Hammy sleeping patterns and the time of year.

[LancashireLass]

Hi, everyone, I was just wondering, since the clocks have gone back and Winter kicking in has anyone's Hammies sleeping patterns changed?

Bailey, my Syrian, who is approximately 16 months old, has alway been strong willed and if he doesn't want to come out its definately talk to the paw. These past few weeks it's been hard work getting him to come out to the point of me being slightly concerned, as I very much like my Hams to get out of the cage for playtime. Especially since his fairly recent trips to the vet when I noticed his loss of fur, which seems to be fine now. He has good appetite and certainly knows which foods he likes and he his drinking, so I'm not worried about that.

My previous Hams, all Syrians, didn't really take much coaxing to come out it was either a shake of the food bag or a quick tickle round the cage and I had their attention. As I have mentioned Baileys personality has always been strong willed and no amount my attempts will coax him out, it's Baileys way or the highway and when he does emerge from his bed we sometimes don't realise he is awake as he never makes a fuss, he just sits waiting patiently on his step for us to let him out, which is so cute. I also thought at 16 months he would still be desperate for his playtime. I would love to find out if it's a case of change of weather and the clocks going back, my other half seems to think so, but I'm not convinced as the temperature in the room is a constant 19degrees and is set so it will never drop lower than that so how would he know that it's Winter, it would be nice to get some other perspective on Hammy sleeping patterns and I would be really grateful for any tips on how to get his attention.

Many Thanks

LancashireLass

[Quicksilver]

That's interesting..the last couple of nights our syrian boy Ralph (15 months) has not showed much interest to come out for playtime. He loves this normally and makes it very clear he wants to come out. Currently he's buried himself deep in bedding! I think it might be the weather - this weather can you make you sleepy, maybe it affects hamsters too? Ralph is eating and drinking fine - so I think he's enjoying relaxing in the warmth of his bed.

Not sure how long your Bailey has been avoiding playtime? I suppose if he isn't eating or drinking then I would be concerned. I always find with Ralph fresh veg,fruit,meal worms and scrambled egg i.e.favourite food gets him alert. Maybe try tempting Bailey with a new food/treat or maybe he needs his cage set up changing to give him the option to explore more?
I'm a first time hamster owner so not much experience and can only go on my experience with Ralph. I think hamsters start to slow down a little bit as they older but not sure at what age. It must be different for every hamster.
I hope Bailey is ok. If your worried and can't see improvement maybe a trip to the vet might be wise. Keep us updated on his progress.

[cypher]

Mine seem to adjust to the clocks changing very quickly so after a couple of days it makes no difference to their routine, they do respond to changing day length as well as temperature so even if a room is warm they still know it's winter & I guess some natural instincts to stay in bed might kick in!

[Rads]

Pip our 10 month old Syrian is very lazy and likes her nest just a bit too much now, she does come out but it is when it suits her, some nights she hasn't gotten up by the time I have gone to bed other nights she pops out about 8.30pm fills her pouches and goes back to bed.
When she wants ball time she stands under it and stands as tall as she can sniffing at it, then I get the ball and she comes over to the cage door to be let out.
When she is in her ball she will go to the foot of the stairs near the front door for extensive grooming and a serious pooing session which turns her ball into a hamster maraca.... mucky little madam she is...!
When she wants treats she will go stand at the end of her cage where the treats are stored in a box and just wait, or she will scoot a cross said cage from what ever she is doing when the treats bags are rustled.
She will also get up in the mornings about 10.30am for a wander about etc

[LancashireLass]

Hi Everyone, thank you for your response. I managed to see Bailey last night (Tuesday), which made me happy, and he had a good run, he woke up around 10.30pm, it makes me wonder as the temperature was slightly warmer last night. The last time he came out was Saturday night and he had quite a good run. He has a good appetite but I have to admit I have tried all ways to try and tempt him out with food but he has none of it, Bailey only comes out on his terms only. Bailey always wakes up around 7-8pm to hunter gather (as I call it) but goes back to bed. I have tried once to keep him up for playtime which h didn't go down too well. Also he is around 16 months old so maybe he is starting to slow down.
I will keep you posted
LL