What do hamsters... uh, do?

[Veers]

I'm taking care of my girlfriend's hamster that I got her about six months ago while she is living in a dorm. I think at some point she's going to take him with her, but for right now, he's here.

He's got everything he needs really... His cage is pretty spacious, he's got a wheel, water, food, a house to nest and hide in... But he's just acting strange. All he does is sleep all day, and as far as I see, all night. I check on him several times a day, take him out for a few minutes in hopes of energizing him, but he's pretty lathargic.

We took him out last night and let him run around the bed top for about a half hour and he was more energetic after that, but today, he's back to the lazy state he's been in since she brought him here.

Is this normal? Any ideas? Thanks.

[Melissa82]

Hamsters sleep a lot. They are awake at night and pretty much just run in their wheel. My hammie tends to wake up at 10:30pm and it doesn't give me much time to put him in his ball to run around the house, lol.

[LastEchoes]

Sounds normal. Hamster are very nocturnal and the older they are, the more they sleep. Also, sometimes they go into almost hibernation mode.
My last syrian hamster, when he was old would sleep for DAYS at a time.

[Punkygirl0101]

Thats hamsters lol.

Mine sleep most of the time, and I am very nocturnal myself, and take them out to run in their balls when I see them up.

[Pamnangel]

Sounds like a hamster alright.  Sleep, eat, poo and sleep some more. 

[eveliens]

I've come to the conclusion that hamsters are quite possibly the most boring pet next to frogs and hermit crabs  Mine just sleeps. She runs on her wheel maybe for an hour and hangs out for another few hours before going back to bed. So, your g/f's hammie sounds quite normal.

[sawyer_gota_gun]

Hamsters can actually be alot of fun...
I've got 4 syrians right now; I've had 8 hammies in all and I really enjoy 'em.
Most hams are really active and sometimes I spend over an hr playing with mine, letting them run all over me and they love it when i make a slide outta my arms or legs and let them sliide down.

Your hamster actually seems sick. That is NOT normal behavior for him to sleep all the time. Maybe he's bored? My hams sleep practically 24/7 when they're bored. Try giving him toys to play with. A wheel, house, and water and food isn't all he needs  .

What are the dimensions of the cage?

[Pamnangel]

I've got 8 hermies that would like to talk to you about that.

I've come to the conclusion that hamsters are quite possibly the most boring pet next to frogs and hermit crabs 

[Randomrat]

I have 7 hamsters currently and I have had 9 others who have passed on. I think they are the greatest small animal next to rats! Hamsters are nocturnal and each hamsters has different sleeping patterns.

How old is he? if he is older then that woudl explain why he is sleeping alot. Is he shy? My hamster Prince is friendly towards humans once out of his cage but when he is in his cage he is shy and the second a human is in the room he pretends to sleep. Are you sure his cage is big enough? Hamster needs way more room then mice and gerbils tend to require. This can cause them to be very bored if he has little space. Is his wheel big enough? If his wheel is to small then he can't run in it comfortably and will be bored. I agree with sawya_gotta_run he would be much happier with more toys of some sort.

Hamsters can be boring if they are bored just like any other animal including humans.

Are you 100% positive he isn't sick/hurt this isn't very normal for hamsters to sleep 24/h when they are young.

Oh and if your hamster is sleeping for days at a time make sure you wake him up for a drink. It isn't natural for hamsters to hibernate but if it gets cold then they do tend to hibernate and might not wake up to drink.

I hope he is okay.

[eveliens]

I've got 8 hermies that would like to talk to you about that.

I've come to the conclusion that hamsters are quite possibly the most boring pet next to frogs and hermit crabs 

 

LOL, sorry, they're just not my cup of tea. I know people love 'em but to me they look like spiders with shells. I do think their little antenna and eyestalks are cool though.

[Randomrat]

yeah but their looks don't determine if they are boring or not.