My hamster doesn't run on his wheel anymore? Just sleeps.

kayred2000 · 06-16-2017, 04:50 PM

Hi! So I have a male, long haired Syrian hamster named Nubbins. I believe that I've had him since the beginning of 2015 and he's always been really active on his wheel. But at some point in time this year, he stopped running on his wheel? I know this for sure because I don't hear him run on it anymore, and I've done a few all nighters recently and he hasn't even gotten on it!

Now, he was not a baby when I got him, so I guess that he could be considered old but I'm still worried because he won't run on it anymore. He didn't even try to do it last night!

Another notable thing is that he could have ringworm? A few months ago a vet teacher at my school said that he might have it, but if he has then he's never infected me with it. Also I think the teacher might've thought that because he's losing hair on his back, and I accidentally told the teacher that he was 1 instead of how old he actually was. (Long story). Anyways, I never followed up on this because my mother won't take him to the vet, and because a lot of his suspicious symptoms (hair loss, crusty eye when he wakes up), are seen in older hamsters. Plus, it's been at least 4 months and he's still alive. But with how unactive he's been, I'm starting to worry that might be the case.

EDIT: I just noticed while brushing him that he has a lot of dandruff too. So if that is a sign of some disease that's making him tired, please let me know!

Anyways, if you have any advice, reasoning, or something else that explains this, please let me know.

Crystalroborovski · 06-16-2017, 06:04 PM

How old is he exactly? You said you got him in 2015 so I'd assume about 2 years 6-7 months. It's common for old hamsters to stop using their wheels as they become old. They will also be more inactive and sleep a lot more.

I don't think he would have ringworm but I'm not the expert on these types of things so someone else may be able to help you. If he had ringworm he would have most likely passed it on to you by now. Sometimes hams can have a patch of fur that thins or because he is long haired he could just have gotten his skirt caught on something and it pulled some fur out.

If you're truly worried about him explain to your mother that he needs to go to a vet. Why exactly won't she let you take him?

kayred2000 · 06-16-2017, 06:09 PM

I can't tell how old he is exactly, but yeah you're probably about right. And my mother won't let me take him because she thinks it's a lot of money for just a hamster(which is like really mean but it's okay)

Anyways, yeah he's long haired. Also, while I have you, I was just grooming him and I just now noticed how much dandruff he has? Do you know anything about that?

And thank you for replying!!! I was really worried, but I guess I might just be because he's old.

Crystalroborovski · 06-16-2017, 07:21 PM

If your mother thinks it's a lot of money perhaps you could cover the vet bill yourself. He may not need to go but that is a decision you must make for yourself

I don't know anything about hamster dandruff however I do know that red flakey skin is not a good thing. Is the skin reddish or not?

In all honestly I think a lot of this is just because he's an old little man

cypher · 06-16-2017, 10:46 PM

It does sound as though it may just be signs of old age, obvious question I know but have you checked the wheel is still working & spinning easily?
Becoming less active is normal as they get older, not knowing his age makes it difficult to know for sure.
Is he still eating & drinking normally?
Drier skin is normal too but you may be able to help with that by giving some extra flax seeds (linseed) & a drop of evening primrose daily. If he'll take it a tiny amount of nutritional yeast (sold as a supplement for humans either as flakes or tablets you can crush up) might help too.

Pebbles82 · 06-17-2017, 07:28 PM

It sounds like old age to me too. They start losing hair as they get older, and if he's stopped using his wheel and sleeping a lot that also sounds like old age. Although as the others say, check it is spinning ok and not jammed. You might need to move his food and water to floor level in case he has problems climbing if they're on a shelf.

Try putting a bit of substrate or a tiny piece of toilet paper on top of the wheel when you go to bed and see if it is still there in the morning. Our Syrian used his wheel right up to about 2 years and 7 months, but only went in it for about a minute! If the substrate has gone he's still using it, even if only a little bit. But it does sound as if he is in his twilight time, so give him some treats