Seeing a highly active hamster stop moving overnight can trigger lots of fear particularly if the behavior seems out of nowhere. Hamsters are highly mobile creatures that pace up and down their cages for several hours during wake times.
The strange habit can set you down lots of rabbit holes in the bid to figure out what is going with the pocket rodent.
Why is my hamster not moving? Hamsters may stop moving due to boredom, fear, illness, and stress. Hamsters suffering from physical injuries such as spinal fractures often suffer mobility issues while those in their final moments may also be unable to move due to the effects of old age.
Apart from baby hamsters that often display little to no movements and new hamsters that are refusing to move due to a lack of familiarity with new surroundings, sudden immobility is typically caused by a serious underlying reason.
It is time to pay attention to the little guy to find out the underlying reasons behind the change in behavior so the right solutions can be formulated.
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Is it Normal For Hamsters To Stop Moving?
Constant mobility is a key part of hamsters’ lives so it is not normal for them to stop moving. Baby hamsters take time to learn how to walk and may not move much in the meantime. New hamsters typically require some time to settle in unfamiliar environments and movements can be curtailed before then.
However, if hamsters in old surroundings suddenly stop moving, that could be a clue that all is not well and something worth looking further into. Sickness is one of the core reasons why these furry babies may stop moving overnight and if that’s the case, early detection and treatment can make a huge difference.
You wouldn’t want to organize a trip with a vet when it is too late to save your beloved pet rodent, would you?
Possible Reasons Why Hamster Isn’t Moving
There could be several explanations behind your hamster’s newfound lack of interest in moving. Biological or naturally induced immobility may require time for the situation to return to normal. A vet’s attention is often required when hamsters stop moving due to illness or infections.
The underlying reason for the mobility issues often determines the best course of action so try to figure that out as soon as possible.
Why is a Baby Hamster Not Moving?
It can take a couple of days for baby hamsters to manage their first movements after birth. Even when they start taking their first walking steps, movements can be extremely slow. They may go a couple of days without taking any steps as they patiently learn how to walk and stay on their feet.
This is completely normal behavior and the best you can do is to leave them alone with their mother. It may be imperative to monitor their movements from afar to ensure they’re breathing but avoid picking them up at all costs because it can lead to rejection from their mother and increase their risks of getting eaten by the mother.
Baby hamsters are typically weaned at 3-4 weeks when they’ve mastered the art of walking, self-grooming, and caring for themselves.
Why is a New Hamster Not Moving?
Even the most physically active hamsters may stop moving upon arrival in new environments. As common prey hunted by larger animals, unfamiliar environments can spook a lot of fear in hamsters because they have no idea what’s in store for them.
Movements can be few and far between until they grow to trust that they’re safe. In the meantime, they often hide when they hear the sound of human footsteps or even voices from afar. They often sit in their hamster balls even when you try to allow them some time away from their cages.
It can be an uncomfortable period in the lives of these hamsters. However, this is normal behavior that often ends within a couple of days but before then you can try to make their lives more comfortable by offering some occasional treats.
Why is My Hamster Standing Still and Not Moving?
Hamsters stand still and stop moving due to fear or surprise. These pocket rodents have terrible vision and are forced to rely on their impeccable sense of smell and hearing to survive. They typically move a lot in their cages during their wake times to eat, burrow and play with their toys.
However, a sudden loud noise or uncharacteristic occurrence in the environment can lead to freezing as they attempt to figure out what is going on. They standstill, as a result, to listen and analyze the environment to determine whether their life is in some sort of danger or not.
Freezing is more common in the wild where hamsters are often targeted by larger predators. They stop moving at the slightest sounds to examine the situation, assess their options, and decide whether to flee based on how their ears interpret the scare.
Why is My Hamster Not Moving But Breathing?
Sickness can be a safe conclusion when your hamster is not moving but displaying signs of breathing. The earlier the specific health problem is detected, the quicker treatment can be prescribed. Common health problems that can cause this condition include:
1. Respiratory Issues
If your hamster is not moving and experiencing signs such as breathing difficulties, he may be battling respiratory issues.
Asthma and Pneumonia may not only hinder the pet rodent’s ability to breathe but can also affect mobility. Respiratory problems may escalate quickly when veterinary attention is delayed so speak to your vet asap.
2. Wet Tail Disease
Wet-Tail disease is a leading cause of serious physical weakness in hamsters. In severe cases, the little guy may stop moving while still breathing. Diarrhea is one of the main symptoms of the condition which can cause severe dehydration in the affected hamster.
When hamsters lose lots of bodily fluids without replacement, mobility issues become logical. Any delays in treatment can even lead to death.
3. Heatstrokes
Heatstrokes can affect your hamster’s ability and appetite for moving. Pet rodents may survive temperatures of up to 75F but once figures reach beyond that, heatstrokes may become inevitable.
Signs of heat stress include labored breathing and heavy panting as well as drooling, urine retention, and immobility. Heatstrokes can cause serious heart attacks that often result in death.
