On his wheel all day?

Kodahbear96 · 05-18-2016, 04:18 PM

So I just got a Syrian hamster today and he has been on his wheel for the past 5 1/2 hours during the day! I don't think it's a problem but since my last Syrian never did that I just want to make sure that everything is okay! What do you guys think?

AlfredHam · 05-18-2016, 05:03 PM

I think it's nervous energy/stress, he should settle down soon

Pebbles82 · 05-18-2016, 05:06 PM

Agree - excitement and a bit of stress at the change of environment. Plus it might be a new thing if he hasn't had a wheel before. How old is he?

Kodahbear96 · 05-18-2016, 05:37 PM

He's about 6 weeks old I believe, and he didn't have a wheel in the enclosure he was in so I was hoping it was just that!

CMB · 05-19-2016, 06:29 AM

Novelty of having a wheel I think. He could be burning of nervous energy. They often explore a new cage to check everything out and scent mark. He will settle down soon.

Kodahbear96 · 05-19-2016, 06:38 AM

Okay, he's still on his wheel and I've noticed that he wont leave it! He hasn't explored the rest of his cage at all. Do you think that it might just be him being nervous of all of the space?

CMB · 05-19-2016, 06:41 AM

I think the wheel is just too fun at the moment. Is it night time where you live. If you can post a photo of his cage layout so we can suggest things that might help.

Has he got a dark place to nest?

Kodahbear96 · 05-19-2016, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMB

I think the wheel is just too fun at the moment. Is it night time where you live. If you can post a photo of his cage layout so we can suggest things that might help.

Has he got a dark place to nest?

He has a house in the corner of the cage, but he has no interest in it. Its officially be over 12 hours and he is still walking/running on the wheel. I'm sure that he stopped at least for a little while when I was sleeping but it's really starting to make me nervous!

Pebbles82 · 05-19-2016, 07:03 AM

If you have a shoe box you could try adding that - put it upside down so it's open to the substrate underneath and cut a hole for the door and put the bendy bridge over the door. That might tempt him inside as it'll be nice and dark. And put a treat inside it or something. Also add a load more nesting material (strips of torn up toilet paper). That way he has somewhere dark to hide it it's nerves.

CMB · 05-19-2016, 07:10 AM

The igloos are sort of see through so not that dark. They can get hot in warm weather too.

You could try some veg, food, or treats placed around the cage to give him something to forage for. Once he has pouched it he will look for somewhere to store it, usually in or near his nest.

Has he drank yet. You could take the wheel out for a while to make him have a rest. Then put it back in later.