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My gerbil's nose is sore and bleeding from chewing. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Exotic | Unknown - Exotic | Female | 7 months and 18 days old

My gerbil has a very sore and red nose. It’s bleeding a little and she seems to be pawing or scratching it. We can’t really afford a vet visit, but I want some advice. She had a food bowl she was chewing on and left a sharp point on it, so it was replaced. I noticed this tonight while I was changing her food bowl

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 23rd, 2017

That could be just an injury but it could also be the start of a tumor.

Gerbils kept in a wire cage will often spend hours chewing on the cage bars, and this will rub off fur and irritate the nose. The simplest solution to do is keep your gerbil in an aquarium with glass sides. Glad you changed the bowl. I hope you got one that is ceramic or glass - that way she can't chew it. Do you have chew blocks for her?

http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/our-products/hay/harvest-stacks-western-timothy-with-carrots

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/you-and-me-wood-chew-sticks-for-small-animals

She may need a better diet. I don't know what you are feeding her but I suggest you use a premium diet like Oxbow. This may curb her chewing on other things.

https://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/food-treats-and-hay/food/oxbow-essentials-healthy-handfuls-hamster-and-gerbil-food-5173696.html

I, of course, would recommend you take Yuki to a vet for an exam. If you don't want to do that just yet I suggest you just monitor the nose for now. Do not apply anything to the nose topically because Yuki will just lick it off and ingesting those topical medications would not be good for her.

Hope this helps. Best wishes!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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