A change in behaviour

jessica_rabbit_94 · 11-22-2014, 03:59 PM

Hi guys,
This is my first post on here so bare with me.
My little ralph is only about 5-6 months old and has always been nervous.
However recently we have been pretty good.
He used to constantly run in his wheel however now he has taken to sitting I the bottom of it. He seems off his food and doesn't eat as much as usual. Also he goes bacm to bed on and off through the night which he never did before.
Do you think he is ok and just more settled now or is there something more to be concerned with?

Goldie Flower · 11-24-2014, 06:52 AM

He sounds more settled to me. When I first had my hams they went a bit nuts with their wheels but they soon worked out that they weren't going to lose the wheel if they weren't on it constantly and started playing with other things. I'd think with the food that your ham may just be taking less to store it, mine used to empty their bowls and hide the food in their beds but now they're settled they just leave it until they want it. Mine are never up all through the night either, they quite often retreat for a nap and get up to play more again later in the night. Hope this helps since mine have been pretty similar to yours and they're all okay

cypher · 11-25-2014, 04:36 AM

There could be a number of reasons, it could be that he's more settled also as the weather gets colder than can be a bit less active & sleep more.
I would check his wheel is big enough though, he should be able to run with a straight back to avoid injury & if you have a small one he's out grown that may be why he's stopped using it so much.
Weighing regularly is the best way to keep an eye on their general health & be sure they're eating enough or not too much. It's really hard to tell just how much they eat or stash so weighing will give you a better idea.
If he really does seem off his food you could always try using a different mix for a bit of variety & see if that makes a difference.
Hope that helps give you some ideas.

essexgirl240 · 11-25-2014, 05:29 AM

This story sounds very familiar to whats going on with my hamster. Shes about 3-4 months old and I've had her for about 3 weeks now and she was doing so well with being handled and coming out of her cage and seemed comfortable to come out and climb over me. But over the last few days she has been hiding away a bit more in her house when we've gone to get her out. I don't think she has gone off her food though although I do need to weigh her again to be honest. We managed to get her out to handle her a bit last night but she seemed a bit skittish again to start with. It's almost like she's had a bit of a set-back with her handling but I'm not sure what's triggered it. She's definitely still using her wheel though as we hear her on it at night.

cypher · 11-25-2014, 05:42 AM

Set backs in taming aren't that unusual & sometimes it's hard to know what goes on in a hamsters head!
Cage cleaning, moving things or changing things in the cage or any other changes around a ham can make them a bit skittish/moody.

jessica_rabbit_94 · 11-26-2014, 04:11 AM

I think you are right and he is just more settled thank you for your advice

Thin Lizzy · 11-26-2014, 10:45 AM

Hi Jessica, welcome to HC and Ralph too.
My little one is nearly 4months and she was constantly on her flying saucer throughout the night but, since the clocks went back and it officially became winter her habits have changed also. Like Ralph she goes on her saucer for a while and then back to her bed and does that during the day also.
Just ensure he's warm enough now the cold nights are here.