Sneezing and Coughing

Your gerbil may have a cold if you notice any sneezing or coughing.

Colds are caused by too much moisture, drafts, too much dust, or poor sanitation. If your gerbil has a cold, clean and move the cage to a better location. Perhaps place a heating pad (on low) or lamp over one corner of the cage to give your gerbil warmth (careful not to overheat the cage and cause heat stroke).

The gerbil must be kept warm and dry so pneumonia doesn’t set in. If your gerbil is having trouble breathing, but may have already caught pneumonia.

Contact your vet immediately and separate it from its cagemates if you think this is the case.

If not just make sure all food and water are in easy reach for the gerbil.