# Why Is My Gerbil Shaking? Causes and What to Do Gerbils shake for many reasons, and most of them are not serious. A gerbil may shiver from cold, tremble with excitement, or have a genetic tendency toward seizures that is well known in this species. This article explains why is my gerbil shaking, how to tell normal shivers from a medical problem, and what to do next. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Brief shivering in a warm, alert, eating gerbil is usually normal and needs no treatment. - Cold is a common cause. Gerbils are small and lose body heat fast, so a drafty cage or a room below their comfort range can trigger shaking. - Some gerbils have a genetic tendency to seizures triggered by handling, sudden movement, or stress [1]. These episodes look different from a simple shiver. - Shaking with a hunched posture, rough coat, diarrhea, or not eating points to illness and needs a vet visit [2]. - If shaking lasts more than a few minutes, comes with collapse, or the gerbil will not wake up normally, treat it as an emergency. ## What Shaking Looks Like in Gerbils Shaking covers a wide range of movements. A gerbil might have a fine, rapid tremor in the whole body. It might twitch one limb. It might have a brief episode where it loses control, falls to one side, and paddles its legs. Owners often describe these as "shaking," "trembling," or "seizures," and the difference matters. ### Normal shivers and tremors A healthy gerbil can shiver when it is cold, when it first wakes up, or when it is excited about food or a cage mate. These shivers are brief. The gerbil stays upright, aware, and responsive. It moves normally within seconds. Its coat looks smooth, its eyes are bright, and it eats and drinks as usual. ### What a seizure looks like Seizures in gerbils are a recognized problem in this species. Researchers have bred seizure-sensitive and seizure-resistant lines, which shows that the tendency runs in families [1]. A seizure can start with repetitive ear or head movements and progress to a full-body episode with loss of posture [1]. Some gerbils show these signs after a specific trigger, such as handling or a sudden stimulus [1]. The underlying brain chemistry differs between seizure-prone and seizure-resistant gerbils, including lower levels of certain proteins and receptors in brain regions that control excitability [3][4][5][6]. That science matters for one practical reason. If your gerbil has repeated seizure-like episodes, this is a known pattern in the species, not something you caused. ## Main Causes of Shaking in Gerbils | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Cold or draft | Shaking in a cool room, huddling, seeking warmth, normal appetite | Fix the environment today | | Stress or handling | Shaking right after being picked up or moved, settles quickly | Low, adjust handling | | Excitement or new environment | Brief tremor, active and curious, eats normally | Low | | Genetic seizure tendency | Repetitive ear or head movements, then a full episode, often after a trigger [1] | See a vet soon | | Infection such as Tyzzer disease | Depression, rough coat, hunched posture, appetite loss, dehydration, watery diarrhea [2] | Same day | | Salmonella infection | Diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, rough coat, bloated abdomen [2] | Same day, and it can spread to people [2] | | Hypothermia or shock | Cold body, limp, unresponsive, slow breathing | Emergency now | | Pain or injury | Shaking with guarding a limb, reluctance to move, flinching when touched | Same day | ### Cold and temperature stress Gerbils are desert-adapted animals, but they still need a stable, warm environment. A cage near a window, an air vent, or a cold floor can chill a small gerbil quickly. Shivering is the body's attempt to make heat. If you move the cage to a warmer spot and the shaking stops within minutes, cold was likely the cause. ### Stress, handling, and new surroundings Gerbils are prey animals. A new home, a new cage mate, a loud noise, or rough handling can all cause trembling. This kind of shaking usually stops once the gerbil feels safe. Give it a quiet, covered area and time to settle. ### Seizures and the genetic factor Seizure activity in gerbils is not random. Seizure-sensitive gerbils respond to stimulation with repetitive ear and head movements that can build into a generalized seizure, while seizure-resistant gerbils do not [1]. The difference appears to be genetic [1]. Brain studies show lower levels of certain signaling proteins and receptors in seizure-prone gerbils, and repeated seizures appear to change some of these levels over time [3][4][5][6]. This means a gerbil with repeated episodes likely has an inborn tendency, and the episodes may change in frequency as the animal ages. ### Infectious disease Tyzzer disease is the most common infectious