Can You Use Neosporin On Gerbils? {Is It Safe?}

Are you concerned about applying Neosporin on your gerbil? Will they ingest it and get sick? In this article, we’ll discuss if Neosporin can be safely used on gerbils.

Can You Use Neosporin On Gerbils? Yes, but try to apply it in small amounts and mostly in areas that are away from the face or areas where gerbils can groom it off and ingest it. You can also spritz it in a bottled mixture with salt water as a topical treatment in sensitive areas. Apply Neosporin a maximum of twice per day.

Will Neosporin Hurt Gerbils?

Neosporin is sold as an antibacterial product in ointment form. It contains three main ingredients that aid in the healing process:

• bacitracin
• neomycin
• polymyxin B

This product is available without a prescription and origianlly intended for humans only. Veterinarian practices also recommend Neosporin on pets, including gerbils.

Neosporin will not hurt your gerbil in small doses. Apply the ointment sparingly in the small dabs twice a day.

Can You Use Neosporin on Your Gerbil?

Yes. Neosporin is deemed to safe in small quantities for gerbils, rodents and plenty of other pets. You can use it to treat many conditions including the following:

• small cuts
• scrapes
• burns
• wounded tails
• chapped nose

Be careful to not overapply Neosporin in sensitive areas where your gerbil can easily reach and lick at it. If they ingest too much of it, there could be harmful effects.

It’s best to mix it into a salt water solution in a spray bottle and carefully spritz it on the nose or other easy to reach areas.

Is Neosporin Safe for Gerbils?

It’s always best to consult with a professional before deciding to apply Neosporin on your gerbil. You may not need to resort to this option unless otherwise stated by a vet.

Keep Neosporin away from your gerbil’s eyes, ears and mouth. A very small amount of ingested Neosporin with your gerbil grooming it off its body is acceptable.

Stop the use of Neosporin on your gerbil if you notice the following:

• excessive itching
• increased redness
• swelling
• heavy breathing
• loss of appetite
• upset stomach

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Should I Use Neosporin On My Gerbil’s Wound?

If your gerbil accidentally got hurt or was in a fight with another gerbil, you may notice a wound.

1. Apply pressure with a gauze to stop any bleeding. 
2. Check for any other wounds. 
3. Rinse the area with saline solution using a squirting syringe.
4. Don’t touch the wound.
5. Clean the wound with small amount of iodine.
6. Apply a very tiny dab of Neosporin with a Q-tip or cotton swab. 

Can You Put Antibiotic Ointment on a Gerbil?

If your gerbil has an irritation or wound, it’s best to find out what may have caused it. Here are a few possible reasons:

• dry climate causing chapped skin or nose
• aggression with another gerbil
• accidental fall or scrape
• irritation from bedding

Make sure the bedding doesn’t irritate your gerbil. Neosporin is an ointment product that has antibacterial properties suitable in very small quantities to help your gerbil recover. Try not to exceed two applications of antibiotic ointment per day.

How Do You Treat An Injured Gerbil?

There are many ways a gerbil can get injured. We create safe spaces for them to play and rest, but we also enjoy taking them out of their habitat to enjoy our living spaces as well. Accidents happen and injuries can be treated.

The specific injury will indicate the right method of treatment. Consulting a vet and doing your research before medicating your gerbil is the best course of action.

Topical antiseptics and antibiotics like Neosporin can be applied after any open wounds or irritations are cleaned. Vets also prescribe painkillers and other oral medications as they see fit under the circumstances relating to your injured gerbil.

Should I Use Neosporin On My Gerbil’s Red Nose?

The scent gland and nose area can get chapped, scabbed or irritated. It may become inflamed, but applying Neosporin will be very tricky. We do not want to block the nostrils or end up with the ointment getting licked off.

Start with petroleum jelly on a cotton swab or Q-tip. Neosporin is not safe for consumption in doses above a tiny dab. Avoid it on the nose if you can.

When Should I Use Neosporin On My Gerbil?

The best case scenario is that your gerbil’s wounded area has scabbed and needs some assistance at the final stage of healing. If the area is unreachable, meaning that your gerbil cannot groom it off or ingest it, then apply Neosporin twice a day to speed up healing.

If you want a scab to fall of on its own, a sand bath could help as well. Your gerbil can play and clean itself in the sand to aid in the scab falling off.

Why Is Neosporin Not Safe For Gerbils?

Neosporin is not safe in high doses or applications that equal the same amount we use on ourselves. Here are four reasons why you should carefully consider using Neosporin on your gerbil.

• Neosporin is formulated for humans
• Bacitracin is harmful and potentially toxic at moderate doses if ingested by small rodents. 
• Long-term use of Neosporin could be harmful to their kidneys.
• Oral antibiotics prescribed by a vet could be the safer option. 

Conclusion

We hope you are able to determine whether or not you need to use Neosporin on your gerbil today. Small doses that look like the tiniest dab at the end of a Q-tip could be recommended by a professional to speed the healing process. Try to keep the ointment from areas that can be easily licked off.

 

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