Syrian hamster (male) mood swings ?

[OliveMegamean]

Hello ,

This is my first post - I've read so many threads on this website (trying to figure things out about my hamster) that I thought I may as well join !

So I have a syrian male who is about 6 months old now. I've had him about 2 months. The taming thing was going slowly but quite well, I think (he's my first hamster). We did the dry bath tub taming and I've made him a playpen out of old cardboard boxes that I would put him in most nights. He slowly warmed up to me, letting me stroke him, and he even climbed up on my legs several times.

But then one day he just didn't want to come out of his hut in the evening. He wasn't interested when I put the hamster ball in his cage (what I use to bring him to his playpen). I managed to get him into the playpen the other day (after ages of coaxing him out of the hut with a treat) but he just sat in a corner and didn't run around the playpen like he usually would! And he now always gets off of his wheel if someone comes into the room, and goes to his hut to hide (but not in a scared way, he just gets off his wheel and walks to his hut and stays there). This is weird because on some days he seemed super excited to get into the ball and he is still sometimes curious when someone comes close to the cage. Nowadays I can't predict his mood and I'm not sure if something is wrong !

He seems comfortable, just not interested ! He stretches, eats and cleans himself in front of me. He's healthy, no strange bumps or patches of hair missing or anything. He just reminds me of a moody teenager - is that normal ?

[Piebald]

Hi Olive! Welcome to HC. Sorry your post looks to have been missed. How is taming going lately?
I think most Hamster owners have experience some moods. Right guys? We've seen pouting, grandstanding, strops, cuddles, annoyance . . . .lol As long as you are sure it's not physical a mood is quite normal. You will learn to read his moods as you bond, it's good you recognize them! I suggest respecting his moods if you can. Some days he might prefer to read a book and some days he might like a big explore.