Checking for Overweight Gerbils

[Die Fledermaus]

At the health club they can check body fat with calipers or with some electronic gizmo that sends electricity through your feet. I also know that "normal" for people can vary a lot, even besides body fat to muscle ratios.

Petey the gerb has always been big. There are some I am looking at suspiciously as they are now just over two years old. In fact, it was almost two years ago I got my first six gerbils from a breeder: Chrissie, Crystal, Tommy, Dill, Cliffy, and Phil. Dill seems "bigger" lately.

So, is there any way to check for abnormal size in a gerb, and excessive fat tissue? Or do I merely guesstimate with a pinch around the middle?

[jeannie]

I use a kitchen gram scale that I ordered just to weight everybody - it's a great way to monitor their weight, so you get a sense of when somebody is not feeling well.

[Die Fledermaus]

I'd better get a scale. But I wonder about weight variances owing to age, either up or down.

If I had time I'd run them around more in play bins. . .
if only. . .

Dill looks too big and soft in the middle; he has also gotten very calm and docile, which I hope is a reflection of his relations with me other than some malady. I assume so.

[jeannie]

After what I've seen in recent months, I would be more worried about gerbils losing weight. A big gerbil is probably just fine - and is just starting to getting up there, with a slowing metabolism, and mellowing out.

[Die Fledermaus]

I suppose. They are a mellow bunch now, the Gang of Four. I let Tommy climb all over my back yesterday, right after Sam did. He had a nice time sniffing away at the fragrant remnants of Sam.