disease in gerbils [2]. It is caused by Clostridium piliforme bacteria, and young or stressed gerbils are more likely to get sick [2]. Signs include depression, rough haircoat, hunched posture, loss of appetite, dehydration, and watery diarrhea [2]. Because it is contagious, a sick gerbil should be separated from others, and the cage needs thorough cleaning and disinfection [2]. Salmonella is another concern. Infected gerbils can have diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, a rough coat, a swollen abdomen, or fetal death in a pregnant female [2]. The bacteria spread when food or bedding is contaminated by insects or wild rodents [2]. Salmonella can pass to humans even if the gerbil does not look sick [2]. If you have other pets, some of the same principles apply to different species. Shaking has many causes across animals, as these guides on [why your dog is shaking](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-shaking) and [dog shaking and trembling for no reason](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/dog-shaking-and-trembling-for-no-reason) explain. ### Pain, injury, and hypothermia A gerbil in pain may shake or tremble and hold its body stiffly. A fall, a bite from a cage mate, or a broken limb can all cause this. Hypothermia is more serious. A cold gerbil becomes limp and slow, and shaking may stop as the body loses the ability to generate heat. That is a medical emergency. ## Red Flags That Mean Emergency Call a veterinarian right away if you see any of these. - The gerbil is limp, cold to the touch, or barely responsive. - Shaking lasts more than a few minutes or keeps coming back in clusters. - The gerbil collapses, paddles its legs, or loses control of its body. - Breathing is fast, noisy, or very slow. - There is watery diarrhea, especially with a hunched posture and no eating [2]. - The gerbil has not eaten or drunk for several hours. - The gerbil is bleeding, has a visible wound, or cannot use a limb. - A pregnant female is shaking and appears ill [2]. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While you wait for a vet visit or while you decide whether the shaking is serious, keep your gerbil calm and warm. ### Check the environment first Move the cage out of drafts and away from cold floors. Keep the room at a steady, comfortable temperature. Add extra bedding so the gerbil can burrow. Do not use a heat lamp or heating pad directly against the cage, because a small animal can overheat quickly. ### Handle gently and briefly If handling seems to trigger episodes, keep handling to a minimum until you have talked to a vet [1]. Use a scoop or a small container instead of grabbing the gerbil. Keep the room quiet. ### Separate a sick gerbil If your gerbil has diarrhea, a rough coat, or is not eating, separate it from cage mates [2]. Clean and disinfect the cage thoroughly [2]. Wash your hands well after handling any gerbil, and handle sick gerbils last [2]. ### Offer food and water Offer fresh water and familiar food. Do not force food or water into the mouth, because that can cause choking. If the gerbil is not eating or drinking, that is a reason to see a vet, not a problem to solve at home. ### Keep notes Write down when the shaking happens, how long it lasts, what happened just before, and whether the gerbil stayed aware. This information helps your veterinarian a great deal. ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check Your vet will start with a full physical exam. They will check body temperature, hydration, heart and lung sounds, and body condition. They will look at the coat, eyes, nose, and rear end. They will feel the abdomen for swelling or pain. They will ask about diet, cage setup, cage mates, recent changes, and the pattern of the shaking. Bring your notes. Depending on what they find, they may recommend: - Fecal testing for bacteria or parasites, especially with diarrhea [2] - Blood work to check organ function and hydration - Imaging if injury or a mass is suspected - Injectable fluids under the skin, oral antibiotics, and syringe feeding for weak, dehydrated gerbils with persistent diarrhea that are not eating [2] Treatment depends on the cause. For infectious disease, your vet may prescribe antibiotics and supportive care [2]. For Salmonella, treatment is not recommended, and the focus is isolation and thorough cleaning of the environment [2]. For seizures, your vet will assess how often episodes happen and whether any trigger can be reduced. Any medication dose must be calculated by your veterinarian based on your gerbil's weight and health. Never give a medication made for another pet or for a person. ## Prevention and Monitoring Good husbandry prevents many problems. - Keep the cage clean and dry. Dirty bedding raises the risk of bacterial spread [2]. - Store food in sealed containers and check bedding for signs of insects or wild rodents, since these can contaminate food and bedding with Salmonella [2]. - Keep new gerbils separate for a period before introducing them to residents. - Reduce stress. Stable routines, quiet housing, and gentle handling help. - Watch young and stressed gerbils closely, since they are more likely to get Tyzzer disease [2]. - Track seizure episodes if your gerbil has them. Note frequency, duration, and triggers. If your gerbil has a known seizure tendency, avoid sudden loud noises and rough handling. Some gerbils do well with a calm, predictable routine. