Can Gerbils Overheat? Shocking Answer!
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In summer, we do what we can to stay cool. Too much heat and too little water can lead to dehydration and heatstroke.
Pet gerbils usually live indoors, where the temperature is fairly steady. But a cage in direct sun, a hot room or a closed car can heat up fast. So, can gerbils overheat?
Can gerbils overheat? Yes. Like any small mammal, a gerbil can overheat and die if it is trapped in a hot spot without shade, airflow or water. The most common causes are a cage in direct sunlight, a hot room without air conditioning, and hot cars.
Never leave any pet in a hot car, and remember that small pets like gerbils need protection from heat too. Below are the risks, the warning signs and what to do.
Why Does Your Gerbil Overheat?
It's easy to assume gerbils handle heat well. The pet gerbil is the Mongolian gerbil, and the Merck Veterinary Manual notes that wild Mongolian gerbils live in deserts, bush country and dry steppes and have a high resistance to heat stress and dehydration.
Wild gerbils, though, can escape the heat. They spend most of their time in burrows in the soil, which stay cooler than the surface.
A pet gerbil can't do that. It lives wherever we put its cage and has to cope with the conditions we give it. A glass tank or plastic cage in a sunny window can get much hotter than the rest of the room.
That's why you need to know the warning signs and act quickly.
When Do Gerbils Overheat?
Overheating is most common in summer and during heat waves, but it can happen any time a cage sits in direct sun, near a heater, or in a closed car or room without airflow.
Different Signs Of Gerbil Overheating
Watch for these warning signs, especially on hot days.
First, your gerbil may breathe fast or with its mouth open.
- Rapid or labored breathing can mean its body temperature is rising.
Second, your gerbil may stretch out flat or dig into its bedding to find a cooler spot.
- It may push bedding aside or burrow down looking for a cool, dark place.
Third, your gerbil may become slow and weak.
- It may move less, tremble or seem wobbly.
- It may hide more and eat or drink less.
Fourth, its behavior may change.
- It may become irritable and more likely to bite.
Severe heatstroke can lead to collapse and loss of consciousness. Treat any of these signs as urgent.
What Should You Do When Your Gerbil Overheats?
First, move your gerbil out of the heat right away to a cool, shaded, well-ventilated room. If you have several gerbils, you can move them together.
Make sure it has fresh, cool water. Don't force water into its mouth, because it could choke.
Do not plunge your gerbil into cold water or use ice directly on it. Cooling a small animal too fast can be dangerous.
Keep the room quiet and let your gerbil rest. Check on it often.
Call a vet who treats small mammals as soon as you can, even if your gerbil seems to recover. Heatstroke can cause internal damage that is not obvious at first. Keep it cool and shaded on the way to the clinic.
What Should You Not Do When Your Gerbil Overheats?
Don't overload your gerbil with fruit to rehydrate it. Fresh, clean water is the best choice. Sugary fruit in large amounts can upset its stomach.
Don't hold or pet your gerbil while it is trying to recover. Your body heat won't help, and handling adds stress.
Don't cover the cage with a towel or blanket to block the sun. It cuts off airflow and traps heat. Move the cage to a cooler spot instead.
How To Keep Your Gerbil's Temperature Regular?
The best prevention is a setup that lets your gerbil stay cool on its own.
Give it deep bedding for burrowing, plus hideouts and tunnels. These mimic the burrows wild gerbils use to escape the heat.
Do not put a pool or water bath in the cage. Gerbils keep their coats clean by sand bathing, not by getting wet. Merck notes that gerbils need sand baths, and that humidity above 50% can lead to a skin condition on the nose, so low humidity is best.
Check the water bottle every day, and keep it clean and full. Gerbils may drink more in hot weather.
Keep the cage out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and sunny windows. On hot days, close the blinds and keep the room cool with air conditioning or a fan that moves air around the room without blowing straight into the cage.
Final Words
Gerbils can overheat. The main causes are direct sun, hot rooms and hot cars. Keep the cage in a cool, shaded spot with fresh water and plenty of bedding to burrow in.
If your gerbil shows signs of overheating, cool it down gently and call your vet.
Sources
- Gerbils, Merck Veterinary Manual
