Elderly hamster rolled off ledge in sleep, do I take it off him?

[FurryBabyMama]

My elderly syrian has those small pet steps from zooplus. I just found him asleep on the very top, it’s a good thing I was there cause he just rolled off in his sleep and i caught him in my hand. He is quite old, hes about 2 years and 4 months. Am i right in thinking i should take it off him now hes falling asleep in random, unsafe places? He was my first hamster, so I’ve not had a really old one before and don’t know what to do.

[Pebbles82]

I think at that age I would remove any levels now. You can set it all up on one level with some interesting floor toys to make up for it. I had to do something like that when our Syrian was about that age. Did a video of his set up. The only "level" left was his flat house roof which had a low step up to it just in case he wanted to go up there but I removed ramps, shelves and anything he could fall off.

It means a bit of a change of cage set up but ours accepted it because he was distracted by the new floor toys. Removing the levels actually created more space for floor toys. I added the large cork log (not just a tunnel but a low level climbing thing for a bit of gentle clambering , the savic rat tube along the side and the hyacinth ball which I would stick pumpkin seeds in every few days so he kept busy pulling them out. The hyacinth tunnels are nice too and can be chewed.

I actually left his shelf in but moved it right up to the roof - so it still gave overhead cover so he didn't feel too exposed, but wasn't accessible.

Within a couple of months I had also removed the low steps up to the house roof as was worried about him falling from those. It was much better with no levels at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIxHqvr9wTY&t=63s

[CookieBlossomBella]

Serendpity has given you some good advice there.
I ditto that you should make the cage all one level. It keeps everything closer together so your ham does not have to travel too much which is a benefit to them in old age and it also means there is nothing to fall off of and hurt themselves on.

[FurryBabyMama]

Okay thank you, I’ve removed all levels and climbing toys and put his water and food closer to his nest. He never does much apart from sleep nowadays. I think he’s only got a few weeks left to be honest.

[Pebbles82]

Aw. I found our hammy had a bit of a spurt after he could reach everything on one level. Just keep him comfy - maybe put a few treats near his nest. And maybe some babyfood - the 4 months baby food is usually safe (ie without onion, spices and tomato) - I used to put it in the little lid from the baby food jar. Also make sure the floor of his cage doesn't look to empty now - some familiar things from shelves could be put on the floor. He may do more at night that you don't see - a test would be a treat at the far end of the cage and see if it goes. Is he still using his wheel?

[FurryBabyMama]

He does still wander around sometimes. He’ll pop out for some food and walk around the cage a bit, usually for like 10 minutes before going back to bed. Im up quite a lot at night cause my 11 month old never sleeps. He doesnt use his wheel much and he seems to be eating less. I try to give him some baby food every time my daughter has it,
He loves it. I check him like 4 times a day. He really tries to come out and be interactive but you can tell hes just got no energy. Hes starting to look thinner too and he feels more bony when i stroke him

[klainep]

Poor little thing. My hamster is showing the signs of age too and I'm so sad!!