	AllExperts > Gerbils & Hamsters
	Search

About Heather S
Expertise
***PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BEFORE ASKING, IT WILL SAVE US BOTH TIME AND FRUSTRATION***

NO DWARF OR GERBIL QUESTIONS I REPEAT NO DWARF OR GERBIL QUESTIONS!I CAN'T answer them, even if I'm the only expert available. I specialize in SYRIAN HAMSTERS ONLY like black bears, goldens, teddies, and more. I'm an experienced breeder and raised hamsters for the past 10 years. I can help with how to buy your first, how to house and care for your hamster, nutrition, showing, and other general questions. I can help with most behavioral problems too. I am the longest running hamster expert on this page, since 2001.
***I WILL NOT answer questions regarding:

Gerbils

Dwarf hamsters(Robo and Russian are dwarfs!!)

Taming

Illness, Cause Of Death, or "My hamster is dying please help me" I can't fix your hamster. If your hamster has a broken leg PLEASE TAKE IT TO A VET don't bother asking a question to anyone because we obviously can't repair it, we don't like the animals to suffer. If you can't take the time to read this then I don't take the time to read your question and may write you a rude response because your too impatient to read!***

Experience
I have worked with hamsters all my life.

Education/Credentials
NONE AT ALL

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Gerbils & Hamsters > Hamster Behaviour

Gerbils & Hamsters - Hamster Behaviour

Expert: Heather S - 6/28/2009

Question
Dear Heather;

I have my hamster for already 10 months, he has always been
lazy and i understand it is normal. However lately it is
just very concerning as he just sleeps (im awake every night
until 5-6 and my girlfriend wakes at 9 and we hardly ever
see him play. When he does wake up he seems very low on
energy until we put him in the bed and play with him then he
get hyper, but 10 min later of putting him on his ball he
comes under our bed and falls asleep. after a while we put
him back in his cage to drink, eat and do his stuff but just
goes stright to sleep. this behaviour seems to be
continuing. We have booked an apointment with the vet on
tuesday but we will like a second opinion.

Thanks in advance, I know similar questions have been asked.

Answer
It's hard to say, but I'm guessing you have the hamster in your room with you. Whenever someone has a hamster in their room, the lights and noises will change the hamsters sleeping pattern. Instead of being awake when he should be at night, since you are up so late the hamster as likely now switched to sleeping more at night and being awake during the day. Also some hamsters sleep most of their days anyway, only waking up to eat and play a little, it's nothing to worry about.

I'd put him in a quiet unused room like a guest room or basement for a few weeks and watch what happens. When I did this my hamster started waking up earlier in the evening, and started having a normal sleep pattern. It's fun to have a hamster in the bedroom or living room, but if you use those rooms when the hamster should be sleeping, it just makes it harder for them to get refreshing rest. They need dark and quiet just like the rest of us. The little guy might just need a few days of peace and quiet.

Ask a Question