Why Does My Hamster Suddenly 'Freeze'? | Owners' Questions | Hamsters (2024)
A hamster will 'freeze' temporarily due to fear or surprise. Their eyesight is poor, so they need to listen and sniff to work out what's going on. You can alter your hamster’s environment to make it less stressful. Making sure there are no other pets on the prowl, and keeping sudden noises to a minimum, is a good start.
This 'freezing' behavior is not usually due to a health condition. However, if your hamster does it all the time you might want to get him checked by a vet.
Sometimes hamsters freeze, listening out for danger - the hazard in this photo is obvious enough!
The usual cause of hamsters stopping still is fear. If the pet is new, this is bound to happen in the early days. It will be a strange environment for the pet, and there will lots of new things to get used to. Hamsters are made nervous by threatening noises. This could be something not immediately obvious to you, such as a noise on the TV, cell phone or radio. Like all the rodents, hamsters have very good hearing. Have you watched squirrels 'freeze' in the local park? It's the same thing going on there.
By stopping moving, a hamster can focus its senses on the threatening/unusual sound or smell. In the wild, freezing when they hear a noise allows them to judge whether there's any danger around, reducing their chances of being spotted by a predator.
Why Does My Hamster Suddenly 'Freeze'? A hamster will 'freeze' temporarily due to fear or surprise. Their eyesight is poor, so they need to listen and sniff to work out what's going on.
What might be the cause? Hamsters occasionally enter a form of hibernation, where their heart and breathing rate drops, and they are deeply asleep. It can be difficult to tell if they are in this state of hibernation or if they are dead.
A hamster's body temperature will drop during torpor, so feeling cooler or even cold to the touch isn't necessarily bad news, especially if they feel loose and floppy. If the room has remained warmer than 20°C and your hamster is cold and stiff, sadly, this makes it more likely they may have died.
A change in their immediate environment, such as a new cage or water bottle or being moved into a new room. Having another pet in the house. Suddenly having small children around. Their daily routine being changed.
When a hamster suddenly stops what it is doing, this most likely means it has detected a potential threat and is feeling frightened. It is a good idea to provide some hiding places in your hamster's cage, so it can go to its safe place.
Seventeen of the twenty hamsters frozen for between 50 and 70 min recovered and, of these, eight survived long periods. Animals frozen for longer than 70 min seldom revived fully, although spontaneous breathing was resumed in those frozen for 90 to 159 min and heart beats in those frozen for 160 to 170 min.
He is not moving at all. It's very likely that either he's gone into hibernation or, I am afraid to say he is in the stage where he will die very soon. If he's still breathing then try to gently warm him by putting him in a room that you know is warm enough, and then try to reverse the situation!
You might also notice that your hamster has become lethargic. Plus, hamsters that don't feel well will have a tendency to nip or bite due to their discomfort. Basically, if your pet hamster isn't acting like himself, you need to pay attention to his well-being & consult your veterinarian.
Coughs & colds – Hamsters can catch common coughs and colds just like humans. They may pass on their own with time, but it is always best to get them checked out by one of our vets.
Make sure to keep him warm. Sick hamsters often lose body heat and feel cool to the touch. You can try standing the cage on a hot water bottle so that he gets under floor heating. Also try wrapping a small hot water bottle in a towel and rest the hamster on it.
Scared A hamster who is scared or feeling threatened might stand on their hind legs or turn on their back, showing their teeth. They often puff out their cheeks and hold their ears flat or forward. You might hear them vocalising and, if you don't give them space, they might bite.
If your hamster is going into a state of hibernation, their environment may be too cold, not have enough daytime light, or they may think food resources are running low. If you are concerned about your hamster's hibernation or torpor, it's always best to consult a veterinarian.
Patience, regular feeding, lots of out-of-habitat playtime, and soft talk will go a long way in helping you bond with your hamster. Make sure to always approach your pet slowly and talk to them in a conversational manner. They'll learn to recognize your scent and voice and see you as a source of comfort.
Stressed hamsters can be incredibly hyperactive as they try to release accumulated tension. Aggression – If your hamster is holding its ears flat, baring its teeth or grunting a lot, it's probably on the attack. Such aggressive behaviour often indicates stress, so you will want to make an effort to make it feel safe.
Handling can be stressful for hamsters, but they can get used to it and it's important for regularly checking their health and welfare. Handle them carefully and considerately, in a confident but gentle manner, and read more about it in our guide to handling your hamster.
So, so when it gets really cold, yeah, hamsters go into hibernation where they don't move. and they don't have no pulse no more. So obviously if your owner, you take that. Yeah, and it's cold.
It's very likely that either he's gone into hibernation or, I am afraid to say he is in the stage where he will die very soon. If he's still breathing then try to gently warm him by putting him in a room that you know is warm enough, and then try to reverse the situation!
If you've discovered your hamster is hibernating, don't panic. By slowly increasing the temperature in their surrounding area, or moving them if necessary, they should begin to gradually wake on their own.
Be aware that rigor mortis, the stiffening of the joints, typically begins within 10 minutes to three hours after death and can last as long as 72 hours. Again, temperature will affect this process.
Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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