Gerbils fighting over food? Anyway to let them be back together?

Question

So, I'm a first time Gerbil-owner, but I have owned other rodents (mainly hamsters.) Recently my gerbils have been fighting, but I always guessed it was play fighting. There has been no squeaking, "Balls of deaths" or anything horrible, it just seems like play. But the other day they fought. I didn't hear any squeaking but I did hear them run over their cage and hitting into the side of it. So I went to check and one of them (Mr.Nubs) had a cut on his back. It wasn't bleeding, but it was red as if it had been. I immediately separated them, and made sure the wound was closed, but I can't do much as Mr.nubs won't stay still. Right now They are seperated, but I realised that they may have been fighting over food. When I went to feed Mr.nubs (I put her in the other cage) She attacked the food as if she wasn't getting fed. I also noticied that Ed was commonly on the pile of where they put their food. Is there anyway I can put them back together (When I have them out together they act nice) and should I do anything else for Nubs?

Update:

Both girls. (Even though they're called Mister and have men names :P)

~Leche flan~ · Accepted Answer

I would give them another bowl for food, but the dominant one may end up protecting two bowls. If you have another cage I would separate them, because you never know when they will fight the next time. It can be when you are not at home.

They probably don't get along well, just like people. Not everyone can get along with each other even if both of them are nice.

You don't need to worry too much about that wound on her back. Little rodents can heal very fast. I usually put a little bit of triple antibiotics (not more than the amount that she can hold one her hand. it's a proportion thing) once a day for 2 or 3 days, so her wound may not get infected. It's alright if she eats it. Triple means that there are three antibiotics used to make the ointment, not triple in strength. Many people actually think that it's triple in strength =(

I like how Audrey thinks, very interesting, but no that's not how it works. Baby powder may cause allergic problem to your pets.

Good luck!

Anonymous · Answer

first off DO NOT PUT IT IN A TANK yes i know the ones at pet stores are in a tank but its less air getting to them so it will be breathing in its pee every time it goes and it wont be able to climb as much and gerbils like all small animals are social so even though you will play with it alot it will be depressed (i know that sounds stupid)while your at school or not home and has a more likely chance to become mean i say get two i have had alot of small animals and read almost every small animal book out there so i know.Get two they are not that hard to play with and they will enjoy having each other as company.

VampireloverXoXo · Answer

is this a boy and girl? if so keep separated so they dont mate! if they are not different sex and have grown up together it could just be them getting rough. sometimes that happens. but its okay they wont hurt hurt eachother they just want to show who is the boss and who is not. depending on the situation you could put them back. but watch them carefully! if they get really mean you will have to do separate cages.

K.L.A.S · Answer

you should get separate feeding dishes and see how if it goes if they continue to fight then they will need to be separated it could be dominance to why they are fighting how old are your gerbils?

gerbildwarfhamsterguineapig · Answer

You could get 2 food bowls, one on one end of the cage and one on the other side. If they keep fighting than separate them.

Anonymous · Answer

You can put them back together if you cover them in baby powder. Get a little container of it and put your gerbils in it and then they will think they are related! easy as pie!

Gerbils fighting over food? Anyway to let them be back together?

6 Answers