Why Does My Hamster Sleep So Much? Find Out the Reasons!

Hamsters are adorable creatures that love to dig and burrow and stay active. But there are so many things that are difficult to comprehend about hamsters. And for that reason, hamster lovers need more time to understand their needs and wants fully.

Hamsters sleep 6-14 hours a day but not in one go. Instead, they sleep in several cycles for 24 hours. Moreover, hamsters love to sleep during the day while they engage in other activities during the night.

Still, if you think your hamster is sleeping more than usual, you should seek vet assistance. This article discusses hamsters’ sleeping patterns, so let’s dive into it!

How Much Should A Hamster Sleep?

Most often, hamsters need 6-8 hours of sleep in 24 hours, but some experts suggest it is normal for hamsters to sleep up to 14 hours during the day. One point to consider is that they do not complete their sleep requirement in one go; instead, they love to take naps now and then.

Moreover, like humans, rodents also spend one-third of their sleep time in deep sleep, also known as the REM (rapid eye movement) phase. Note that this is the phase where humans dream, and there is a more quick movement of eyes.

Pertaining to that, hamsters and other rodents also encounter REM at the same time as humans. In addition, hamsters are also night owls, which means they are more active and vigorous during the night than during the day.

So there is a chance that your hamster is usually sleeping. It’s only that you don’t see them playing at night hours. Thus, if you need to see if your hamster is doing good, check their activities after dusk.

Why Does My Hamster Sleep So Much?

If you are anxious about why my baby hamster sleeps so much, here is why they do so!

● Hibernate

One reason hamsters sleep even at night is that they are hibernating. For those who don’t know, hibernation is a phase where hamster minimizes their metabolic activity to better cope with decreased temperatures. While it is common for some rodents and other species to hibernate in native stings, it is not good if they do so in captivity.

Moreover, note that the hamsters hibernate only in low temperatures to fight the winter, so if you increase the temperature of their surroundings, they will likely wake up.

● Stress

As you might know, hamsters are prey creatures in the wild that tend to stress out more frequently. Whenever they sense something dangerous in the surrounding, they hide. For instance, if you have a new pet in the house, or they feel other dangers like loud noise, they will hide and show no activity.

So, it would be best to be mindful of what makes your hamster stressed.

● Old Age

Hamsters have a short life span of two to three years. Since hamsters mature in a short time, their native abilities to dig, burrow and run decline as they get old. Hamsters are less capable than larger mammals in maintaining their essential functions with growing age.

So if your hamster is getting old, it will usually spend more time resting than staying active as it did at an early age. But still, you should seek a vet’s advice on how to keep your hamster’s health good.

● Adjustment Of Routine

Hamsters are sensitive creatures, so they will likely get worried if you disturb them in the daytime. For instance, keeping your hamster beside yourself when working during the day will disrupt their sleep cycle for the day. Therefore, they might sleep more at night and stay awake during the day.

● Personality

Like humans, every hamster has different sleeping habits because they are unique. Some hamsters might love to sleep until it’s quiet and dark and come out only when everyone else is asleep. On the other hand, some hamsters become active right after dusk.

Your hamster’s sleeping time can depend more or less on how long you see them active. It is best to install an infrared camera to monitor their sleeping pattern better.

What To Do If A Hamster Is Sleeping Too Much?

If your hamster sleeps more than 14 hours a  day, you need to do the following to wake them up. Moreover, also ensure their health is fine by seeking a vet’s help.

● Dоn’t Wake Yоur Hаmѕtеr

Whenever your hamster sleeps, ensure you do not wake them or disturb them. Although hamsters usually nap for 2 to 3 hours, you need to be patient with them and wait for them to wake up naturally. Otherwise, you will make your hamster averted from yourself.

Lеt Yоur Hаmѕtеr Settle Fоr 1-2 Wееkѕ

Hamsters take a little time to settle in new environments. So let them settle for the first few weeks. After getting the hang of his dwelling, he can be better. Moreover, as in any new environment, the hamsters also become stressed. So leaving them to tuck in is the best approach.

● Provide Them Trеаtѕ

You can use your hamster’s favorite treats, such as dried mealworms, to bribe them out if you are concerned that they may not feel well. However, you can’t do this while they are sleeping. Instead, look for them when they wake up but hide from you.

● Seek The Vet’s Advice

If you think your hamster might not feel well due to growing age or some health condition, it is best to check with the vet. An expert can better guide you in taking care of your hamster.

● Моvе The Cаgе

As mentioned earlier, hamsters are prey animals. They tend to stay awake when they sense loud noises or danger. So if you place your hamster cage in a room with more visitors or loud noises, it will disturb the hamster’s sleep.

In this case, consider relocating your hamster cage to a less sound and dark place where they feel safe. Doing so will make your hamster stick to its natural sleeping habits.

Related Questions

Below are some of the most typical questions hamsters’ parents ask about their sleeping patterns.

Is It Okay To Wake My Hamster Up?

If your hamster is sleeping excessively, it is better to seek medical attention. But if you want to wake them up, you can do that too. Nevertheless, whenever you reach out to your hamster, wake them nicely and gently. Otherwise, you can scare them up, and they will stay inside.

Can A Hamster Sleep For 24 Hours?

No, hamsters do not sleep 24 hours or all day and night. They sleep for 2 to 3 hours at different times of the day. Moreover, nocturnal mammals sleep in the daytime and stay active at night.

So if you ask why my hamster is sleeping all day and night? It’s because you might only see them sleeping; however, if they are in the hibernation phase, they might seem to be in deep sleep for extended periods.

Should You Be Worried If Your Hamster Sleeps For 12 Hours?

A hamster does not often sleep for 12 hours or longer but tends to sleep for as much as 14 hours. Usually, a hamster sleeps for 6 to 8 hours. So if you see a hamster sleeping for 12 hours or more during the day, leave him for a week or two and observe if he is improving. If not, seek a vet’s assistance to check if everything is okay.

Parting Wisdom

Since hamsters are nocturnal, they sleep at different times throughout the day. Thus, if you think your hamster is sleeping too much, you might see them only during their sleeping hours. Please do not assume that they’re always dozing off.

In addition, the hamster can stay up for 10-16 hours during each 24-hour cycle. So it is better to install infrared cameras to observe their sleeping routine.

If you see something suspicious about their sleeping, they might be hibernating or having health problems. Therefore, it is better to seek a vet’s assistance to ensure that your hamster is in good health. Moreover, also make hamsters’ cages warm so they do not hibernate!