How to React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches

Gerbils can give everything from a playful nibble to a painful scratch to a serious bite. If yours has some bad biting or scratching behavior, the best thing to do is to react calmly. Gerbils are sensitive readers of emotion, and if yours thinks you are scared or angry, it can become agitated and attack again. To avoid problems in the future, always stay calm around your pet and give it time to get used to you before handling it much.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Responding Immediately to a Bite or Scratch

  1. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 1
    1
    Blow air at your gerbil. If your pet becomes aggressive (bites or scratches), blow a puff of air at its face. Your gerbil will find this unpleasant, and it should stop biting or scratching.[1]
    • This same technique works if your gerbil is just nibbling on you.
  2. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 2
    2
    Don’t flinch if bitten. Bites can be painful, especially if they break skin. Your first thought might be to pull away. This can make your gerbil actually want to bite again, however. It’s better to react calmly.[2]
    • Gerbils don't bite to be mean. Biting is usually a sign that your gerbil is scared. Shouting or flinching can make the gerbil more scared and more likely to bite again.
    • Gerbils are good readers of emotion. They can sense if you are afraid or scared, which can make them agitated.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 3
    3
    Stop irritating your gerbil if it nips you. When a gerbil nips, it will clamp its jaws down in a single motion. This won't be as painful or damaging as a bite, though it can still hurt a little. If your gerbil nips you, it’s a sign that it wants you to stop doing something. Let it be, and the nips should stop.[3]
    • For instance, your gerbil might nip you if you’re holding it and it wants down.
    • You can blow air at the gerbil for a nip as well, but make sure that you also stop doing what’s irritating your furry friend.
    • A nibble is a painless, repetitive chewing motion. Don't mistake these for nips or bites.
  4. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 4
    4
    Wash the bite or scratch wound. Gerbils can carry germs, just like any creature. To reduce the risk of infection, make sure to wash the bite or scratch wound with antibacterial soap and warm water as soon as possible. This is especially important if your skin is broken.[4]
    • Cover a mild cut with antibacterial ointment and a bandage after washing.
    • If you see signs of infection (pus, redness, warmth), contact a doctor immediately.
    • It is unlikely that a pet gerbil would carry rabies, but you may want to get a vaccine booster just in case.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Preventing Further Bites and Scratches

  1. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 5
    1
    Let your gerbil know you want to pick it up. Gerbils can get scared and bite or scratch if you pick them up without warning. Approach your gerbil slowly, start talking to it in a calm voice, and hold out your hand. If your friend seems calm, you can pick it up.[5]
    • Do not snatch your gerbil up quickly, since this can cause it to become aggressive.
    • Hold your friend firmly enough that it won't fall, but not so hard that you squeeze it.
  2. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 6
    2
    Clean your hands before handling your pet. Gerbils might become aggressive because they smell another gerbil on your hands. Likewise, if you have food on your hands, your pet might very well start nibbling on you. Washing your hands before handling your gerbil should take care of these causes of biting and scratching behavior.[6]
  3. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 7
    3
    Spend time each day with a new gerbil so that it gets used to you. Start by sitting next the cage so that the gerbil learns who you are. You can read or speak to the gerbil to get it used to your voice. After a few days, give the gerbil a treat, such as a sunflower seed, through the bars. Let the gerbil come up to your hand to eat the treat.[7]
    • Over time, the gerbil will get less and less scared of you. Soon, you may be able to give the gerbil a treat from an open hand or the gerbil may willingly hop onto your hand when you hold it out.
  4. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 8
    4
    Handle an aggressive gerbil with gloves at first. Some gerbils will bite out of fear until they get to know you. Wear gloves when holding yours, talk to it soothingly, and give it treats. Over time, you might see it stop biting the gloves. When it seems calm around you, try picking it up and holding it bare-handed.[8]
    • Most gerbils won’t make a habit of scratching, but if yours does, gloves will keep you from getting hurt.
    • Gloves of any material are fine, as long as they are thick enough to prevent bites and scratches.
  5. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 9
    5
    Avoid handling a gerbil that seems afraid of you. If you have a gerbil who constantly bites and scratches, it can be best to just generally avoid picking it up. You can get another gerbil so that it has a companion to play with, and use gloves when you have to pick it up.[9]
    • If you have a gerbil that has a habit of attacking your hand, you can also try letting it jump on your sleeve instead instead of picking it up and holding it in your hands. It might feel more comfortable that way.
  6. Image titled React when Your Gerbil Bites or Scratches Step 10
    6
    See a vet if you can’t figure out why your gerbil is aggressive. Some gerbils will attack because they are ill. If you can’t see a clear reason for your pet’s behavior, take it to a vet for an examination to see if there is an underlying cause.[10]
    • Any illness might cause your gerbil to become aggressive. If the behavior is accompanied by diarrhea, a change in weight, loss of fur, skin problems, or inactivity, it is even more likely that an illness is to blame.
    7. Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Set Up a Gerbil Cage
How to
Set Up a Gerbil Cage
Care for Gerbils
How to
Care for Gerbils
Give a Gerbil a Sand Bath
How to
Give a Gerbil a Sand Bath
Spot and Treat Scent Gland Tumors in Gerbils
How to
Spot and Treat Scent Gland Tumors in Gerbils
Make an Aquarium Into a Gerbil Cage
How to
Make an Aquarium Into a Gerbil Cage
How to
Make a Tunnel Playground for Your Gerbils
Catch a Gerbil on the Loose
How to
Catch a Gerbil on the Loose
Play With Gerbils
How to
Play With Gerbils
Tame Your GerbilsHow to Tame Your Gerbils
Split Cage a Gerbil
How to
Split Cage a Gerbil
Breed Gerbils
How to
Breed Gerbils
Feed a Gerbil
How to
Feed a Gerbil
Make Your Gerbil Happy
How to
Make Your Gerbil Happy
Pick up a Gerbil
How to
Pick up a Gerbil
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://www.shawsheenrivergerbils.com/gerbilpedia.html
  2. ↑ http://gerbilsaspets.com/how-to-tame-gerbils
  3. ↑ http://www.shawsheenrivergerbils.com/gerbilpedia.html
  4. ↑ http://www.shawsheenrivergerbils.com/gerbilpedia.html
  5. ↑ https://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/other/general_health/caring_for_your_gerbil.aspx
  6. ↑ http://www.shawsheenrivergerbils.com/gerbilpedia.html
  7. ↑ https://www.thespruce.com/gerbils-as-pets-1236824
  8. ↑ http://www.shawsheenrivergerbils.com/gerbilpedia.html
  9. ↑ http://www.shawsheenrivergerbils.com/gerbilpedia.html
  1. ↑ http://www.shawsheenrivergerbils.com/gerbilpedia.html

About This Article

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Co-authored by:
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 32,185 times.
27 votes - 89%
Co-authors: 4
Updated: April 30, 2019
Views: 32,185
Categories: Gerbils
Article SummaryX

If your gerbil has bitten or scratched you, try not to flinch or pull away, since this may scare your gerbil and cause it to do it again. To stop your gerbil biting or scratching, try blowing a puff of air into its face. You should also stop petting or holding it since it’s probably irritated. To care for the wound, wash your hands using antibacterial soap, and contact a doctor if you see any redness or pus. For more advice from our Veterinary co-author, like how to handle an aggressive gerbil, keep reading!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement