How Long Can Gerbils Go Without Drinking Water?
Have you ever forgotten to change your gerbil’s water or worried about them getting thirsty while you’re away? If you’re a caring gerbil owner, you must be curious about how long gerbils can go without drinking water and how to ensure their hydration needs. In this article, I’ll share some of my experiences and knowledge to help you better take care of your gerbils.
What Are Gerbils?
Gerbils are rodents belonging to the Gerbilidae family. They are originally from dry and semi-arid regions in Africa and Asia, showcasing strong adaptability. With their small size, diverse fur colors, and lively personalities, gerbils are popular pets. Gerbils possess unique physiological features that allow them to survive for a certain period without a water source. This is due to their efficient kidney function that minimizes water loss. However, it doesn’t mean gerbils don’t need water; they still require daily water intake to avoid dehydration symptoms and potential life-threatening situations.
Gerbils’ Drinking Habits
Gerbils need 5-10 milliliters of water per day, depending on factors like weight, food, and environment. Typically, an adult gerbil weighs between 60-120 grams, so their daily water requirement ranges from 6-12 milliliters. Gerbils primarily obtain water through water bottles, so it’s crucial to ensure the water is clean, free of impurities and bacteria, and that the bottle opening is suitable for gerbil size, preventing difficulties or water wastage. You can also provide water-rich foods like fresh fruits and vegetables to increase their water intake, offering both hydration and nutritional benefits. However, avoid excessive watery foods, as it might lead to digestive discomfort or impact their appetite for dry food.
How Long Can Gerbils Survive Without Water?
Under normal conditions, gerbils can survive 2-3 days without a water source by utilizing their internal water reserves to maintain basic physiological functions. Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply that you can leave your gerbils without water for an extended period, as it can severely affect their health, even leading to fatalities. If gerbils go beyond 3 days without water, they exhibit severe dehydration symptoms such as sunken eyes, lethargy, and dry skin. Appetite decreases, activity levels drop, and urine becomes darker. If left without water, gerbils can survive for approximately a week before succumbing to dehydration. Therefore, it’s crucial to provide clean water consistently and prevent dehydration.
Environmental Factors Affecting Gerbils’ Water Needs
Gerbils’ water requirements are influenced by environmental temperatures. In higher temperatures, gerbils lose more water through respiration and skin evaporation. Therefore, maintaining the cage temperature between 18-24 degrees Celsius is essential, avoiding extremes. Monitor the humidity in the cage, ideally maintaining it between 40-60%, preventing both dryness and excessive moisture. Dry conditions may lead gerbils to feel thirsty, requiring more water, while overly humid conditions can make them uncomfortable and prone to illness.
Dealing with Gerbils Not Drinking Water
If you notice your gerbil isn’t drinking water or is drinking very little, consider the following reasons:
Dirty water bottle with impurities or bacteria, discouraging gerbils from drinking.
Inappropriately sized bottle opening, either too large or too small, making it difficult for gerbils to drink or causing water wastage.
Unsuitable water temperature, too hot or too cold, making gerbils reluctant to drink.
Gerbil food with excessive water content, making them feel less thirsty and unwilling to drink water.
Gerbils feeling unwell, possibly due to illness or infection, affecting their water consumption.
If your gerbil isn’t drinking water, take these measures:
Ensure an adequate supply of clean water, changing the water in the bottle daily, and regularly cleaning the bottle to prevent impurities or bacteria.
Provide a suitable water bottle with an opening that fits the gerbil’s mouth, neither too large nor too small, ensuring easy access to water without waste.
Maintain an appropriate water temperature, generally at room temperature, avoiding extremes to encourage gerbils to drink.
Offer a balanced amount of water-rich foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, ensuring hydration without compromising their appetite for dry food. Pay attention to the freshness of the food to prevent spoilage or mold.
Create a quiet and comfortable environment, minimizing stress factors that could affect gerbils’ water-drinking desires.
Seek veterinary assistance if your gerbil shows signs of dehydration or other abnormal behaviors like vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Avoid administering human medications or other methods without professional guidance, as it may worsen their condition or endanger their lives.
Encouraging Gerbils to Drink Water
If you observe that your gerbil isn’t drinking enough water or is doing so irregularly, consider the following factors:
Inappropriate placement of the water bottle, either too high or too low, making it inconvenient for gerbils to drink or challenging to notice the bottle.
Inadequate water bottle capacity, either too large or too small, resulting in insufficient water consumption or easy deterioration of water quality.
Unsuitable water bottle material, either too hard or too soft, making it uncomfortable for gerbils to drink or causing bottle damage.
Inappropriate water bottle shape, either too round or too square, hindering smooth drinking or causing bottle overturning.
To encourage your gerbils to drink more regularly, take these steps:
Regularly change and clean the water bottle to ensure cleanliness, free from impurities, bacteria, odor, or discoloration, making it more appealing to gerbils.
Provide a suitable water bottle placement that aligns with the gerbil’s height, neither too high nor too low, facilitating easy access and discovery. Ensure the bottle’s capacity meets the gerbil’s needs, avoiding excessive or insufficient amounts to prevent water wastage or deterioration. Choose a water bottle material that suits the gerbil’s preferences, not too hard or too soft, ensuring comfort and durability. Select a water bottle shape that aligns with gerbil habits, not too round or too square, promoting smooth drinking without the risk of overturning or leaking.
Offer water-rich foods like fresh fruits and vegetables to increase gerbils’ water intake, providing both hydration and nutritional value. However, be cautious not to offer excessive watery foods that might cause digestive issues or affect their appetite for dry food.
Maintain an appropriate water temperature, generally at room temperature, to make water more appealing to gerbils. Adjust the water temperature according to seasonal and temperature changes, such as providing cool water in summer for a refreshing experience or warm water in winter for comfort.
Avoid excessively dry environments, keeping the cage humidity between 40-60% to ensure gerbils feel comfortable without experiencing excessive thirst or discomfort.
In Conclusion
Understanding gerbils’ hydration needs is crucial for providing proper care. Always offer clean water, monitor their drinking habits closely, and ensure their well-being. If you notice your gerbil isn’t drinking water or shows signs of dehydration, take prompt action or seek veterinary assistance to prevent their suffering. To encourage your gerbil to drink more regularly, implement measures such as providing suitable water bottles, offering water-rich foods, maintaining an optimal water temperature, and ensuring a comfortable environment. This ensures your gerbils remain happy while maintaining a healthy water balance.
