Hamster Isn't Very Active

We received a 1 yr old hamster about 1 week ago, and he was very active. He got out of his cage one night and now sleeps a lot. He does not run like he used to when in his ball, and does not run between his cages like he did before (we have 2 cages connected).

Yet, he is still active when we hold him. We have no other animals (cat, dog, etc.) so I know that nothing got hold of him. What could cause a hamster to not be as active as he used to be?

Janice from Illinois

By jmz2005

Answers: Hamster Isn't Very Active

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By gedo (Guest Post) 10/25/2008

Don't worry...enjoy. Once your hamster has become an adult (after about a year), he/she has a few "wild" episodes, but basically settles down. I'm really enjoying mine now that the childhood stuff is over. He's much calmer, and less excited about things--perfectly healthy. Just more mature.

By Kacy (Guest Post) 10/23/2008

He might have found a chemical or swallowed something while he was out. If you think so, check and see if there is a vet that will see hamsters in your area.
It also could be that he was active at first because of all the excitement of a new place, but now he has gotten used to his environment. Hamsters are nocturnal so most of his activity is at night when your family is asleep.