is this usual hamster behaviour?

HammieMumma · 08-23-2016, 02:34 PM

Hi.

My dwarf hamster Tommy is quite a lazy little fella. He doesn't like too much excercise and sleeps a lot. Recently though when we have him out for free play he will run around for a few minutes happily exploring and then all of a sudden will lie flat to the floor ans stays still with his eyes open. Sometimes he will snuggle up in a ball or on his side and sleep. Is this normal? Is he just resting? He didn't use to so this. He is a bit overweight at the moment so wany yo give him as much excercise as possible but he just doesn't seem to want to!

Attached is a picture of him doing this.

Thanks for reading x

xFluffyHamsterx · 08-23-2016, 03:09 PM

Some hamsters lay flat after exercise because they're hot. He might just be tired and decide to have a nap there and then. Something that could have happened is that something has frightened him (noise) and is acting dead in fear - how many times has he laid flat? It seems more so that he is just hot and tired after exercising.

cypher · 08-23-2016, 09:46 PM

Is he used to having free play? If it's new it is possible he gets suddenly scared by something, even something you may not even be aware of & that would cause him to lie flat which is one of their defensive instincts to try & make themselves as small & invisible to predators as possible.
Young hams do sometimes just curl up or suddenly stop what they're doing & fall asleep in the middle of running around, it can look a bit strange sometimes!
Did you get him a new wheel, I think I remember you planning on getting a better one for him to encourage him to exercise more in the cage.
As I said in your other thread about his weight some males can be a bit lazy but as long as he has the opportunity to exercise & has a good diet without too many treats he should be ok.

HammieMumma · 08-24-2016, 09:04 AM

Thanks for replying ��

Yeah its only recently we've had him out on the floor for free play and he only lies flat when he is by the door so maybe there's a breeze or something we can't hear that has scared him. His only done it a couple if times tbh I think he is suffering in this heat and the past few days he has been going to sleep in his cage put in the open instead of in his usual hidden places. I don't want to put him anywhere draughty but is there anything I can do to cool him down? He does seems to get a bit sweaty when his running about too!

I have ordered him an enclosed wheel like you suggested so hopefully he should have that soon so for now he has the old one and we get him out for free play and in his pen ��

Thanks again guys x

cypher · 08-24-2016, 09:05 PM

It may well be the heat, didn't think of that, sorry!
You can put things in his cage like a ceramic mug or tile that's been in the fridge for a well, terracotta flower pots are good to chill too, if you keep a fan on that will help but make sure it isn't directed at the cage.
Does he have a sand bath? They often like to lie in the sand when it's warm.
They don't sweat so he may just not have been grooming properly or he's been scent marking a lot, either way a sand bath will help to keep his coat clean too.

HammieMumma · 09-02-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

It may well be the heat, didn't think of that, sorry!
You can put things in his cage like a ceramic mug or tile that's been in the fridge for a well, terracotta flower pots are good to chill too, if you keep a fan on that will help but make sure it isn't directed at the cage.
Does he have a sand bath? They often like to lie in the sand when it's warm.
They don't sweat so he may just not have been grooming properly or he's been scent marking a lot, either way a sand bath will help to keep his coat clean too.

Sorry I took so long to reply! Been so busy. Yeah I think he has been very warm as sleeping in the open but now it's cooled down he seems much more lively. Yes he loves his sand bath I even put it in the fridge for a while to get it cool and he lived it. I'm also pleased to say since your advice on his weight he has lost 5 grams and already seems more energetic. His had lots more time in his pen and we've completely stopped using the ball. He is much happier with free play. We've cut back the treats too. He doesn't seem to use his new wheel but will keep trying him with that one. Thank you for you're advice I feel much less worried now he is slowly and healthily loosing the chubb 😊

cypher · 09-02-2016, 09:37 PM

That's great to hear HammieMumma he does sound very happy & healthier too