Lazy hamster!

[Jasminerosee]

I have a lovely syrian called Willow, and he has become so so lazy!
He is roughly 6 months old; I have ha him for 4 months.

He was very active, used to be on his wheel every night non stop, now all he seems to do is come out for food and a drink, have a look around and go back into bed! He has a large samla bin cage attached to a DUNA fun with PLENTY of activities, he is a very spoilt hammy!

Obviously I am worried about him gaining weight, but also I don't know if he is gnawing on anything to keep his teeth down!

Any ideas?

[Hamsters4eva x]

Try to scatter feed him, he will then have to search for his food, this also helps prevent boredem, you could also bring him out of the cage every night in a suitable play pen or a DIY play pen so he can get some exercise!

Hope I helped

[Jasminerosee]

I do try and get him in his ball, he just wakes up SO late, past midnight!!

[Stockannette]

What size is his wheel? Maybe he's not using it because he has outgrown it?

[Jasminerosee]

the biggest karlie wonderland

[DrKMcK]

Hello Jasminerosee. You can train your hammy to get up earlier. You have to "accidentally" bump around his cage 1/2 hour earlier and earlier each day until he is getting up around 8-10 pm. After playtime he'll go back to bed. Once he realizes that all your noise means he gets out of cage playtime he'll be eager to come out. It takes some time and patience but it will happen.

[Jasminerosee]

ok thank you for the advice

[Jasminerosee]

any reasons to why he might not be so active anymore? :/

[HollyHamster]

As a hamster ages, the become less energetic and active. They will sleep more and more and eventually, only come out for a quick drink, maybe pouch some food and then go straight back to bed. I find that its especially prominent in Syrians. When Holly began to no longer use her wheel at all, I just removed it. No sense in keeping it in there if it wasn't getting any use.

Another thing you can do for an older ham is give them more toilet paper to line their nest with. This'll help keep their older bones warmer and snugger while they rest and ease any arthritis they might have.

I also offer a weekly treat of plain, unflavored/unseasoned oatmeal/porridge. You can add some fruit to it, like apple or banana, if you'd like, but no spices. This is a great treat for the older ham.

[Jasminerosee]

he's less than 8 months old though?