Gerbil

Epileptic seizures

SignsSudden stiffening and twitching, ears flattened back, body curled up; returns to normal in seconds to minutes. Common in young animals

PreventionGenetic factors are involved, so full prevention is difficult. Reduce triggers such as loud noises, sudden pick-ups and visitors

Nasal dermatitis (sore nose)

SignsRed, raw skin on the nose tip and around the mouth, hair loss, scabs. Triggered by Harderian gland secretions

PreventionAvoid stress, high humidity and dusty bedding; keep the cage clean. Use fine, dry sand for bathing, never powdery sand

Tyzzer's disease

SignsSudden lethargy, watery diarrhea, soiled rear end, sudden death. Bacterial infection common in young animals and right after arrival

PreventionObserve new animals in a separate cage. Keep the cage and food dishes clean; do not let damp bedding build up

Scent gland tumor

SignsSwollen scent gland in the middle of the belly, raw and bleeding, scabbed. Common in older males and grows gradually

PreventionHard to prevent. Check the belly scent gland weekly, note changes in size or bleeding, and consult the vet early

Ear tumors / otitis media

SignsHead tilt, circling to one side, white mass or debris inside the ear, frequent ear scratching. More common with age

PreventionHard to prevent. Check inside the ears and for head tilt weekly; see the vet early if anything is off

Malocclusion

SignsOvergrown incisors, mouth will not close, leaves hard food, drooling, weight loss. Starts with a chipped incisor

PreventionAlways provide chew wood and firm pellets. If it chews cage bars, switch to a tank-style cage and prevent falls

Tail slip (degloving)

PreventionNever lift by the tail. Scoop the whole body with both hands. Teach children how to hold

First aidDo not touch the exposed bone or flesh; cover loosely with clean gauze. The skin will not return, so see the vet the same day to decide whether amputation is needed

Bite wounds from a cagemate

PreventionPair same-sex animals raised together from a young age, or neutered combinations. Separate immediately at signs of fighting such as chasing or tail biting

First aidSeparate into different cages at once. Press bleeding with clean gauze; if the wound is deep, swollen or it stops eating, see the vet the same day

Fractures from falls

PreventionHold while sitting on the floor or at a low height. Reduce high platforms in the cage and lay deep bedding. Watch for the habit of leaping off your hand

First aidIf a leg is dragging or at an odd angle, do not splint; put it in a small box, dark and quiet. Do not splint yourself; see the vet the same day

Caught in the wheel or wire bars

PreventionChoose a solid-surface wheel with no gaps (20 cm or more in diameter). Wire cages trap feet and teeth, so use a tank-style cage

First aidDo not pull it out; remove the whole wheel or panel to free it. Press bleeding with gauze; if it will not bear weight or there is swelling, see the vet

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched droppings or urine

PreventionWash hands with soap after care. Clean the cage outside the kitchen and keep separate tools

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with an infected animal or bedding

PreventionDo not handle an animal with hair loss or dandruff bare-handed; see the vet. Wash hands after touching

LCM (lymphocytic choriomeningitis)

RouteContact with urine, saliva or droppings; inhaling dry dust

PreventionPregnant or immunocompromised people should have someone else do the care. Ventilate while cleaning

Bacterial infection from bites

RouteBacteria entering through a bite wound

PreventionWash the wound under running water at once and disinfect. See a doctor if there is swelling, heat or pus

Food

• Staple diet is gerbil or hamster pellets, once a day
• Amount is 1–2 teaspoons per animal. Adjust by leftovers
• Side foods: small amounts of komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), carrot and dried mealworms

Water

• Use a water bottle and change daily. They drink little but never let it run out
• A water dish wets the bedding and causes skin disease, so use a bottle

Toys & play

• Solid-surface wheel (20 cm or more in diameter, a shape that cannot catch the tail)
• Toilet paper tubes, cardboard, chew wood (chewing and shredding play)
• Sand bath container with fine, dry sand (no powdery bathing sand)

