Lazy tubby

Pebbles82 · 11-18-2014, 02:18 AM

Charlie is going to get fat at this rate - it's all very well having a cosy den that you never come out of, but I reckon he needs more exercise. I noticed he felt tubbier when I picked him up this morning. Not fat but definitely more flesh on him! Mind you he was on the lean side before. He does run in his wheel at night but nearly so much as before I reckon. He is getting lazy. Any suggestions on how to get him more active?

Pygmypuff · 11-20-2014, 12:27 PM

Hi there!

I used to have an exceptionally lazy Syrian. Have you got a hamster ball? She used to just love running around in the ball; she'd go anywhere and everywhere and I have a feeling it really helped keep her weight down ^^

How much, and what of, are you feeding Charlie? How often do you give him treats?

Pebbles82 · 11-21-2014, 02:46 AM

He doesn't seem to want to run around in his ball any more. I put him in it for a bit when I get him out and he just sits there! So I get him out of the ball on a blanket on the sofa for a play, but he doesn't get any exercise that way as can't run very far. I suppose as long as he is using his wheel at night it is ok. He hasn't eaten much from his food bowl for a couple of days but I think he is sitting in his house eating his hoards! He just gets harry hamster plus a little bit of veg each day. About a tablespoonful. He gets treats about 2 or 3 times a week - no more than before. I think he is just a lazy home bod! My fault for putting a nice big cosy house in the cage!

Pygmypuff · 11-21-2014, 03:17 AM

Haha, oh dear! Sounds like you're giving him plenty of play time and a good amount of food, so I think he may just be a lazy guy! Maybe you could try halving his portions, or just cutting a little bit off them? Just keep checking his weight to see that he's not gaining or losing, just staying the same. If he starts to lose weight then add some extra food!

NiceCrocs · 11-21-2014, 07:28 AM

How old is he? Many hams will slow down after the first year or so, and particularly at this time of year. Syrians have a particular reputation for laziness.

If he's not burning off the calories though, cutting back on the food portions just a little bit may help maintain his weight

Just to check: does he have an 11 inch wheel?

Thin Lizzy · 11-21-2014, 08:51 PM

You don't want a thin hamster but then you don't want a fat one.
My female syrian was getting a bit tubby and over the last few days, I put less hamster food in her bowl,
Cut her treats in size by a third and I can see a difference!

I still give her fresh fruit & veg daily but slightly smaller.
Hope that helps xx

Willow Wisp · 11-22-2014, 01:57 AM

I think I remember you saying you have bought some coroplast to make up a playpen? maybe setting that up with lots of enrichment toys which are different from his cage toys might help spark his brain into active and investigation mode

Pebbles82 · 11-22-2014, 02:32 AM

Thank you people! Yes have decided to watch the treats. He has a 29cm karlie bogie wheel. He used to run in his wheel in the evening but now only does it during the night. His favourite hobby seems to be sleeping! I got him out of the cage last night and he had a play on the sofa. He seemed quite zippy for about 5 minutes, so I put his ball out, which he climbed into (but I think he just sees it as a den these days). Put the ball down for him to run. He ran for about 5 seconds then just sat in it eating some pouched food. Had him out again - he snuggled into a blanket and went to sleep!

Yes I really must get that run set up!

Pygmypuff · 11-22-2014, 02:34 AM

Haha! Oh dear! Very cute though.

Just out of interest, how old is he? If he's getting on a bit then he's likely to slow down.

Pebbles82 · 11-22-2014, 02:38 AM

In answer to your question about his age Nicecrocs - I am not quite sure! I was told he was 'just a baby' in the pet shop but he looked fully grown and when I asked how many weeks I got a stuttering evasive response! So he could have been any age I guess. Having said that I think he grew a bit more in the first 3 weeks which was when he started struggling in the vertical tubes of the Rotostak set up I had to start with (and when I got the new bigger cage) - but that could have been just weight increase I guess. I do wonder though if he was much older than 'just a baby' because
he seemed very institutionalised.