Lethagic or just naturally lazy-ish? AND treating colds in hamsters

frodo · 04-13-2019, 12:44 PM

TWO QUESTIONS!!

I recently adopted a 1 year old female dwarf who is VERY active, which had made me realize that my 3 month old male dwarf isn't nearly as active. I've had him since he was 4 weeks and has never been the most active hamster. He does run in his wheel, has a big appetite, drinks daily, sand baths etc.

But the thing is, whenever he isn't doing any of these things, then he just sits in ONE specific place in his cage all night. He does show interest in me every time I open his cage, where he'll run onto my hands and give me a few kisses and take treats. But whenever I put him back, he's back to that ONE SPECIFIC spot!

I'm wondering, if it's because he has become lethargic, due to an underlying cause? Or are some hamsters - even dwarfs just a bit lazy? Do any of you have experiences with hamsters with this kind of personality?

- And how do I treat colds in hamsters? My female dwarf has a wet nose, I've given her lots of toilet paper for her to nest in. Other than that, she seems like the typical healthy russian dwarf.

Pebbles82 · 04-13-2019, 01:08 PM

It sounds fairly typical - female being very active and male being laid back and a bit lazy. They often do have a favourite place for sitting - sometimes on a shelf. Our Syrian has a round hide with a flat top he liked sitting on. Who knows what they think about?

As for a cold - keep an eye on her - if she gets wheezy she may need antibiotics. Otherwise it should sort itself out.

frodo · 04-13-2019, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It sounds fairly typical - female being very active and male being laid back and a bit lazy. They often do have a favourite place for sitting - sometimes on a shelf. Our Syrian has a round hide with a flat top he liked sitting on. Who knows what they think about?

As for a cold - keep an eye on her - if she gets wheezy she may need antibiotics. Otherwise it should sort itself out.

Thank you! I guess, I was nervous since people generally describe russian dwarfs as very active.

They are probably thinking about taking over the world by using human slaves

If not, establishing colonies with other hamsters and ruin agriculture haha

Pebbles82 · 04-13-2019, 01:36 PM

Haha. At night it’s like they’re in a trance. I have sometimes gone down in the middle of the night and found Newt sitting still. I talk to him and he’s on another world as if he doesn’t recognise me. Whereas early evening he is very expressive. I read some interesting research somewhere (can’t remember where) about their different brain patterns at night and biorhythms. Also sometimes they do a “freeze” where they just sit still for ages as if soooked by something.

frodo · 04-13-2019, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Haha. At night it’s like they’re in a trance. I have sometimes gone down in the middle of the night and found Newt sitting still. I talk to him and he’s on another world as if he doesn’t recognise me. Whereas early evening he is very expressive. I read some interesting research somewhere (can’t remember where) about their different brain patterns at night and biorhythms. Also sometimes they do a “freeze” where they just sit still for ages as if soooked by something.

Oh wow really? I really need to look that up! I've also read an article on whether or not hamsters knew they weren't going anywhere in their hamster wheel. They had put a hamster wheel in the wild, and surprisingly enough, wild hamsters did run for an extended period of time on the wheel!

The article didn't really come to a definite conclusion, but either way. Hamsters must really love their wheel.

Ria P · 04-13-2019, 02:20 PM

I wonder who discovered the hamster wheel.

Pebbles82 · 04-13-2019, 02:52 PM

Yes I think they do it for fun

as well as exercise.

frodo · 04-13-2019, 03:22 PM

Honestly I'm quite bummed out on the fact, that there isn't much research on hamsters, or maybe I just don't know where to look

I mean, there is a ton of information on rodents(mice&rats).. though

AND am I the only one who switches between Hamstercentral and different hamster groups on facebook, because I don't want to seem annoying when I have questions, hahahaha.
I feel like I'm the only one who does this.