my hamster used to be somewhat antisocial, especially during the day, though she would go in her ball for about a half hour in the evenings if she was being energetic.
the past couple of days, she's been extremely energetic, never wants to get out of her ball, and when we force her out she runs up and down the ladder, tries to get her ball through the top of the cage, falls from the second story and gets back up and does it again! she's constantly trying to claw her way out of her cage, and she used to be perfectly content to be a big ball of lazy and sleep all day!
what's up with her?? the only things i can think of are that she might have gotten off her normal nocturnal schedule when she had to live in the dark for a couple days, or that we recently changed her bedding from the pink papery stuff to pine shavings. but i don't see how either of these could explain her recent insanity!
any ideas or suggestions? it's very bizarre to me and i want to make sure nothing is wrong.
2006-07-17 12:37:27 · 10 answers · asked by rachel m 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
p.s. I would stick with the papery stuff - wood shavings don't absorb as well and get soggy and gross. Carefresh is really good - and its cheaper if you buy the regular instead of the colored kind.
2006-07-17 12:44:41 · answer #1 · answered by Rinzy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the pine shavings causing problems. It sounds like she is trying to escape from her cage! Make sure she's not scratching herself, she may also have mites. It can make them itchy and crazy and it can also come from the shavings. The dust from it can also be irritating. Is there another animal or something new in the room that could be making her nervous? Is her cage next to a register or direct sunlight or next to a radio? Is she pregnant? They go into heat every four days or so, and you can usually tell if that's the problem by petting her back-she'll freeze and lift up her tail like she's ready to mate. If she is new, she could have been impregnated by her brothers because they can get pregnant at 8 weeks of age. She may also be going stir crazy if she doesn't have a wheel in her cage. Make sure you get a safe one with a solid bottom and no bar she can get her head caught in!
2006-07-17 12:58:20 · answer #2 · answered by Emily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the pine shavings might have something to do with it... i read in a book that pine is bad for hamsters because it hurts their respitory system over time... your hamster might not like it and tries to get out of the cage away from the new bedding... try puting the pink papery stuff back in and see what happens...
2006-07-17 12:45:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if it entirely explains her behavior, but pine shavings are actually toxic for small animals and can cause severe allergic reactions. You may want to try something like CareFresh or aspen shavings (I actually use a mix of the two for my hamsters and mice) instead and see if that helps.
2006-07-19 06:24:25 · answer #4 · answered by star_momma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm...nicely i had a syrian hamster named Lenny...he went somewhat bald once yet thats it lol. She may have some style of pores and skin situation...i'd take her to the vets if it includes on for some extra days. It probably wont be severe so do not problem. The vet can furnish you with medicine. They gave Lenny some and his hair grew again nicely!
2016-10-14 21:57:26 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL! What they said, maybe she's in heat. Or it may be the pine shavings.. I think I heard before that the oils or the scent of pine can irritate hamsters, gerbils, ect because it's so strong. Maybe its the pine?
2006-07-17 12:47:44 · answer #6 · answered by Mizzy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is nothing wrong that is normal behaivor for a hamster, you want her to be energetic, a lazy hamster usually means a sick hamster.
2006-07-17 14:49:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately your hamster is retarded.
2006-07-17 12:48:11 · answer #8 · answered by echiasso 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just be happy she is active
2006-07-17 15:43:08 · answer #9 · answered by Catcanscratch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she's probably in heat.
2006-07-17 12:41:16 · answer #10 · answered by christigmc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