Obsessive Pacing

[Eriklover555]

Ever since I got JJ, she's been exhibiting weird pacing-like behavior. She will run in a straight line back and forth, sometimes for hours. I assumed she wasn't getting enough out of cage play time, so I let her free range around my room for an hour at a time, some times up to five hours of play time in one day - she still paces obsessively.

I tried putting objects in her "path" to break up the behavior, but she will go over or around the object and make a new "path." She has run furrows into her bedding everyday.

According to the vet, there is nothing physically wrong with her; I'm worried it might be a neurological problem - I heard pacing can be a sign of something? If anyone with more experience could give me some ideas, I'd be truly grateful.

[Eriklover555]

No one has any ideas? I'm very worried about her, as she will pace to exhaustion - literally until she collapses.

[slatted]

I have to say it sounds neurological to me too but I am far from an expert.

So she just paces, does not play with toys or run in a wheel then?

Does nothing at all distract her?

Does she do this every day and have you noted any triggers?

[Amethyst_ice]

It could be neurological , hopefully when it gets to AM in the UK people will be able to help more. Soudns liek you are doing what you can xxx

[gutterglitterxx]

Does she use her wheel too? Or only exhibits this behavior? Does she play normally when out of her cage?

[Gazmo]

i dont raelly know have you got a hamster ball?

[Littlefurryfriends]

Hi I found this info on the net.

Star Gazing
What is Star Gazing?
Some lines of hamsters seem to produce hamsters with behavioural disorders. They are often termed as a neurological disorder or simply as Star Gazing. The term ‘Star Gazing’ itself comes from a behaviour that causes the hamster to stand on their hind legs, gaze upward (toward the stars) and either flip over or fall on their back; this behaviour is often repeated and is compulsive and involuntary, meaning they cannot control this behaviour. Also included under this term are behaviours such as compulsive spinning and pacing. No one knows for certain what causes these issues to pop up, but they are largely believed to be genetic. These behaviours can have varying causes however, not all of them being genetic.

Symptoms
Compulsive pacing -- when a hamster is found to be pacing back and forth along the cage constantly.

Owners of these hamsters seem to agree that hamsters that suffer with this are greatly impacted by stress, leading to their behaviours to increase in severity and regularity. It is recommended that these hamsters are not subjected to unneeded stress.
Instead of doing a full cage cleaning, try to do partial cage cleanings so that their whole cage isn’t disturbed at once. If a full cage cleaning must be done than be sure to leave several handfuls of the old substrate and sprinkle it around their cage so that their home doesn’t smell quite so strange to your hamster.
Keep the layout of the cage similar or the same, as this will help to reduce the stress of a new environment. While this wouldn’t normally bother a hamster, even the smallest things can cause stress or excitement to a hamster that suffers from these compulsive behaviours.
On top of reducing stress, a large one level cage is recommended so that the hamster has room to spin (or whatever the particular behaviour might be) without risk of falling or having to climb ramps or tubes.
A variety of toys and things to do in the cage can help to keep them from becoming bored and to attempt them to divert at least from the frequency of their behaviour.
The cage should be in a room that is quiet and free from too much excitement, activity or noise.

I hope this helps a little but if your hamster has always paced it would be genetic nothing anyone could do anything about sadly. I'm sure JJ can still have a long and happy life with you. x

[Eriklover555]

Thank you everyone, you've all been very helpful.

She does have a wheel, but she doesn't use it (except as a seed stash). She prefers to pace to doing everything but eating and sleeping.

I learned the hard way not to put her in a hamster ball, because she'll freak out. After the first session when she tried to smash the ball against the wall repeatedly, I figured it's safer to let her out under her own power

Thank you, littlefurryfriends, for the information. It's helpful to know what to avoid doing - I don't want to upset her.

[Littlefurryfriends]

Good luck with JJ shes very lucky to have you caring so much about her. The most important thing is she is a healthy little girl other than the pacing. (I have mild tourettes and head twitch like mad sometimes which I can't control so I know how she feels but I'm still perfectly happy) I'm sure she appreciates everything you do for her even if she can't show you how much. x Lots of hammy hugs to JJ from Tiffany and Toffee my little furry friends x

[Rhea101]

I was wondering if JJ every stopped pacing? My robo is exhibiting similar behavior.