My hamster's bored... help?

Question

My teddy bear hamster Sharpie seems to be very bored in her cage, its actually quite small so I can't put in alot of things for her. Right now all I have is her wheel, chew toy and one of those salt wheel thingys that came with the cage. She doesnt like toilet paper rolls or the little plastic ball she just freaks out and pees herself if i place her in there. I take her out once a day and let her run around in my bed through my blankets, but thats about it. do you guys have any ideas of what i can do to keep her entertained?

Answer 1

hamsters usually like to sleep during the day anyway, and they'll probably play at night with the things that you have in the cage already, so maybe shes just tired and wants to sleep?

Answer 2

Hamsters get bored of doing the same thing everyday just like us humans. Creativity is the key to making them play actively everyday.

Some simple tricks are -

Spread her food and hide treats in her bedding instead of putting food in a food dish. This would make her burrow and search for food instead of eating mechanically from her food dish.

Give her a variety of toys to play with. By toys, I do not mean the expensive ones you get in pet shops. Your hammy would be equally or more happy with inane things like empty toilet toll tubes, toothpaste cartons with flaps cut off or even hollowed out plastic balls (non toxic plastic should be used). I even remove the base of Starbucks coffee cups to make simple tunnels for my hamsters.

Make a hamster proof room area where she can roam around freely with no danger of escaping. I use the bath tub in my house - dry it out completely, plug the drain hole and make her roam in the tub. To make it even more interesting, put some toys and maybe a stand alone exercise wheel there and leave her there for 20 minutes and watch her have fun.It is also a good way to interact and play with her too.

Remember variety is the key to a healthy and active hamster.