One of the most common signs of heatstrokes in male hamsters is letting their big balls hang all out to protect stored sperm from going stale.
Why is My Hamster Not Moving Its Hind Legs?
Hamsters often stop moving their hind legs when there’s trouble. It is abnormal behavior that needs further investigations to determine what is going on. The 2 main reasons that may stop hamsters from moving their rear legs include:
Accidental Dropping
Accidental drops and falls can cause injuries that may inhibit hamsters’ ability to move their hind legs. If your pet rodents are allowed to roam outside their cages, the chances of suffering accidental falls can be high.
When these little guys fall from a considerable height, many significant physical injuries may occur. In some cases, death could even arise. Hind legs may experience significant tissue damage when your pocket rodent lands on them from the fall.
The result is severe pain when they try to move the affected legs until the wound heals before movement can resume.
Paralysis
Hamsters may stop moving the rear legs due to a condition called Hind Leg Paralysis. The affected hamster starts limping overnight until movements cease completely in the hind legs.
Hind Leg Paralysis is prevalent in male hamsters from 6-10 months old and many studies have shown that this defect may be genetic. Cage Paralysis, which occurs when the hamster is confined in a cage with limited floor space can also lead to hind leg paralysis.
Symptoms of the condition include a lack of movement altogether or dragging the hind legs behind them as they move. Hind Leg Paralysis may be treatable during the early stages so we recommend booking an appointment with a vet as soon as possible.
Why is My Hamster Not Eating and Moving?
Hamsters often stop eating and moving when their health takes a tumble. This may be caused by extreme pain from dental problems or arthritis resulting in a lack of interest in food and water.
Unfortunately, their situation can deteriorate quickly because the absence of food leads to extreme body weakness. A quick visit to the vet can get your hamsters checked out for multiple conditions and treatment.
A sudden lack of mobility and loss of appetite is also common in elderly hamsters during their last moments. Often saddled with serious medical conditions, dying hamsters are unable to move their weak bones and typically lose complete interest in food.
Your vet may not be able to do much for hamsters on their last legs. Any treatments focus on minimizing their pain during those final moments before crossing over to the other side.
Why is My Hamster Cold and Not Moving?
If your hamster is cold to the touch and not moving, there could be a great chance that he’s passed away. While many hamsters die after prolonged health problems, others may cross over suddenly without any prior warnings.
For instance, hamsters may die from sudden heart attacks or strokes even if no signs of illness are evident in the prior days and hours. This can be very hard on you as a hamster parent and may leave you on a never-ending search for answers.
Unlike pet rodents that die after a prolonged illness, sudden deaths often rob many of us of the necessary closure.
What To Do If Hamster Isn’t Moving
The best way forward after discovering that your hamster has stopped moving is to contact a vet for the necessary tests to be conducted. Since mobility issues are often health-related, vets can be a shortcut to detecting and resolving the underlying causes.
Here are a few actions you can take at home to minimize mobility problems in your favorite pocket rodents.
Decrease the Cage Temperature
Check the cage temperature as soon as the little guy starts showing signs of heatstrokes like heavy panting and labored breathing. If the current temperature exceeds 75F, it is time to change that by moving the cage to an airy part of the home.
You can also switch on the air conditioner or fan to provide some relief from the excessive heat. However, avoid leaving the cage in the direct path of the fan or airconditioner’s blades.
Stop Bleeding
Is your hamster showing signs of bite marks from physical fights with cage mates? Or bleeding from physical injuries sustained after an accidental fall? Either way, first aid to stop blood loss should be a top priority.
You can put tissue paper and an antiseptic cream on the wound to minimize the risk of infections before booking a vet appointment.
Balanced Diet
Balanced diets can boost the little guy’s ability to heal from fractures after suffering physical injuries. This can limit mobility problems and ensure that hamsters are able to move as quickly as possible even after physical accidents.
Providing balanced diets to pocket rodents can also limit aggression and eliminate injuries from physical fights among cage or breeder tank mates. Occasional treats may also come in handy for the little guys in lightening their moods.
How to Know if My Hamster is Dying
Lack of mobility is a common sign in dying hamsters, especially among the elderly with weaker bones and organs. Hamsters live 2-3 years on average and typically suffer lots of health complications after their second birthday.
Signs of impending death in hamsters include:
- Complete rejection of food and water
- Lack of mobility
- Pain
- diminishing pulse
- Agitations
- Stiff jaws
- Tremors
Conclusion: Why Is My Hamster Not Moving?
Hamsters only stop moving due to certain precarious situations. From physical injuries caused by accidents to wet-tail disease and respiratory problems, a lack of mobility is often a sign that all is not well with your beloved furball.
A quick visit to the vet can help uncover the underlying reasons for the right treatment. However, you can always provide some first aid in the form of stopping blood loss from physical injuries or improving the temperature in the little guy’s cage environment.