Hamster not coming out as usual...

TsukiCatHammy · 11-20-2018, 02:51 PM

Hi, so my Syrian Hoji has been acting a little odd lately and I can't tell if hes sick or not. He normally comes out all energetic at 10 pm chewing at his bars and comes out for an hour. In the morning he normally gets up about 11-12 am for a drink and snack before I leave.

However, I think on Sunday he got up at 4-5pm and stayed out til about 8 despite trying to get him back in bed to save the routine. But since this he didn't get out at normal time so I waited in today and he hasn't been out of bed all day as normal. He's been awake but just gone and chewed a treat or two and gone to his sand n toilet corner. Then he's gone back to bed and laid pretty much in his door way. i feel like something is definetly off but I struggle with paranoia so it's more than likely just me surely. I don't want to risk the stress of a vet trip if its nothing as he hasn't ever really travelled.

Any suggestions?

Thank you

hamsterbasil · 11-20-2018, 03:16 PM

If this is only one day, it could just be (and probably is) a one off. Keep an eye on him, if he looses weight, becomes lethargic or shows any signs of illness then you might start to get worried.
Sometimes hamsters just do random things! My main advice would just be to wait and see, he could just be having a weird few days, it happens to the best of us.
If it helps, my hamster's routine changed A LOT a few months ago, but he is fine. I worried too but as long as he is happy and healthy I wouldn't worry.

TsukiCatHammy · 11-20-2018, 03:20 PM

It's the second day I believe

hamsterbasil · 11-20-2018, 04:30 PM

Only 2 days isn't very long so don't panic. My main advice is to just keep an eye on him. Other than the unusual waking hours, is Hoji looking and acting normal?

alpacassei · 11-20-2018, 04:35 PM

Is he eating and drinking normal amounts? If he’s eating/drinking well and he hasn’t lost weight, I wouldn’t be too concerned for his overall health.

I’m more concerned with the bar chewing to be honest, would you be able to share a photo of his setup and the name/dimensions of his cage? Bar chewing is most often a sign of boredom or stress, usually caused by not having a big enough environment or not having enough toys and enrichment. Stress and boredom can cause other changes in routine and behaviour as well.

hamsterbasil · 11-20-2018, 05:36 PM

Yes, the bar chewing is concerning! Does he have enough space and enough to do? Hamsters need enrichment just like every other animal or they will get bored! Could be stress as well.

TsukiCatHammy · 11-25-2018, 12:25 PM

Hi again, sorry I didn't reply I have a tendancy to forget my posts

I took him to the vets agfter 3 days I think and they said they think he was just having an off few days. I didn't know that about the bars I feel horrible :'(

He has a wheel (which he never uses which is extremely weird and why I think hes so bored!), Numerous hides, a shelf, water n food, some chew sticks, a dangling treat he spends time chewing and a dangaling cocount hide plus I just put him a climbing thing in. I tend to swap the things in his cage every time I feed him or at leas rearrange them. If anyone has some suggestions that would be great, I don;t want him bored, and yes it is weird that he never seems to use his wheel... I really dunno what thats about or if anyone else has ever had that.

Thanks

p.s.

He seems to be back to his own ways since the vets, climbing the wardrobe etc.

TsukiCatHammy · 11-25-2018, 12:31 PM

Also, Hoji has been out but he stays out quite a while when he does. For example hes been out and hour n half now and I know there not supposed to be out for more than 10 minutes, I regularry check if he wants back in but he just wants out. Is this normal. I am generally concerned about his entertainment now, Also will attach a photo of his cage soon, but don;t recall the size. He used to have a tank but it was cheaply made and got damaged on day

cypher · 11-25-2018, 11:45 PM

Which wheel does he have? It is unusual for them not to use the wheel but sometimes it's just that wheel is too small or doesn't spin easily.
If he wants to stay out let him, the 10 minute limit is what some people suggest if you use a ball but for general time out they can have as long as they like.

TsukiCatHammy · 11-26-2018, 04:04 AM

Hi Cypher, i'm unsure... It is the bigest wheel I could find in stores but I do recall thinking maybe thats the reason... Any chance any one could link be to an ideal wheel for a syrian so I can compare?

He normally is out without a ball unless cleaning him, he sort of likes ramming into stuff tho sometimes XD