked. Because the heart can’t pump blood, the affected animal experiences severely negative effects.

However, heart failure specifically affects gerbils more than other animals. That’s because of the gerbil’s genetics. According to PLoS One, some species of gerbil are particularly prone to both diabetes and obesity.

Besides that, a gerbil’s heart has to work harder than a human heart. The average resting heart rate of a person is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM). But that of a gerbil is higher, which puts increased stress on the heart muscles.

According to Physiology and Behavior, a female gerbil’s heart rate is around 300 BPM during pregnancy. This drops to around 250 during lactation. However, this is still far higher than that of a person. And during stress, a gerbil’s heart can beat 600 times per minute.

This high level of activity, plus the gerbil’s natural susceptibility to heart disease, means that the condition is common. The symptoms of heart failure in gerbils include:

Sudden weight gain

Swollen abdomen, caused both by weight gain and bloating

Labored breathing and wheezing

Constipation

Low energy levels

Blue or gray gums and tongue

So, if you noticed any of these symptoms before your gerbil passed away, the issue may have been heart failure. If your gerbil is alive and exhibits these symptoms, take it to see a vet.

Do Gerbils Have Strokes (Brain Aneurysms)?

Strokes, also known as brain aneurysms, occur when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. They are a leading cause of injury and death in older populations. They occur in both people and gerbils (as well as other animals).

The cause of a brain aneurysm is a burst blood vessel. These occur when blood pressure gets too high and when the walls of the body’s blood vessels become rigid and old. Being overweight and a lack of exercise are two risk factors for strokes in gerbils.

A brain aneurysm looks like a seizure when it occurs. Your gerbil will lose control of its body and may collapse onto its side or back. It will only gradually recover the use of its limbs.

Strokes affect other animals in the same way that they affect us. Where the blood vessel burst in the brain, the local brain tissue will be affected. This can result in symptoms such as:

Loss of use of a limb, like a leg

Loss of sight in one eye

Difficulty controlling one side of the face, and subsequent difficulty eating and drinking

Complete paralysis

Sudden death

A gerbil that has a stroke will often lose the use of one of its front legs. Its body may also twist in an odd shape. However, it will still move around, albeit not as quickly as before. In more severe cases, your gerbil may be entirely paralyzed.

A gerbil can die from a stroke, so take your pet to the vet. Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do to help a gerbil that has a stroke. There are no reversing the effects.

Gerbil Respiratory Infections

RIs are like severe colds, where your gerbil’s nose and throat become blocked with snot. If you don’t get to spend much time with your pet, you may not notice these conditions developing. And depending on the conditions your gerbil lives in, RIs can appear suddenly. The symptoms include:

Runny nose and eyes

Labored breathing (wheezing, with a clicking noise)

Decreased appetite and activity levels

Respiratory infections can be cured, as vets provide antibiotics that can reverse these symptoms.

Can Gerbils Kill Each Other?

Both in the wild and in captivity, gerbils are prone to violence. That’s because of the social structure of gerbil groups. Gerbil groups have one dominant pair, which breed together, and several other subordinate gerbils surround them.

These dominant gerbils can frequently fight with others. For example, if there is a limited food resource, the dominant pair will hog the food for themselves. Or, if another gerbil challenges the dominance of the ‘alpha’ male or female, a fight will surely follow.

You can spot these fights before they occur. The two fighting gerbils will stand facing each other, perhaps pressing noses. They will make loud squeaking noises at one another. You may also notice them intermittently stamping their feet.

The unfortunate outcome of these fights can be sudden death. Gerbils will fight to the death to ensure their dominance. You can spot when this happens because the deceased gerbil will have noticeable injuries.

What to Do If Your Gerbil Dies Suddenly

If your gerbil dies suddenly, you will have to dispose of it. This is an unpleasant but necessary thing to do. You can dispose of it in the trash, although this seems heartless.

Most people would rather give their pet a proper send-off. Burying your gerbil in the backyard is the best way to show it respect and say your goodbyes.

Whatever you do, though, do it quickly. If your gerbil died of something contagious, the problem could affect your other gerbils. To prevent this from happening, follow these guidelines:

Remove your gerbil from its enclosure immediately once you notice it’s passed away

Take your other gerbils and put them somewhere safe, e.g. in an empty bathtub

Remove the old bedding from your gerbil’s cage

Clean the walls of your gerbils’ enclosure with antibacterial spray

Replace the bedding with new, clean bedding, and only then put your gerbils back inside their enclosure

If the gerbil died from an issue related to its health, you should consider changing your gerbils’ food. Your pet may have been overweight or experienced heart failure because of its diet. So, ensure you feed a good gerbil food mix at regular intervals instead.

National Gerbil Society

This article first appeared in the June 2001 issue of the NGS Journal

Gerbils are well adapted to extremes of temperature, for example in Mongolia, the temperature can rise to plus and minus 40C. However like us and other animals they can suffer from heat stroke, especially if they are left in areas of direct sunlight and areas where there is insufficient ventilation.

