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Old 02-27-2016, 01:11 PM   #1
Elmolover4
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Question Can you change their sleep????

I'm new to having a hamster an I was just wondering if you could change Their sleeping habits to fit yours so you can spend time with them??
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Old 02-27-2016, 01:39 PM   #2
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

You can, but it is not advised. Their eyes cannot handle bright light like the sun. Let the sleeping hammy lie.
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Old 02-27-2016, 01:42 PM   #3
Elmolover4
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

Ok thank you I hadn't tried or anything I wasn't sure why they slept during the day I just wanna play with Elmo an all that and it's hard lol but I understand why thank you
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Old 02-27-2016, 02:05 PM   #4
Coco61
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

Others will advise you too I am sure but don't give up hope. Once settled you can get Elmo into a routine. If you feed him at a certain time every evening he can get used to that. If a treat is on offer at feeding time he can certainly get used to that! My Mocho is rather reclusive but I feed him around the same time very evening. When he wants to he will come out to see if I have a favourite treat. A couple I keep and will only feed him by hand so he has to venture out. Also their sense of smell is excellent so a teaspoon of warm porridge or other favourite will usually tempt one out.
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Old 02-27-2016, 02:55 PM   #5
Lexieshamster
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

You can get them in the habit of getting up earlier in the evening. About 8.30 pm onwards is good. Make sure it's a little dark in be room. Like Coco61 says, try using food. The noise of their cage opening and smell of food should entice them out of the nest. Then sit by the cage and talk to them. If they stay up and show interest in you and their ears are up then try getting them out to play. They soon get the idea that it's playtime and will wake up naturally each day at that time.
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Old 02-27-2016, 03:11 PM   #6
RubyDG
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

I agree with Coco and Lexieshamster. Your best bet is to stick to a routine. Routine is important for hamsters and they do seem happier with a schedule. They'll learn when dinner or playtime is and so on . I feed my hamster at 18:30pm every night and if I'm late he gets up and lets me know about it . Generally waking them up and disturbing them in their nest is not a good idea, especially during the day, as it can make them very stressed. However I;m going to be a little controversial and say you can try waking him in the evening with a treat like a piece of veg at the same time eveyday when you put his food out and after a few weeks he may just naturally get up at that time. Doesn't always work though so keep that in mind. I have done the treat thing with mine to the point where if I do need to disturb him in his nest for whatever reason even outside his feeding time the sleepy little fluff monster sticks his head up with his mouth open for his treat while still having his eyes closed! I'm in big trouble if I bother him without something tasty as payment

I am however going to stress that you do need to use common sense with this. Hamsters have their own little personalities and each is going to react in a different way. Mine is very laid back so doesn't mind me bothering him in his nest but many hamsters may react badly and get stressed by being disturbed which is why it's said to never to wake them up or disturb them. You are going to know Elmo best so need to decide if you want to try this method. If he's not accepting of being woken up then you're going to have to stick to just putting his food out at a set time and leaving him to come out on his own. Personally though if you can get him used to you checking on him in his nest it's helpful because there are going to be times when you need to and it's better if this is something that doesn't upset him.

Regardless since he's not tame yet I would leave him be and just start with putting his food out at the same time every night, make a good amount of noise doing it (don't scare him though ), just don't be shy about making noise so you know he can hear you inside his house, shake his food bag etc. He'll eventually learn what time dinner is and you can work from there once he's more used to you

Also just to add since you've just gotten Elmo watch how quickly you introduce veg and fruit to his diet as if he gets too much too soon he could get an upset stomach. Plus while Syrians aren't prone to diabetes like the dwarf hamsters too much sugar is not good for them so things like honey treats and fruit should be kept to a minimum.

Hope that's a little helpful - sorry I seem to have written an essay . Just keep in mind some hamsters are easier to get into routine than others and unfortunately there are some where you just have to accept they're going to get up when they feel like it and that's that.
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Old 02-27-2016, 03:32 PM   #7
Elmolover4
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

Y'all are so helpful thank you I can give him close to the same night schedule as my son kinda. An also was wondering since my room is kinda dark besides a tv an night light after dinner could I start his schedule a little before 8:30 so my son can have time with him also????
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Old 02-27-2016, 03:35 PM   #8
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

You can change their routines but it is preferable to stick to the natural instinct of being crepuscular. Mine are both Syrians and they are up early evenings, 7pm ish onwards they might pop out to start the "day" and they won't ask to come out of their cages until they're ready, usually between 8 and 11 pm they'll have an hour playtime out of cage each separately. They're both very different - one will come out of his nest if he hears noise in the room and would come out wherever anyone would let him, and the other will generally hide away if he hears us but will come out for his veg bowl and sometimes asks to come for out for his playtime. I've been up in the night a lot recently and discovered they don't play all night, usually in the middle of the night they're asleep again and get up in the early hours, and then again when we get up for the day they come out for a quick hi, drink, wee and that's them for the day.

For instance the more shy one has been out of his cage running around for about 1.5 hrs and he's currently fast asleep behind the sofa!

I "trained" mine by doing the same things at the same times like Ruby suggested.
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Old 02-27-2016, 03:43 PM   #9
Bertiebobbins
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

Our replied crossed!

I got hams as a pet for my daughter (nearly 4) and I find the morning is the best time to to catch them (both!) for interaction. She goes to bed at 7 -7:30 latest and hardly ever sees them in the evening and the hams are unwilling to adapt their schedule it seems. In the morning we give them a small spoon of porridge each which they anticipate, and my daughter interacts with them then - she gives them their porridge, usually one or the other comes out for a cuddle, and there's some spot cleaning to help with. Also, they're sleepier and slower than at night! I've also taken great pains to educate her as to their natural instincts so she understands their activity patterns. She loves the odd occasion when one of them is up just after she went to bed and I bring her a hamster to say goodnight to her!

A tip - My hams get their main play times at night when my daughter is asleep - I love playing with them and she enjoys seeing pictures and videos of their evening antics just as much as if she had bee there herself!
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Old 02-27-2016, 04:23 PM   #10
Elmolover4
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Default Re: Can you change their sleep????

You don't talk to much it is helpful. I'm alil nervous to ask to much I don't wanna sound stupid lol but is news paper bad for Syrian hamsters??
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