Dwarf hamster Q - is this normal?

Question

My hamster (Robo) has taken to running really fast on her wheel and then laying out really flat on the wheel with her eyes half open -- legs sprawled out behind her. It's cute, but is it normal. I've had her for almost two months and it's a new behavior. Couldn't it be that she not feels comfortable enough to rest in a relatively vuneralbe position? Or could there be something wrong. She's eating normally and has a normal activity level and circadian rhythm.

Answer 1

Its not normal! what you should do is that you should take out the wheel...then watch its behavior and then see if its daily eating patterns or any thing has changed...if it continues with it problem contact your vet and ask him what you can do

Answer 2

It's probably just a habit she has and no health problems but she could've taken some bad medicine or got bitten by some animal with a disease, or she could be a runt....

Answer 3

Dosnt Sound Like Theres Anything Wrong Lol

Its Just Stretching Probably

Answer 4

If everything else is seeming normal, it's just a new trick she's learned and feels safe enough not to hide to take a rest. In the two months you've had her, she's probably decided you aren't going to eat her :).

Keep an eye out of course for anything else out of the ordinary that may seem related - it sounds like she's just laying down and not uncontrollably falling down, so I'm pretty sure its just a new trick and no desire to hide. If you notice something odd like your hamster falls over when walking (anyone can trip, so don't panic the first time!) then I'd consider a vet trip.

It really does sound like a healthy happy hamster though!

Answer 5

She could be wearing herself out and laying on the wheel after running or she's hot and doesn't have a cool place to lay in her cage. Try clearing a spot of bedding so she can lay at the bottom of the cage where its cool, then put her in it and see what she does.

Answer 6

no,shes healthy

Answer 7

Prolly just a habit, like my hammy sits on his butt against the cgae after taking a jogg on his wheel. :D luck to ya!

Answer 8

I've noticed that hamsters tend to develope kind of strange habits, which is one reason why they're so cool. maybe she thinks it's fun or maybe she gets tired out from all the running. as long as she seems healthy than I don't think ou have anything to worry about.

Answer 9

I wouldn't think there's anything wrong with her, if there was, she probably wouldn't use the wheel much at all. She probably does it to wear herself out, then lays on the cool plastic/wire of the wheel to cool her stomach (amongst other things) down. Try putting something naturally cool in the cage, like a small sheet of rigid plastic or metal (if she chews it, remove it!) and put her on it to see what she does, observe her for a while and remove it before you go away incase she does any harm to herself.

Check in your local pet store to see if they offer anything to keep small pets do, I know my local store does them for rabbits, I guess it would work for other animals too!

:)

Answer 10

It is normal behavior. You will note as time passes, your hamster will discover more and more innovative habits which look cuter. So sit back and admire your hammy finding out intelligent ways to keep herself active.

It might interest you to know that one of my very "intelligent" dwarfies does somewhat similar things. Only difference is he exercises fast and jumps from the fastly turning wheel into his bedding which he has bundled near the wheel for a soft landing, very much like a circus artist :-))