Hamster only wants to sleep

[Linn]

Hello! This forum has been a great resource of information, but there's something bothering me.

I got my little new friend about 4 days ago. She's a small Syrian hamster, probably around one month. What's bugging me is that she sleeps all the time, even during the night, when I thought she would be jumping all over the place. The day she arrived she run in her wheel, bu that's it.

Is this normal? She gets up to eat/drink/pee, but then goes right back to sleep. Is it because she is very young? She doesn't eat a lot too, usually gets 2-3 sunflower seeds, a peanut and a treat I gave her everyday.

She doesn't seem to be in any kind of pain, nor there are any wet-tail signs. Should I just leave her alone until she feels like playing around?

[karinanlyla]

She may play when your sleeping, so it seems shes never up but actually she is! In regards to food, is that just what she chooses to eat from the food in her bowl? If so she may just not really like it that much, maybe change it? A lot of people on here use silvers mixes from ratrations as hammies love them x

[Lynternette]

She's still a baby and will sleep more. She's probably a bit scared as well. Her world has all changed and she needs time to adjust.

[lorrapaw]

Yes i agree felix slept a lot when i got him, i would come down in middle of night and find him up lol.

[Arraminta]

Hi it could also be because it has been so hot!! My hammies can't be bothered in this weather.. Last night was a bit better because it was cooler..

Hammy is playing hard to get and waiting til you've gone to bed..Lols

Arraminta x

[HammieandMerlin]

I've had my little one for four weeks, and she was 3.5 weeks when we brought her home, and she didn't do much of anything besides sleep and eat for about 5 days. I think she was just focused on adjusting and growing, because she's a little terror now

[Linn]

Well, turns out it is conjunctivitis, unfortunately in my ignorance I thought her eyes where shut because she was sleeping so much.

The left eye is worse as it's very red and white goo came out. The right one is just sticky , but opened a little when cleaned. Hope it won't get as bad as the left one. I'm cleaning with a cotton wool damped in warm water, will do so 3 times a day and see if she improves. Vets around the area only treat dogs/cats and have no clue how to treat exotic animals...

She isn't in pain, actually I think she liked because she got calmer the more I cleaned. She's so little, probably got it at the pet store. :\

Thanks for the help.

[gutterglitterxx]

I would definitely keep a close eye on her. My Cheeto had conjunctivitis not too long ago and I had to administer ointment to get it to go away. Unfortunately if it is that, cleaning may not be enough to clear it up. Gentle squishes to your hammie. xx