Is this normal behavior?

[ajade]

I got my dwarf hamsters 2 days ago from a lady who was giving them away. She said she really didn't have time for them and needed to give them away to someone who does. There are 2 males. The dad and the baby. She brought them over in an aquarium and for the first day everything was fine. They both acted ok. I occasionally put my hand in to get them used to me and by the end of the evening I had picked each one up and things were going good. Last night I decided to clean out the aquarium and give them some fresh bedding, food and water. The lady I got them from gave me all of the things I need plus one of those cages they call a playpen to put them in so they can run around on the floor. I let them stay in that for about an hour or so. I thought it would be good for them to just be able to have all that room to run around and play in. After I cleaned the aquarium I grabbed up the dad and put him back in and then when I went to get the lil one it took me a few. I had a hard time getting ahold of him. He was running all over the place but I finally got him picked up and I placed him in the aquarium. I layed down and woke up about 2am and noticed that the lil one was running all over that aquarium like crazy. He would run around it and then get in the wheel and get out and go around it again. At first I thought nothing of it. The dad was laying down resting while this lil one was runnin like crazy all over the place. I figured he was just really energetic and I just went back to sleep. This morning I wake up and he's still doing it. I took out the wheel thinkin it might help to calm him down and he might relax but he is still running all the way around that aquarium and hasn't really stopped. Now I'm worried. Somethin doesn't feel right. Nothing happened to him. I didn't drop him. I'm the only one in contact with them and I had been checking on them off and on and never noticed anything strange until then. I really hope nothing is wrong with this lil guy. If anyone can give me some help I would greatly appreciate it. He has settled down a bit since then. I have been keeping a close eye on him and noticed he has been eating and drinking water as well. Anything to be worried about?

[hammydude]

Congrats on the new hamsters!!

It sounds like the little one is just really happy with his new home. :D

It may also have to do with the cleaning of the cage, every time I clean my hamsters cage he runs around it crazily all night. I think their just exploring their "new" cage since it's been cleaned and rearanged.

Maybee someone else here with more experience than myself can help you out more than I did.



BTW, why did you clean the cage out after 2 days? It's really only nessecary once a week. :)

[ajade]

Thanks. I am hoping that's all it is. I know it sounds weird about cleaning out the cage that early but I just wanted everything to be clean and fresh for them in their new home. I won't clean it out that soon all the time. When the lady brought them she just said that the bedding was fresh but she didn't say whether or not everything had been cleaned up so I just went ahead and did it. :D

[SnuggleHam]

Ajade, glad you came to join us, Please dont be shy about posting and introduction about yourself :P maybe share some pics of you hams :)



Again Id have to agree with Hammydude, I think hes just having a good time in the new cage. Sometimes there are genetic defects though, For example seeing mice run in circles constantly, But I think your ham is just exploring his new cage.

[Emma]

It does seem like a lot of activity, but may be normal, I know that some hamsters I've had have been very active when I've first bought them home, exploring everywhere for hours, before collapsing in an exhausted heap for ages.



One thing to think about with dwarves though is diabetes, and maniacal activity can be a symptom of that. Other things to look out for are eating, drinking and peeing excessively, and extreme lethargy can be a symptom too. It can become apparent at around 2-3 months of age, do you know how old the little one is?



I'd suggest watching him for a few more days to see if he settles down or displays any other symptoms that could fit with diabetes, and then testing his urine if you're still worried. It seems likely though he's just thoroughly exploring his new home.

[ajade]

Ajade, glad you came to join us, Please dont be shy about posting and introduction about yourself :P maybe share some pics of you hams :)



Again Id have to agree with Hammydude, I think hes just having a good time in the new cage. Sometimes there are genetic defects though, For example seeing mice run in circles constantly, But I think your ham is just exploring his new cage.



Thanks :D ..I'll share more and maybe post some pics of them soon.

[ajade]

It does seem like a lot of activity, but may be normal, I know that some hamsters I've had have been very active when I've first bought them home, exploring everywhere for hours, before collapsing in an exhausted heap for ages.



One thing to think about with dwarves though is diabetes, and maniacal activity can be a symptom of that. Other things to look out for are eating, drinking and peeing excessively, and extreme lethargy can be a symptom too. It can become apparent at around 2-3 months of age, do you know how old the little one is?



I'd suggest watching him for a few more days to see if he settles down or displays any other symptoms that could fit with diabetes, and then testing his urine if you're still worried. It seems likely though he's just thoroughly exploring his new home.





He's almost 2 months old. I will be keeping a close eye on him. He stopped running around and he got some water and ate a little and he has been calm for a while now thank goodness. I haven't noticed any overeating or drinking excessively so that's a good thing. He's had a couple of naps since then. That was just a little weird for me because I have never had a hamster act that way so it got me worried. I've been reading up on them and will definitely keep the diabetes in mind. Hopefully he was just anxious over me cleaning out the cage. Thanks for your help.

[Coco1]

Hi ajade, Hopefully he's doing a bit better now! Maybe its time to just put that wheel back in, they do so love their wheels. Keep an eye on him, but I think the wheel should be fine. :D

[ajade]

Hi ajade, Hopefully he's doing a bit better now! Maybe its time to just put that wheel back in, they do so love their wheels. Keep an eye on him, but I think the wheel should be fine. :D





Hi there. I put the wheel back in a while ago and dad and son are sleeping. He has been acting his normal self. Thanks! :)

[Coco1]

OK! Great, glad to hear he's doing good :lol:

[babyboos]

That is great news - sounds like they have not been cleaned for a while to be honest to get such a strong reaction from your new little one. Do they have a sand bath? If not I would really recommend it as a priority purchase :D By putting the dad in first he will also have laid his scent down on the tank first. Your little one is getting mature and wants to make his mark on his environment too, hence the frantic running around jumping on and off things such as the wheel. He doesn't know where to go first and looks a bit manic for a while.

[ajade]

I wouldn't be surprised if the lady wasn't able to clean out the aquarium for a lil while. I'm glad I was able to take them from her so they can get the love and care they need. I will be buying some things for them soon and a sand bath is one of them. Thanks to all of yall for the great help and advice. It made me feel much better. :D

[Emma]

Glad it sounds like he's settling down.



For a sand bath the cheapest options are a medium-sized food bowl (perhaps the size you'd use for a guinea-pig or rabbit), or even cheaper (free!), a large empty jar thoroughly washed out, dried, and placed on it's side.



I've just started a poll thread about sand baths to see other people's opinions, so hopefully there might be some ideas there soon too.

[babyboos]

I wouldn't be surprised if the lady wasn't able to clean out the aquarium for a lil while. I'm glad I was able to take them from her so they can get the love and care they need. I will be buying some things for them soon and a sand bath is one of them. Thanks to all of yall for the great help and advice. It made me feel much better. :D



Oh that is what is what we are here for :oops: Keep us posted Ajade :D