Really need your help here guys. Gerbil fight.

[imjessiegee]

So anyway, I posted yesterday about a gerbil fight. A few months ago, I got two gerbils from the same litter from Pets at Home. They're around 5 months now and I've had them since 5th may. Yesterday, I cleaned their cage like normal however, the cage their in had two of my other gerbils in it.l previously whilst moving them into another cage.

I forgot to clean one of the levels. So, I cleaned the cage out like that and put my two in it. I left to visit my dad and about 15 minutes when I got back I found one of my gerbils (white one called Salt) in the jar I got them. I thought nothing of it until she didn't move. Then I saw the other (pepper) and the both of them gave each other a sniff and walked away. It wasn't until I picked up salt that I saw the blood.

So anyway, I cleaned them both up and they had slight little cuts just on their lip and under their arm/paw. And I separated them for the night via different cages. I've just put them in the bath together just now and they kept sniffing each other including the butt and walking around the tub. They kept touching mouths and reversing up next too each other and then they changed their minds and then salt fell asleep whilst pepper got on top of her and fell asleep for 5 minutes. They woke up and then salt fell asleep again and pepper got on top of her and started biting her back etc grooming I think.

I've put them back in their separate cages and have no idea what to do. When I keep looking in at pepper and she keeps sleeping in the jar I gave them in.

Help.

[snowballandnugget]

It sounds similar to what my girls went through...there was an unusual smell in the house which caused the spat. Since they were comfortable sleeping together again and grooming, I'd get them back into the same tank that has been completely cleaned and with fresh bedding as soon as possible.

[imjessiegee]

How long did it take? I mean, mines keep getting beside each other and sniffing and it's like 'HOLD YOURE BREATH THEY DONT FIGHT' haha

[snowballandnugget]

After separating them for a day, I took then into my bathroom, and put them in the empty tub with a box at the ready just incase they fought. They sniffed each other then just carried on exploring the tub. I didn't really breathe a sigh of relief until they were curled up sleeping together.

[imjessiegee]

They're curled up sleeping in they're cleaned out cage. I'm worried I'm gonna find them bloodied again ?

[snowballandnugget]

Unfortunately there is no way of knowing 100% of they will it won't fight. Best thing to do is just to make sure that there are no more scents from other gerbil-items entering their cage. Unless you wanted to split them up permanently in a split tank....

[imjessiegee]

Would rather not.

[imjessiegee]

They're first night was successful, whenever I leave the house I think I'll just put on in a different cage maybe? Just to be sure.

[snowballandnugget]

I'm not sure if splitting them up on a daily basis is a good idea...I would just continue to keep a very close eye on them in one tank....the smell of the other gerbils is what set the spat off....since the smell is gone, they should be ok. *fingers crossed*

[imjessiegee]

Well, that's been two days since I put them back and they're still grooming each other. I'm keeping a closer eye than you think! I'm always head over their cage just watching haha. Thanks for your help.

[snowballandnugget]

Yay!! That's awesome!! Happy to help!!