Can hamsters get dementia?

BrainGirl · 03-31-2014, 10:54 AM

I'm assuming it's old age but I've noticed that Peaches is really slowing down. More than that though she just really seems "lost" a lot of the time. She doesn't look at me when I pick her up and it almost seems that she's completely blind. She doesn't struggle or wiggle, not that she ever did much of that, she was always calm but this is weird calm. It's like she's in a trance. I have found her sleeping in some very odd positions, as though she just fell asleep while out for a stroll, is this normal aging or should I worry?

Esmy · 03-31-2014, 11:00 AM

You know, I noticed Wicket stops and lays flat on the cage shelf after running for a bit but when I look at him, he gets up. I was wondering if this was normal?

How old is Peaches?

Saraya'n'Star · 03-31-2014, 11:00 AM

How old is she?
My sisters hamster is 2 years old and he sometimes is like Peaches too.

TraceyH · 03-31-2014, 12:26 PM

One of my hams is 2 years 9 months and eats his monkey nuts now with his head in his toilet. Plus, sometimes when he comes out to free roam he falls asleep lol

BrainGirl · 03-31-2014, 01:07 PM

I don't actually know how old she is. I was told she (and he supposed brother) were only 3 months old or so but pretty sure that wasn't true. All I can say is that she's probably more than a year.

BrainGirl · 04-04-2014, 07:49 AM

New thought! Peaches has always been a slightly nervous hamster; happy to be held but wary of everything. She has never taken a treat directly from my fingers, I have to put it down and let her pick it up herself. Anyway, that little dog I was looking after went home and within day or so, she was back to her old self! I think she was just in "freeze" mode because she could smell the dog. She's ok

**DrKMcK** · 04-04-2014, 08:02 AM

Hamsters are a lot more aware of what's going on around them than many people realize. They instinctively respond to predator sounds and scents. Even though all my hams have met Yoda and aren't afraid of him, Ted E. Bear always stops in his tracks, stands up with his ears perked and just freezes when he hears Yoda eating his kibble. Yoda crunches loudly and it never fails to attract Ted E's notice. Peaches knew that dog was there. Smart little hammy. As for whether or not a hammy can get dementia, I personally believe they can. My Dale, a Syrian Black Bear hammy, who was born in my house lived to be a nice elderly ham. As he got older he began to "talk" to himself. It was the cutest thing. I could hear him mumbling away in his cage at night. It used to make me smile. I made a video and he's talking a blue streak in it. Have a listen

Dale walkin and talkin 1 - YouTube

BrainGirl · 04-04-2014, 09:09 AM

Aww that was sweet!

pixiehollow · 04-04-2014, 04:31 PM

Tink often falls asleep mid dinner, or mid drink sometimes too! Falling asleep under the water bottle. He's just turned 15 months.

My hamsters LIKE the cats, it worries me greatly! If I'm not in the room the door is shut as it really worries me, the cats don't seem interested in the hams usually but they will say hello. Hammys come up to the bars to say hi to them too.

BrainGirl · 04-04-2014, 05:59 PM

My hams don't seem bothered by my cat either though whether that's because they're used to her scent or because they know if she tries anything my guard-chinchilla will take her down

No seriously, Pippa hates my cat's guts and has since they met! She will do anything to get into the same room with my cat and then goes for her throat