Has anyone experienced these rapid change of habits.

LancashireLass · 05-23-2017, 11:05 AM

Hi Im really concerned about Bailey my Syrian.who is approximately 20 months old. He was his usual self upto Saturday when I noticed that he had not been out to his food of water and was pretty much the same on Sunday I made sure he got some liquid by giving him Cucumber. He didn't come out for his run and the same yesterday and today. He did, however, come out last night but be was very erratic and manic scraping his bedding with his back legs and running round his cage like he was possessed before going back to bed. As far as I am aware he hasnt been out and tonight I fed him fresh water through a pippet and he was thirsty. Please any ideas I would be so grateful what would make him so reluctant to come out even for his food and water.

Many thanks
LL

Drago · 05-23-2017, 11:36 AM

The scraping and running all about sounds a bit like he may have been spooked by something. If a hamster suddenly acts frantic, it's generally a sign there's a sound or smell he doesn't particularly feel safe around, but it can be hard for us as humans to know what it may be. A dog barking down the street or even the smell of smoke from cooking can set them off, when it wouldn't bother us much at all. Just keep an eye on him, and if he does it again, try to note any noises or changes in the environment that could be upsetting him.

I'd personally be more concerned over his food and water issues. It's plausible he's scared by something and that's why he doesn't want to come out and eat, but not eating can be an early warning sign that something is wrong. Does he seem lethargic? Does he seem sickly or does he just have an overall malaise? I'd recommend doing a thorough health check and if he seems off at all, it would probably be a good idea to book a vet appointment. Hope everything is okay

LancashireLass · 05-23-2017, 12:34 PM

Hi Drago thank you for getting back to me, my main concern is the fact he won't come out for food and water and its is worrying me so much, at the moment he is eating and taking food out of my hand, and as well has giving him water he gets Cucumber which is about 90% water. But I need to get to the bottom of why he is doing this, why the change so quick. I'm monitoring him tonight and decide in the morning whether I ring the vet or not. I don't take Bailey to the vet lightly as it frightens him and stresses him out and I don't want to exasperate the situation.

Thank you
LL

Crystalroborovski · 05-23-2017, 02:49 PM

If he is acting stressed or scared it's a good idea to move his food bowl and his water and put it right outside his hiding place. That way, if he's scared he doesn't have to venture all the way to his food and water. Whenever I separated my two robo boys, the one who was put into a new cage was extremely skittish. I put his water bottle and scattered some food right outside of his burrow because for the first few days he was too scared to come out. That way he could just sneak outside of the burrow, grab a snack and a drink and slip back into the bedding.

LancashireLass · 05-23-2017, 03:25 PM

Hi thank you for responding, Bailey has come out tonight on his own accord, he has had a good run but still not had any water to drink but has taken food out of my hand. He has, however, been very tenacious over his bedding and scooed as much of his substrate as possible and blocking the door to his hut, I'm not sure if the little man is trying to tell me something. He is very lively and just insisted he wants another run, in which I have allowed him to. His food bowl and water have always been as close to his hut as possible, I have even tried to put a bowl of water in front of him and he still won't drink. Apart from the not drinking he seems ok,

Thank you
LL

Thin Lizzy · 05-23-2017, 05:34 PM

Hamsters don't tend to drink much water, give him more cucumber or apple but keep a close eye.
Is the water bottle working properly?

LancashireLass · 05-23-2017, 10:59 PM

Hi Thin Lizzy thank you for responding, I have come down this morning and his food bowl is practically empty which is good to see, it does look as if he has had some water albeit not much, I have checked his bottle and it's fine. I will continue to keep a very close eye on him, and update.

Thank you
LL