Older Syrian no longer wants to come out of cage

[Chicleteer]

I'm looking for some advice on a behavioral change in my female Syrian, Chiclet, who is now about a year and 9 months old, and I'm wondering if the behavior is age-related.

Chiclet used to want to come out of her cage on a nightly basis, and I would let her out for a good hour or more, letting her run around protected and blocked-off areas where I put toys, a wheel, little treats, chewing items, homemade tunnels, and I would sit on the floor in that area. She would run around actively, and seemed to enjoy her out-of-cage time. (One delightful thing she would do is "tunnel" herself between me and the wall I was sitting against; perhaps she found it nice and warm!)

Maybe once every few weeks she wouldn't emerge in the evening, but it was an infrequent occurrence.

For the past month or so, however, Chiclet has not been coming out from her burrow except to eat, drink, and eliminate in the little litter box I have for her. I've often seen her do this, but she always immediately heads right back to her nest.

I had taken her to the vet maybe three weeks ago since I wasn't sure if Chiclet was peeing (I wasn't seeing it in the litter box where she usually goes, and could not find it in her nest). The vet examined her and couldn't find anything wrong; she suggested I keep track of her water intake, which I did, and she was regularly drinking around a tablespoon a day. And in the meantime, within a few days Chiclet was peeing again as normal.

I really don't have a sense that she is ill, but I'm wondering if it's a normal part of aging that a hamster stops wanting to come out for exercise and play, and prefers to stay in their nest/burrow. I've tried to coax her out a few times, but she obviously doesn't want to, and I don't want to stress her any more than necessary.

Every few days I briefly do pick her up and examine her as best I can, but she seems to be fine. The only visible difference I can see is that her ears aren't as perked up as they used to be. And it just seems like she definitely has less energy than she used to.

Just to add, since I know it's wintertime, I do consistently keep my home at a comfortable temperature (about 74 Fahrenheit/33 Celsius), so I really don't believe it's cold-weather-related or torpor.

Does this sound like it may be a normal change related to her age? I would welcome any suggestions/advice. This is my first hamster, and I don't quite know what to expect.

Thank you for any ideas you have....

[chloeeruth98]

Hi, sounds like you're doing a wonderful job and all you can to love her and make her comfy xxx yes my late hammy Maisie was the same, I believe it is just a part of the aging process that they have less and less energy. Kind of like humans too, when they spend more time sleeping in bed/an armchair. Cherish the moments she is out, make sure she has plenty of bedding, and check her nest because she might be having a few accidents in there rather than making it to the potty. It's never easy to see our little ones getting old, but the love and joy they bring, and the happy life we can give then makes it all worth it xxx

[Chicleteer]

Thanks, Chloeeruth, those are comforting words. I am indeed cherishing this time with her; it's so easy to give lip service to "hamsters have short lives" and it's entirely another thing when it's your own little one who may be gradually moving on. I really hope to do my best for her.
The hamster in your profile pictures looks just like my Chiclet! So sweet..... Again, thanks.

[souffle]

I'd say that was fairly normal in hamsters. She is of a decent quite elderly age and she will be more settled and happy to sleep longer hours and be happy not do be handled as much. I do find they also wheel less and sometimes prefer more leisurely activities like chewing open loo roll parcels and foraging food. Maybe treat her to some extras a few times a week like porridge and babyfood and give a little more veg to keep her vitamin levels up!

[Chicleteer]

Thanks, Souffle. It all makes sense, and my gut feeling really is that it's age and not illness. She loves porridge; I need to give it to her a little more often. (Wouldn't hurt me to have more of it myself! When I make it for myself, that's when I usually set out a little for her as well, usually with a little piece of walnut and a blueberry, which are things I like in my porridge as well!)
When she passes to the rainbow bridge, I want her to do so with a happy life behind her. But then we all want that for our little ones, right? <3