There is no denying that hamsters are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. These cute furballs tend to sleep for 8-12 hours a day and are primarily nocturnal, meaning they’ll sleep for the better part of the day and become active at night. But should you be worried if your hamster sleeps longer than he’s supposed to?
Your hamster might be sleeping so much if it is adjusting to new environments. It could also be that everything’s normal, only that you’re yet to understand its sleeping cycles. However, oversleeping can also be due to hibernation or a medical problem that needs immediate attention.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at hamsters and their sleeping patterns. I’ll help you understand what the standard sleeping patterns of a hamster are and teach you about when you should get worried.
Reasons Why Your Hamster Is Sleeping So Much
Adjusting to New Environments
If you just brought your cute little hamster home, then he might exhibit some unusual sleeping patterns before adjusting to the new environment. Expect your hamster to take a couple of days to several weeks to get acclimated.
One of the best ways to get your hamster to settle in a lot faster is to ensure his cage is homey enough for his unique needs. That means investing in interactive toys to keep him busy.
The BBjinronjy Hamster Toys Set on Amazon.com is an example of a quality toy that’ll keep your hamster engaged when active during the night.
Moreover, since hamsters are likely to get stressed when kept in loud environments, it is best to set up their cage in a quiet, well-isolated location.
Setting up several nest boxes will also help your hamster to feel at home and settle in a lot faster. As prey in the wild, hamsters always prefer to stay in locations with several hiding areas, hence the need to set up three to four nesting areas for your tiny family member to hide and rest during the day.
Unfavorable Cage Temperature
Hibernation is another reason why your hamster might be sleeping longer than usual. Winter temperatures can get cold in the USA, especially in states like:
- Alaska
- North Dakota</