Why is my pet hamster acting funny?

Question

I have a pet hamster, who is around 6 months old. I've had her since she was 8 weeks & she's never done this before. She is packed on both sides & refuses to let go, even with a gentle "push" on her cheeks. She's also depserately trying to climb from her cage, another thing she's never done. She's been acting this way for about 3 hours now and I'm starting to get pretty concerned. Any ideas?

Edit: I spend tons of time with her, there are two of us with her pretty much all day every day & we play with her a lot.

[Edit] It's also kind of hard to take her to a vet, even if she is sick, as it's 2:16 in the morning.

Answer 1

Packing in the cheeks is normal for hamsters so not to worry about that! Hamsters are storing animals and hide food in there cheaks and eat when he/she's ready. I've had so many hamsters I can't even count and all of them have done the same exact thing your hamsters doing. I don't know if I anwsered your question but if I didn't I suggest bringing your hammy to the pet store/ or breeder/ or shelter that you got her from and have them look at her!

And for the cage thing I suggest playing with her more, and putting some more toys in her cage and some things for her little growing teeth to knaw.

Answer 2

Here's some info i found about constipation in hamsters Constipation usually occurs due to a lack of water, stomach blockage or eating too much dry pelleted food. The symptoms of constipation are a lack of droppings, or a reduced amount of droppings, in the cage. Any droppings that are present may be small and hard. The hamster may also be seen to be having difficulting in passing faeces or may walk 'hunched up' as if in pain. Other symptoms may include loss of apetite and some wetness around the anus. If the hamster has constipation ensure water is available and feed some fruit and vegetable. Feeding a drop of vegetable oil may also help to relieve the constipation. If the hamster is not making recovery by the following day it is best to take the hamster to a vet who can give some medication to relieve the constipation. Once treated by the vet the hamster should recovery within a few days. i'll post the website below for more info on hamster illnesses.

Answer 3

Well it's a very long time since I last owned a hamster but that doesn't sound particularly unusual behaviour to me. They are forever trying to escape however big their cage is. My sister's hamster had it's own bedroom and it still tried to get out.

If you are still worried when the vet reopens take her then

Answer 4

jaja don't worry its normal i use to have 2 hamsters(one before the Other) which i Adore and they use to do the same things...hamsters sleep all day and play at night!!! that's theire way of playing....try to do this....grab some boxes or stuff your hamster can climbed and make a square put your hamster ther sow he can play ....actually now that i remember it could be that your hamster teeth are to long ...that bothers them allot and put them hyperactive try to cut a big piece of carrot and give it to him or her that would help...okay, take care of your hamster

Answer 5

Believe it or not but your hamster is depressed.try interacting with your hamster more or if you do not have time to do that then you should get your hamster a companion of the same sex unless you want some little hamsters.

Answer 6

well do you take it out enough it may just need some exercise yep that may be all or it could be getting that really bad disease that hamsters only get thats how my hamster died or try and give it gaderrade.

Answer 7

She's probably in heat.

Do you have a male hamster near her at all? Maybe she's even pregnant.

Answer 8

she is probally sick take her 2 the vet

Answer 9

What would you do if you were locked in a cage?

Answer 10

Maybe she's on the rag...