Although coming from an area with an extreme climate, gerbils shelter from the worst excesses of temperature by burrowing underground. The burrow temperature varies far less than the surface temperature. Even so, gerbils cope very well with temperatures as high as the low 30s Celsius. Above about 25C they will become less active and lie spread out when resting. As the air temperature rarely gets high enough to injure gerbils it is especially important to avoid allowing the gerbils to become trapped in strong sunlight, or be kept in a room with still heated air where pockets of much higher temperature can arise. Strong sunlight can make some rooms much hotter than the outside temperature For example, with the outside temperature being about 30C, the temperature in a building exposed to the sun can easily get to higher than 40 unless it is well insulated.

As we are still in the height of summer, you may want to reconsider where your gerbils are sited and move them to a cooler part of the house. If you keep them in a shed or other outbuilding, it is worth investing in a good quality extractor fan which will draw cooler air in from the outside. A stable door and opening windows fitted are also useful. Make sure you have a grill fitted which keeps cats and other unwelcome visitors out. As an added precaution, move the tanks down on to the floor on hot days, where there is cooler air. Not very tidy but it does the trick! Even if you are unable to ensure that fresh air is sucked in from outside, you can stop pockets of warm air forming in the hottest parts of the room using a standard desk fan. The most dangerous thing is if the air is allowed to heat up and stand still. Even a little movement will help distribute the temperature more evenly and make your animals more comfortable.

The first signs of heat stress are easily recognised, the gerbils lie prone in their tanks or cages and they will be panting, sometimes moving bedding out of the way in their search for somewhere cool to lie. If you notice this, move the gerbils immediately and situate them in a cooler part of the house or shed. You can keep a large smooth stone in the fridge and place it in the cage for the gerbil to lie on if it so wishes. In more advanced cases, the gerbils will be wet around the mouth area and may well be unconscious. This is a sign of serious heat stress. It is vitally important that you get the gerbil’s temperature down as quickly as you can, otherwise it will die. To get the temperature of the gerbil down, use cool rather than freezing water. If the water is too cold, the shock of the change in temperature may well kill the gerbil. It is also important to try and get some fluids into the gerbil, again do not use freezing water.

It is important that you get your gerbil to a vet immediately. Heat stroke can cause irreparable damage to internal organs and if the gerbil is not strong enough to drink, may well need an injection of fluids, which the vet will inject subcutaneously.

A related problem is hypothermia. This is obviously more of a problem in winter, although a gerbil that gets soaking wet can quickly lose heat so it is worth bearing in mind at any time. Gerbils are well protected from cold by their thick fur and hairs on the tail, ears and feet. However, if left for too long in temperatures below freezing they can become seriously affected.

In severe cases the gerbil or gerbils will be very cold to the touch and will be huddled together in a group. They will not respond if you touch them. It is possible to revive the gerbil, using gradual heat. I use a heated pad sold more commonly for reptiles. You can place the gerbil in a show pen, or other small plastic container, on the pad. Place some bedding in the pen, so that the gerbil is not in direct contact with the pad. Having bedding in the pen will allow the floor to heat up gradually, so that the gerbil is warmed gradually. Always have a part of the pen off the heated pad, so that when the gerbil has recovered, it can go to the cooler end of the box if it so wishes.

If you have no heated pad, then you can use a hot water bottle. Wrap a towel around the bottle so that the gerbil is not directly exposed to the heat. You will need to keep a close eye on the gerbil so that it can be moved once it is conscious and able to move around on its own.

Another method you can try which I have used successfully in the past and on a more recent trip to Belgium, is to place the gerbil next to your skin under your clothes. It restricts your movements somewhat, but is a very successful way to revive a torpid gerbil. If nothing appears to be happening, do not give up, it can take at least an hour before the gerbil starts to move.

Once the gerbil is moving around offer it some fluids and seek veterinary treatment and ensure it is kept warm and comfortable.

So you have finished reading the how to comfort a dying gerbil topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: why is my gerbil wobbling, i think my gerbil is dying, one of my gerbils died will the other one be ok, labored breathing in gerbils, gerbil lifespan, sick gerbil eyes closed, old gerbil, how to know if your gerbil is depressed

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How To Comfort A Dying Gerbil — Gerbil Welfare

Why Do Gerbils Die Suddenly? — Gerbil Welfare

Heatstroke – National Gerbil Society

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How Do You Comfort A Dying Gerbil? – Pocket Sized Pets

How To Comfort A Dying Gerbil? | Little Pet Corner

I think one of the gerbils is dying | Mumsnet

How to Know if a Gerbil is Ill: 12 Steps (with Pictures) – wikiHow

HELP PLEASE! 3-4 year old Gerbil in death process | Rabbits Online Pet Rabbit & Bunny Forum

Signs You May Shockingly Over Look – Dying Gerbil Symptoms

How Can I Tell If My Gerbil Is Dying? – Blurtit

How To Comfort A Dying Gerbil — Gerbil Welfare

Why Do Gerbils Die Suddenly? — Gerbil Welfare

National Gerbil Society

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