Lazy hamster

RedSky · 08-10-2013, 02:15 AM

Hi, I have a most likely hybrid dwarf who was living in a bin cage with habitrail extensions, she started to refuse to go in the bin, if I put her in she would run back to her bed, put tasty treats in their and they were never touched, so I gave up. She now lives in the habitrail stuff, yeah I know most people don't like them but she wasn't going in to the tub anymore.
Well now she is doing the same thing. She is staying in one 'pod' she's not touching her food in the other pod, and this morning she was asleep next to her wheel rather than the bed. She has lost weight, probably because she isn't going to the food pod. She seems fine otherwise. This has only changed since I swapped the external wheel for a silent wheel in the other pod, the old wheel was past the food pod, and I don't think she used the other one, other than to sleep in before I added a smaller pod as a bed.
Any idea why she won't explore?

POLAR WHITES · 08-10-2013, 02:19 AM

I am unsure but I would be putting her in one level single cage or bin with her food and toys wheel etc. If there is no difference I would be taking her to the vets as she has lost weight and there might be some thing medically wrong with her . could she be scared ?

RedSky · 08-10-2013, 02:38 AM

She doesn't seem scared, just like she can't be bothered going to the food pod. There was some millet in the pod with the wheel that she has been eating, but that was there for ages and she has only just taken notice of it. If I offer her food she eats it like she's starving. I have scattered food around her and she has gone on a munching mission! I just don't understand why she won't explore. I still have the old bin, but its not as big as her current set up (even if it is habitrail) that said I suppose if she is only using one pod then doesn't make much difference.

racinghamster · 08-10-2013, 02:53 AM

Hi RedSky. It sounds to me as if she might be a little unsure or disorientated and isn`t willing, or is reluctant to use the other sections of these pods. POLAR WHITES suggestion of getting her into a single level bin or even a Ferplast Duna style tank would be the best solution here. Whatever her reasons are for acting the way she is, if it`s preventing her from eating and she`s losing condition, her environment could be to blame, so look for a new Duna or a Zoozone 1 for her as soon as you can.

If you are in the UK there are some great bargains to be had online. If you are elsewhere, then making her a storage Bin cage with mesh would be a good alternative, or even a glass tank.

RedSky · 08-10-2013, 03:01 AM

I might clean out the spare tank and put her in there or one of the bin cages. They have mesh tops, but not walls as they are also spares incase my gerbils fall out. Have to talk to OH about where the cage could live first.
Thanks for your help.

racinghamster · 08-10-2013, 03:03 AM

Sounds good.

Keep your eyes open for a second hand Ferplast Duna or a hamster cage that would suit her because I`m sure she would benefit from being able to see out of the cage. Bins are okay, but meshing them at the front/sides is better than just the lid being meshed, but is fine temporarily.

If you have gerbils too, then it`s handy to have spare cages anyway for potential fall outs or emergencies. x

RedSky · 08-10-2013, 10:47 AM

They are transparent, so she could see out. She really doesn't seem to pay attention to what is going on outside her cage. That said one of her sisters is blind (she lives with her other sister).

**Axeria** · 08-10-2013, 01:16 PM

I think you found a good solution in taking her out of the habitrail, the inviroment in the low airflow systems can make hammies sluggish

racinghamster · 08-11-2013, 01:11 AM

Ah, she lives with another hamster? There could be some rivalry going on then, especially in a modular set up, perhaps that`s why she`s reluctant to eat or travel into certain areas? I would definitely get them into an open cage or Bin. Blindness or partial blindness could also be hereditary, so it might be worth checking her for signs of eye issues.

Transfer all the old bedding and substrate into any new habitat as this will reduce any stress. Let us know how this goes.

RedSky · 08-13-2013, 12:27 AM

Sorry didn't explain that very well, the blind hamster (Rosie) lives with a third hamster. They were all bought together, but the biggest one (this one) started attacking Rosie so had to be removed. We've decided that we can clear some space next to the snail tank she can live there, but we will have to make sure she doesn't get too hot since they have a heat mat. I will leave as big a gap as I can (about 2 foot at most). Thanks for your help.