my jumpy little guy... is he safe?

[dogsludge]

i got a hamster back about 3 months ago. first pet ever in my home, little white ball of energy... but he loves to jump off of things, his favourite of which being the coffee table which sits on a fairly thick carpet. the fall/jump is about 2'~, he doesnt seem to be hurt by the fall, and continues to do it, but i worry about my little guy... will this jump hurt him??

thanks for any advice or responses <3

[Ria P]

Yes, it could hurt him if he falls awkwardly.

I'd set up an interesting hamster playground for him with toys that are too big for his cage to take his mind of climbing and jumping off things. Ours love the long plastic tubes that can bend into different shapes to run through, cardboard boxes etc and a different wheel like the 12in flying saucer if he's a Syrian.

I have a climbing Syrian but always pick him up before he could fall off a height. My other Syrian likes and tries to jump off things so i let him go down the stairs a few times in the evening.

I think that you should try and create an interesting and safe environment for him for out of cage time because his luck may run out one day and he could end up getting hurt.

[Pebbles82]

Yep. Maybe set up a playpen area. Or use the sofa. Our hamster likes to climb up the back of the sofa and walk along the top. He seems to know it’s too high to jump off but I monitor anyway and am there. He has no compunction about jumping off the arm of the sofa so I have to pick him up and put him back on the sofa. Basically they need constant supervision. Or if you have a hamster proof area of the house he can free roam on the floor with the odd toy - eg a landing? With doors closed. We don’t have a landing here or I’d do that.

Basically always handle them over something low and soft - eg a sofa or cushions on the floor where he is.