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What sounds do gerbils make and what do they mean?
Gerbils say a lot, but you only hear part of it. Burgess notes that most rodent sounds are too high pitched for people to pick up. The sounds you can hear are the thump of the back feet, chirps, squeaks, yips and a soft purr made with the teeth. Gerbils live in family groups, so many of these sounds are aimed at each other rather than at you.
| Sound | What it sounds like | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thumping | Rapid drumming of the back feet, slow or fast | Alarm; sometimes excitement or mating | Check for a scare |
| Chirp | Short, high, bright call | Wants attention, play, food or a stroke | Answer it |
| Purr | Low rumble with jaw movement and a small vibration | Happy and relaxed | Keep doing what you are doing |
| Yip | Short yip while bouncing on the back feet | Ready to play, or expecting dinner | Play or feed |
| Squeak while exploring | Light, quiet squeaks | Chatter between gerbils | Nothing |
| Loud, frequent squeaks | Repeated, urgent squeaking | An argument, or fear | Watch for fighting |
| Sharp squeak when held | Single, sudden squeak | Held too tight, or pain | Loosen your grip; check for injury |
| Clicking with breaths | Click as they breathe in and out | Possible respiratory infection | See a vet |
| Sneezing | Small sneezes | Possible respiratory infection | See a vet |
| Wheel, digging, chewing | Rumbling and scratching, often at night | Normal activity | Nothing |
The table draws on the RSPCA, Burgess, the American Gerbil Society, VCA, Chewy and The Vet Desk. Our guide to gerbil behaviour and body language covers the postures that go with these sounds.
Why does my gerbil thump its back feet?
Most often to raise the alarm. The RSPCA explains that if a gerbil perceives a threat, it thumps its hind feet rapidly and the group retreats into the burrow. Burgess says the same: a gerbil that senses danger thumps its rear feet to warn the rest of the community. Chewy notes that once one gerbil thumps, the others tend to follow, and some owners say a group sounds like a drum circle.
It is not always fear. The RSPCA says thumping can also happen with excitement and other strong emotions, and VCA says gerbils thump when excited or frightened. The American Gerbil Society lists three reasons: a warning about danger, an aggressive signal telling another gerbil to back off, and sexual excitement before mating. Crittery also mentions both fright and sexual excitement.
- Look for the trigger. A pet near the tank, a loud noise or a sudden movement overhead are the usual causes. The RSPCA says gerbils assume they are in danger when they hear loud or threatening noises.
- Keep still and quiet. Let them settle in their burrows rather than reaching in.
- Check the mix. If a male and female share a tank, thumping can mean mating. Make sure your group is single sex or neutered.
- Think about the spot. If thumping happens often in a calm room, the tank may be somewhere too busy. Move it somewhere quieter.
Why does my gerbil purr or vibrate when I hold it?
Because it is content. Burgess explains that gerbils make a low, rumbling noise similar to a cat's purr by grinding their teeth rather than using their voice box, so you may see the jaw move and feel small vibrations. If your gerbils vibrate or purr when you stroke them, Burgess says, they are very happy and relaxed. Chewy describes the same purring vibrations while an owner holds a gerbil.
The Vet Desk notes that some people call this sound teeth chattering. The difference is the body: a purring gerbil sits loose and calm in your hand. A gerbil that is tense, struggling or squeaking sharply is not purring, and wants to be put down. Our guide on how to tame and handle a gerbil explains how to get to the purring stage.
Why is my gerbil chirping?
To get your attention. Burgess describes the chirp as a distinct high-pitched noise young gerbils make to call their mothers, and says adult gerbils may chirp to ask for play, food or petting, which also shows they trust you. Burgess adds that a yip while bouncing on the back feet means a gerbil is ready to play, or expecting something good, like dinner.
Why is my gerbil squeaking?
