Just got my 1st Hamster Sunday, Questions!

[Jess19]

Ive never owned a hamster before, and i just got my first one (there so darn cute) Sunday at PetSmart.
Ive researched them a lil on the net but, i still dont know how they normally act and everyone has me scared to death my lil ones going to get wettail.
So here are my questions...
1) Do they usually sleep in the day? Mine kinda stays in one spot in the morning and curls up with his eyes closed, if i bother him it startles him and makes him irritable. Is it normal for him to be like that? he walks kinda like hes drunk, but hes mainly only this way in the morning.

2) This is what really scares me and has me worrying, this morning i was looking at him (to make sure it was a him) and his bedding is literally sticking on his behind. His stool looks normal, not really runny or anything. So is there behind being dirty a definite sign for wet tail?.. I will have to see how energetic he is later, like i said he tends to be irritable in the afternoon.

3) Under his water bottle its wet, and today he was just laying under it like he was trying to get wet. Is that normal? was he trying to clean himself?..

It really sucks that they only live 2-4 years . I got a hamster cage with a lil upstairs , and we didnt put any bedding up there cause it was just like a petting area, And after we put him in it we went to check on him and he had carried his bedding up there, i dont see how he did it , amazin lil guy.

[Shihtzulover12]

You shoulve done more research before you got them i mean you dont even no when they sleep ! 1. yes they sleep during the day its perfectly normal 2.It may be wet tail but ur 3rd question states that he was sleeping under the water bottle so its prob. the water bottle leaking andhe gets wet. 2. its just a comfy spot maybe?? and i dont think he was trying to clean himself if he was sleeping there. im sry if i sound mean but before you got the hamster you shouldve done more research !

[dwankrista]

first of all, congrats on your little guy! :) if you're concerned it's a good idea to take your little guy to a vet for a checkup. if it is wet tail early diagnosis is your best bet. the solid stool tells me he's not terribly ill (though it could be on its way). it is a good idea to have him checked out. the bedding sticking to his butt could be for a number of reasons. is he short or long haired? what kind of bedding are you using?

hams are nocturnal which means they will sleep a LOT during the day and be active at night. disturbing them during the day is a good way to get a nasty nip (as i found out as a child :D). the leaky water bottle should be removed. wet bedding isn't good for a number of reasons and why he would be sleeping under there is unbeknownst to me. it's probably best to get a new bottle and use a dish until you can get one.

as for his walking, staggering isn't a good sign if he seems to be off balance. that could also be a symtpom of illness. if it's just until he comes back to his senses after being woken up he could just be groggy, but it's better sfae than sorry. :)

bets of luck with your little cutie!

[Jess19]

Thank you both for your help. I have a short-haired hamster, and ive been using pine.
When he gets woken he acts as tho hes super tired so hopefully thats all, still going to watch him super close til hubby gets home, See im new to hamsters hubby aint, but hes at work.
Is there a certain amount of bedding ?? is it just enough to cover the bottom or do they need to have a little less or extra to nest?...
Once again thanks for your help :)

[animalmagic]

Pine is a no no for small animals as it can cause respiratory infections. When you can, switch to Aspen or Carefresh. Steer clear of cedar-based bedding too.

Use something like that to coat the floor, and then as well as that you'll need something warm for them to make a nest with, like a paper based soft bedding. Not the fluffy, cotton wool-type stuff though. Shredded paper towels can work.. but there's lots of beddings you can buy that are of that kind of consistency. Make sure they're made of natural materials though.

He's probably just grouchy because you're waking him up- theyre nocturnal (obviously) so need their daytime sleep. Try not to wake him when he's sleeping.

Hope that helped a bit :)

[animalmagic]

P.S Do you have any pictures of him and his cage? Would love to see the little guy, and what he lives in! :)

[Jess19]

my aviator is the only pic. Ty for your help, Will switch asap!

[PetLuver21257]

Welcome to PetsHub and CONGRATS! What's his name?!

Pine is bad!!! Don't use pine! Get rid of the pine in his cage and go out and buy either Aspen or Carefresh! It can cause respitory problems and he may even have an allergic reaction to it. But good luck and I want to see PICTURES! :D ;)

[Shihtzulover12]

Congrats :D im sry i yelled i was just a little fustrated with someone else lol congrats on ur boy :D Pine isnt good at all you should switch asap to aspen or carefresh congrats on ur little dude lol

[Frostking9]

that cage looks kinda small:hypnotize how big is the cage?:drool:

[mr gerbs]

ok you should of done more research no pine at all it can easlyily kill them. my friends switched to it(didn't know better) and their hamsters died on the same day. and with hamsters a small cage isn't bad like you have. but get lots of add ons. habitrail are the best. they are very expensive but if you wnat to be a good owner and have a happy hammy get a habitrail or get some habitrail add ons. outposts are they best for hammys. he will spend most of his life in it. they love em. not so much with the mazes though don't get them.:rolleyes:

ps since your a parent and adult i am sure you can afford like a 100 bucks or something