With summer finally here, many pet owners are looking for ways to keep their furry friends cool. But do gerbils like to swim?

Yes, they do. Gerbils are attracted to water and love to play in it. When they are in the water, they paddle with their front legs and steer with their hind legs. They can hold their breath for a long time, so they do not have to come up for air very often.

Gerbils also like to drink a lot of water, so they need to be near a water source at all times.

If you have a gerbil, make sure that there is always fresh water available for them to drink.

Here’s how you can help your little buddy stay safe and cool in the water this summer.

Do Gerbils Swim in The Wild?

Gerbils are desert animals, so they don’t swim in the wild. However, they are able to swim and many people enjoy watching their gerbils play in the water.

If you have a pet gerbil, you can give them a shallow dish of water to play in.

Just be sure to supervise them so that they don’t drink too much or get too wet.

According to World Travel Guide, the gerbil’s original habitat is rather dry. The majority of the country is covered by the steppe. This grassland has few trees and a lot of bushes and grass. Because there is little water, gerbils seldom come into contact with it. There aren’t many rivers in Mongolia, compared to other countries. (2)

Do Gerbils Swim in Captivity?

Yes, gerbils can swim in captivity, but they don’t really enjoy it. Gerbils are desert animals and are not used to being in the water.

If you do decide to let your gerbil swim, make sure the water is not too deep and that there is a way for them to get out easily.

Do Gerbils Drown?

No, they cannot. Gerbils are able to hold their breath for up to three minutes which gives them plenty of time to escape from any body of water they may fall into.

However, if a gerbil is submerged for an extended period, it will eventually drown.

Do Gerbils Like to Swim?

Some gerbils may enjoy swimming while others may not be as fond of it. Ultimately, it is up to each gerbil to decide whether or not they enjoy swimming.

If your gerbil does seem interested in swimming, you can always try placing them in a shallow bath of water and see how they react.

However, be sure to closely supervise your gerbil if they are in the water, as they could drown if left unattended.

If you do not think your gerbil would enjoy swimming or if you are concerned about their safety, it is probably best to avoid letting them near water altogether.

Can baby gerbils swim?

No, baby gerbils cannot swim. If they fall into the water, they will drown. Gerbils are not good swimmers because their bodies are not built for it.

They have short legs and long body, which makes it difficult for them to move through the water. Their fur is also very dense, which makes it hard for them to stay afloat.

Why my Gerbil doesn’t like to swim?

There are a few reasons why gerbils might not enjoy swimming.

• They are small animals and can easily get tired from all the paddling.
• Gerbils have very sensitive skin and fur, which can make them uncomfortable in the water.
• Gerbils are naturally timid creatures and may be scared of going into deep or unfamiliar waters.

Does swimming make gerbils stressed?

Swimming is a traumatic experience for gerbils, which is why you should never force them to swim.

They dislike water and are afraid of it, therefore they would never go swimming unless their life depends on it, which is understandable given that after a swim they will feel anxious.

This does not imply that gerbils will be anxious if you use a little water to wash their fur in an emergency (in case of necessity), however, a full immersion will stress them out considerably.

If you own a gerbil and you’re considering taking it swimming, think again. It’s not worth stressing your furry friend out just for the sake of it.

There are plenty of other activities you can do together that will be much more enjoyable for both of you.

Gerbil Swimming Studies

It’s debatable whether a gerbil can ever enjoy swimming. However, it has been determined if gerbils are harmed by excessive swimming. The FST test, also known as the “forced swim test,” is a procedure that includes a lot of swimming.

The purpose of the test, according to Scientific American, is to induce sadness in lab animals. This is unquestionably a harsh thing to do, although scientists might argue that it is acceptable to research depression. However, many gerbil FST tests have been done.

What happens is that the gerbil is placed into a tank where it cannot feel the bottom with its feet. It floats in water and must swim. The scientist gives the lab animal an anti-depressant drug and counts how long it takes for the animal to become stressed or unhappy. (1)

Conclusion – Can Gerbils Swim?

Gerbils can swim and they can stay afloat by using their tails as rudders. Their fur also helps them to stay warm in the water. Gerbils have been known to travel long distances in water, so they are definitely not limited to land-based activities.