It depends on how loud and how often. Burgess says only that squeaking is high pitched, loud and easy for people to hear. Chewy describes squeaking as how gerbils vocalise during arguments, and says it varies from light squeaks while exploring to louder squeaks during social contact. The Vet Desk lists fighting, pain, friendly talk while eating together, and excitement, and says a sharp squeak can mean you are holding a gerbil too tightly or it is hurt.
Why are my gerbils squeaking and fighting?
Most squeaky scuffles are about rank and settle quickly. The Vet Desk describes fighting squeaks as louder and more frequent, and Crittery warns that fighting between gerbils can be extremely serious. Short wrestles are part of group life, but a real fight is a reason to act at once.
- Short squeaky wrestles that end with the gerbils grooming or sleeping together: normal.
- One gerbil chasing another round the tank without stopping: watch closely.
- Rolling, locked fights with loud squeaking: separate now.
- Any blood, bites on the tail or rump, or one gerbil hiding all the time: separate now.
Slide a piece of card or a divider between them rather than using your hands. Our guide to gerbil pairs and split cages explains what to do next.
Which gerbil noises mean you should see a vet?
Breathing noises and sneezing. The Vet Desk says gerbils click when they have a respiratory infection, a sound you hear as they breathe in and out, and lists wheezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and a poor appetite as signs to take them to the vet. VCA says a gerbil that is sneezing may have a respiratory infection, and that one sitting quietly in a corner may be sick.
A sharp, urgent squeak that keeps coming, especially when you touch one spot, can mean pain and also needs a vet. Our gerbil health guide covers the other signs, and VCA recommends finding a vet familiar with gerbils.
Why are my gerbils so noisy at night?
Mostly because of what they do, not what they say. VCA warns that gerbils run on exercise wheels relentlessly at night, and gerbils also dig, tunnel, chew and rearrange bedding through the dark hours. A thump or two after dark usually means something startled one of them. If the noise keeps you awake, move the tank to a quieter room, and check the wheel is solid, large enough and not rattling. The RSPCA notes gerbils can get sore feet from some wheels. Our guides to gerbil cage setup and complete gerbil care cover a quieter, better layout.
Questions owners ask
Why does my gerbil thump its back feet?
Most often because it has sensed danger and is warning the others. The RSPCA says a gerbil that perceives a threat thumps its hind feet rapidly and the group retreats into the burrow. Thumping can also mean excitement or, in adults, readiness to mate. One thump often sets off the rest of the group.
Why does my gerbil vibrate when I hold it?
Usually because it is purring. Burgess explains that gerbils make a low, rumbling purr by grinding their teeth rather than using their voice, so you may see the jaw move and feel small vibrations. If your gerbil vibrates while relaxed in your hand, it is very happy. A gerbil that trembles while trying to escape is a different story.
Why are my gerbils squeaking at each other?
Usually they are arguing over rank, space or food. Chewy says squeaking is how gerbils vocalise during arguments, and The Vet Desk says fighting squeaks are louder and more frequent. Short spats are normal. Constant chasing, squeaking that does not settle, fur loss or any blood means separate them with a divider straight away.
Do gerbils make sounds humans cannot hear?
Yes. Burgess says most rodent sounds are too high pitched for people to hear, so gerbils say far more to each other than you will ever notice. The sounds you can hear, such as thumps, chirps, squeaks and purrs, are only part of the conversation. This is one reason gerbils startle easily at loud noises.
Are gerbils noisy at night?
They can be, mostly from activity rather than voice. VCA notes that gerbils run on exercise wheels relentlessly at night, and you will also hear digging, chewing and the odd thump. A quiet spare room is often the best place for the cage if you are a light sleeper.
Why is my gerbil clicking?
If the clicking comes as your gerbil breathes in and out, it can be a sign of a respiratory infection, The Vet Desk says. Listen for wheezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing or a poor appetite too. VCA also says a sneezing gerbil may have a respiratory infection. Book a vet who sees gerbils.
