I’m a new hamster owner and I think she may have OCD

[LovelyHammys]

I just got her from a pet store three days ago, and for the past two nights, she’s been running the same circuit in her cage. It’s a 22.5 In x 16.5 in x 32 in (L x W x H) so it meets minimum size requirements. I’ve been reading up about what this could mean, her running in circuits. But I’ve minimized the category’s to stress or OCD. But she does these circuits so often and for hours at a time...I’ve decided to wait a week to a week and a half till I do anything drastic. But I’d love some help from the community on the forum. If anyone has any information please let me know. And if anyone has had a hamster with OCD, is there a way to help them in any way shape or form? Or will she be stuck running this circuit for the rest of her life? Only stopping to eat, sleep, and drink. And no, she doesn’t have a wheel just yet, but all of the ones in the stores were either mesh or way too small for her. She is a Syrian by the way. I’m guessing she’s only a few months old considering she’s not full grown, but for all I know her growth could be stunted. I wish we had ethical breeders in the area. I’m awfully worried about her, if anyone could write me back as soon as possible that would be fantastic, till then, let’s just hope my Amanda will be alright. (I’m sorry that this is so dreadfully long, but I’m trying to provide the community with as much information as I can, so I can get the best answers.)

[Ria P]

Hello and welcome!

Running in circuits doesn't sound right and before jumping to any conclusions like OCD i'd try and address boredom and stress. Also, she is still settling in and may need more time to adjust to her new surroundings.

She needs a big wheel with a solid running surface and you need to source one. Can you not buy one online if shops in your area don't stock them?
Does she have deep substrate and a big, dark house to build a nest in?
Those things are hamster essentials you need to provide.

She also needs to feel safe, comfortable and stimulated in her habitat and needs hides like tunnels, cardboard boxes, bendy bridges, maybe a shelf to dive under and sit on etc.
Hamsters need things to chew on like a Whimzee, wooden sticks etc. and some Syrians like a sand bath.

You could post a photo of your set up so people could possibly come up with ideas.

[sushi_78]

I think she may be running in circles because she doesn't have a wheel yet. Hamsters have a strong instinct to run long distances. I would recommend trying to get her a suitable wheel as soon as possible. In the meantime, you could put her in a secure run for a few hours each evening.

[Pebbles82]

It’s stress and pent up energy. As mentioned above she needs a wheel as a matter of urgency! What country are you in? Amazon does next day delivery.

Also it’s a stressful time when they move and change environment so important not to clean her out for the first two weeks or move things/chop and change things in the cage. They need that time to settle, scent Mark everything and establish a nesting area and normal habits.

They do need somewhere dark to retreat to and feel secure as well - eg a house large enough to build a big nest that is dark inside. A shoebox house is fine and even better with a bendy bridge tunnel over the door. Adding the odd thing like that should be accepted fine as long as you don’t have to move things around (much). Taking things out tends to stress them initially.

[Engel]

Hamsters can run the equivalent of 4 marathons (I think) each night!!! Can we see the set up?