Hamster help!!!!?

Question

I went to change my hamster's bedding today. When I grabbed the cage, I saw the hamster was just laying there, all curled up. I touched him and he didn't move. We thought he was dead at first, but he then poked his head up. He wouldn't move at all. I'm not sure of his age. We've had him for 1 1/2 years, but I don't know how old he was when we got him. I think they average about 2 years. But last night, he was perfectly fine! He was running around in his little wheel! He has plenty of water and food. I don't think they hibernate. Is he sick or what?

Answer 1

The life span of hamster is two to three years. Your hamster is the equivalent of an 80 year old human. Most of the problems you are noticing are age related changes. As hamsters age they sleep more and more, and become weaker and slower. Keep feeding him the same as always, and avoid stress, heat and running out of water. Don't force feed or syringe feed, for this may make him choke or have problems. Definately do not feed strange foods such as sour milk, for it may induce diarrhea. Keep his cage clean with fresh water and food always available. He will likely pass away in his sleep without pain or discomfort. If he appears to be in pain, crying and constantly fidgeting, your veterinarian may be able to help.
Hamster can, and do hibernate if certain conditions prevail. Syrian hamsters will become sluggish at around 10c and start to fall asleep at around 5c. The ability of the hamster to hibernate has been retained. But the factors responsible for inducing hibernation in captivity are still not fully understood. Generally in captivity there is no need for hamsters to hibernate.
Hamsters are not good hibernators, and should not be encouraged to do so.
In captivity food and warmth is plentiful, there is no need for him to hibernate.
Before entering hibernation, most species eat a large amount of food and store energy in fat deposits in order to survive the winter. This is something that hamsters do not do and therefore will die of starvation if allowed to continue any length of time in the state of hibernation.
To prevent a hamster from hibernating it is suggested to keep your hamsters warm, keep the temperature above 15°C, keep them well lit for at least 12 hours a day. Provide plenty of food and handle regularly.

Answer 2

He might be sick or just old age. 1 1/2 years is pretty long.

Answer 3

My hamster is 10 months old now. She had done that last month.. we thought she was getting sick or dieing too.. but nows shes perfectly fine. Its getting old.. and yeah they only live for like 2 years. So maybe its slowing down and getting tierd more because its old. ♥

Answer 4

Oh he is just either tired or old...nothing to worry about.

Answer 5

He is Hibernating, Preggy, or sick

Answer 6

OK! I don't want to scare you but I'm just saying that he might be nocturnal or just sick! TAKE HIM TO A VET IMMEDIATELY!

Answer 7

I'd suggest that you take him to a vet, just to be sure that nothing's wrong with him.

Good luck, I hope I helped, and Happy New Year!

Answer 8

I have had the same experience with the hamsters my daughter has. We are new at being hamster owners. Whenever this occurred with them, we both thought they were dead. One of the cages we have has all these neat tubes for the hamster to crawl around in and this one brand new hamster was seemingly stuck upside down in this one tube and nothing we did got it to move or twitch or anything. I even banged the cage on the table to try and jar the hamster down and out of the tube into the cage so I could get it out and go bury her. Still no movement out of the little thing. So I had my friend come from across the street to help. She has more hamster experience than I do. She took the tube apart and when she went to poke the booger down and out of the tube, guess what! It moved and scared us all half to death. It was very much still alive and had just been sleeping and refusing to be woke up. I have several stories about sleeping hamsters, but that one is the cutest. So don't worry about your hamster when anything like that happens. It is all right. More than likely it is just sound asleep and doesn't want to be bothered. They are so cute to be so darned stubborn like that!

Answer 9

A few years ago when I had my hamster at college, he did the same thing. I contacted a vet and he said to put my little in a dark quiet corner, give him a small amount of water with a little sugar or honey in it and check on him every few hours. Cover his little cage up so he will be undisturbed. I checked on him in the middle of the night and he was up playing again.

I had my Fievel for 4 years, a very long tome for a hamster.

Answer 10

They r noctural. 3 1/2 years is old for a hamster. Same thing happened to me it could lift its head but thats it. It died 3 hours later. I hope its not the same case here. Make sure it has plenty of food and water and put some fresh foods such as cabbage (the best medicine 4 them when they r sick) or carrots, and cut grapes. If it doesnt notice the smell at all I dont know wat to tell u but dont move it watever u do! It could b dying. Watever happens, I hope 4 the best.