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your specific gerbil. Only a veterinarian who examines your pet can do that. Contact a veterinarian the same day if your gerbil is shaking along with a rough coat, hunched posture, appetite loss, dehydration, or watery diarrhea [2]. These signs fit serious infections like Tyzzer disease [2]. Go to an emergency clinic now if your gerbil is limp, cold, unresponsive, struggling to breathe, collapsing, or having repeated seizures without recovering between them. Schedule a routine visit if the shaking is mild but keeps happening, if you are not sure whether episodes are seizures, or if you want guidance on handling and housing. For any suspected poisoning, call poison control right away. In the United States, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is it normal for a gerbil to shake sometimes? Yes, brief shaking can be normal. Cold, excitement, and stress all cause short tremors in an otherwise healthy gerbil. If the gerbil stays alert, eats well, and the shaking stops quickly, it is usually not a concern. ### Can gerbils have seizures? Yes, seizures are a recognized problem in gerbils. Seizure-sensitive lines respond to stimulation with repetitive ear and head movements that can build into a full seizure, and this tendency appears to be genetic [1]. If you think your gerbil is having seizures, have it examined. ### How do I tell shivering from a seizure? A shiver is a fine tremor in an alert gerbil that keeps its normal posture. A seizure involves repetitive ear or head movements, loss of posture, paddling, or a period of confusion afterward [1]. Video recording an episode helps your vet tell the difference. ### Can my gerbil's shaking be caused by something I did? Usually not. Cold, stress, and illness are common causes, and a genetic seizure tendency is not something an owner creates [1]. Focus on a warm, clean, calm environment and get veterinary help if signs persist. ### Should I separate a shaking gerbil from its cage mates? Separate it if it has diarrhea, a rough coat, or is not eating, because contagious disease is possible [2]. Clean and disinfect the cage thoroughly, and wash your hands between handling gerbils [2]. If the shaking is brief and the gerbil is otherwise normal, separation may not be needed, but ask your vet. ## Related Articles - [Dog Shaking Head Causes](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/dog-shaking-head-causes) - [Dog Shaking Head Reasons](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/dog-shaking-head-reasons) - [Why Does My Dog Keep Shaking Her Head](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/why-does-my-dog-keep-shaking-her-head) - [Comprehensive Guide to Head Shaking in Dogs: Causes, Diagnostics, and Treatment](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/dog-head-shaking-master-guide) ## References 1. [Stimulus-induced behavior in F1 hybrids of seizure-sensitive and seizure-resistant gerbils](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14709808/). Zoological science, 2003. 2. [Disorders and Diseases of Gerbils - All Other Pets](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/gerbils/disorders-and-diseases-of-gerbils). Merck Veterinary Manual. 3. [Reduced immunoreactivity of tyrosine hydroxylase in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of the seizure sensitive gerbil](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18628612/). The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2008. 4. [Seizure activity selectively reduces 5-HT1A receptor immunoreactivity in CA1 interneurons in the hippocampus of seizure-prone gerbils](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17493597/). Brain research, 2007. 5. [Seizure activity affects neuroglial Kv1 channel immunoreactivities in the gerbil hippocampus](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17397809/). Brain research, 2007. 6. [Voltage-gated Na+ channel II immunoreactivity is selectively up-regulated in hippocampal interneurons of seizure sensitive gerbils](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18487017/). Neuroscience letters, 2008. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Gerbils](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/gerbils)