Hamster Central - View Single Post - Stress, something neurological or maybe boredom?

madkatherine · 07-07-2021, 01:21 AM

Hi guys!
I recently got a robo hammy with an initial intention to foster him and find a new good home.
He was very scared, which is understandable, but also from day one he would run super fast in tiny circles. It's been 4 days and it seems that he is a bit calmer now but he still does that.

So I was wondering if this is indeed some neurological disorder or he is just too stressed?

Background info I know about him:
- about 5-6 months old
- purchased with his brother but - surprise - they started fighting
- lived in a tiny cage, with a tiny wheel, no substrate, sand or toys
- the diet was plain and lacked protein
- the family who owned him also has a child who wasn't particularly gentle with the hammy

Current setup:
- As it was supposed to be a temporary housing, the cage is on a smaller side (50x80cm) and a bit bare to my standards (feeling very bad about it now

)
- 20 cm of Aspen+carefresh bedding in the biggest part of the cage
- Sand bath, wheel, three hides, one tunnel, a few chew toys

Some positive dynamics I'm seeing compared to days 1-2:
- He learned to use his sand bath!
- and started to use his wheel
- also, I saw him burrowing a bit
- He does eat both his seed mix and veggies

After observing him, I was pretty sure it was neurological, but also thinking maybe the setup is just too boring fir him? WDYT?

Here's a video of his behaviour VID_20210706_233306.mp4 - Google Drive

07-07-2021, 01:21 AM
madkatherine Newborn Pup Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Kaunas, Lithuania Posts: 30	Stress, something neurological or maybe boredom? Hi guys! I recently got a robo hammy with an initial intention to foster him and find a new good home. He was very scared, which is understandable, but also from day one he would run super fast in tiny circles. It's been 4 days and it seems that he is a bit calmer now but he still does that. So I was wondering if this is indeed some neurological disorder or he is just too stressed? Background info I know about him: - about 5-6 months old - purchased with his brother but - surprise - they started fighting - lived in a tiny cage, with a tiny wheel, no substrate, sand or toys - the diet was plain and lacked protein - the family who owned him also has a child who wasn't particularly gentle with the hammy Current setup: - As it was supposed to be a temporary housing, the cage is on a smaller side (50x80cm) and a bit bare to my standards (feeling very bad about it now ) - 20 cm of Aspen+carefresh bedding in the biggest part of the cage - Sand bath, wheel, three hides, one tunnel, a few chew toys Some positive dynamics I'm seeing compared to days 1-2: - He learned to use his sand bath! - and started to use his wheel - also, I saw him burrowing a bit - He does eat both his seed mix and veggies After observing him, I was pretty sure it was neurological, but also thinking maybe the setup is just too boring fir him? WDYT? Here's a video of his behaviour VID_20210706_233306.mp4 - Google Drive Last edited by madkatherine; 07-07-2021 at 01:27 AM.