Nest, bed & hideout

• One wooden or ceramic nest box. Plastic gets chewed apart
• Nesting material: paper torn into thin strips. No cotton; it tangles on feet and in the gut

Bedding & litter

• Lay 15 cm or more of paper or aspen bedding so they can dig
• Softwood (pine/cedar) shavings and scented bedding cause nasal dermatitis
• Hard to litter train. Replace damp corners daily; full change once a week

Cage / housing material

Glass tank or acrylic cage with a wire mesh lid. Plastic cases get chewed through

Size & space

For a pair, floor 60 x 40 cm or more, height 30 cm or more. Tall enough for deep bedding

Layout

• Lay deep bedding; place the nest box and sand bath near tunnel exits
• Put the wheel and feeding area on a stable base where the bedding will not collapse
• Keep platforms low so falls are safe. Always secure the lid

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sun, air-conditioner drafts and humidifiers; choose a well-ventilated spot
• A quiet room out of reach of dogs and cats. The floor is cold, so place on a stand

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Free-roam time is not essential. If you let it out, build a pen and limit to 15–30 minutes a day
• Remove cords, furniture gaps and houseplants; never look away
• Strong jumper; clears a 30 cm barrier. Use a taller pen

Temperature & humidity

Temperature18–26°C. Above 30°C risks heatstroke; below 10°C risks loss of strength

HumidityKeep on the dry side at 30–50%. High humidity causes skin disease and a poor coat

Summer & winter

• In summer keep the room cool with air conditioning and provide a ceramic cooling spot. Dehumidifying is also important
• In winter place a panel heater under half the floor and check the temperature constantly with a thermometer

Nail trimming

Wear down naturally on bedding and sand. If overgrown, trim only the clear tip with small-animal clippers. If you cannot, go to the vet

Brushing, skin & coat care

Self-grooms, so no brushing needed. Greasy, spiky fur is a sign of high humidity or lack of sand baths

Other care

Never bathe in water. Sand bath several times a week. Check incisor length, belly scent gland and nose tip once a week

Protection from predators

• Do not keep in the same room as dogs, cats or ferrets. Weight or lock the lid
• Crows and stray cats come, so never put on a balcony or outdoors
• Keep the area around the cage clean against mosquitoes, cockroaches and mites

Foreign-body ingestion

Cotton and cloth fibers tangle on feet and block the gut. Do not put in plastic or rubber items; they chew them into pieces and swallow them

Being stepped on

Watch your feet while it is free-roaming. It burrows under cushions and into cloth, so check before sitting down

Getting pinched

Feet and tails often get caught in cage lids and sliding doors. Check the whole body before closing. Also inspect gaps in tunnel toys

Falls

Leaping off your hand causes fractures and internal injuries. Hold while sitting on the floor with both hands. Keep platforms low and bedding deep

Escape

Strong chewer; it gnaws a hole in a plastic case and escapes. Darken the room at night and set out a box with bedding and food; it will come back. Check behind furniture and along walls

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and quietly rest the bitten hand on the cage floor or ground
2. Without bringing the fingers of your other hand near its mouth, blow gently on it
3. Once it lets go, do not chase; let it return to the nest box or tunnel on its own
4. Wash your hand and think about why it bit (food smell, startle, fighting with a cagemate)

After the release

Wash under running water with soap and disinfect. See a doctor if there is swelling, heat or pus. Check the animal again for anything wrong

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Age, weight, housing (alone or pair), bedding type, room temperature and humidity; for seizures, how many and how long. Bring stool and food in a bag

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and touch the body lightly to check response. A normal animal moves
• Check breathing by the rise and fall of the chest. Normal is about 90 breaths per minute
• Rest a finger lightly on the chest to feel the heartbeat. Normal is about 300–600 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press the bleeding area gently with clean gauze for 1–2 minutes
• For a nail or tail tip, press flour or cornstarch onto it
• If it will not stop or blood is dripping, keep pressing and go to the vet at once

Transport

• Put bedding in a small plastic case, keep it dark and do not jostle
• In winter wrap a hand warmer in a towel and place it against the outside of the container. Never in direct contact