Do We Have Any Small Pet Experts Here?

[va32h]

We have two small pets in our house - a gerbil and a dwarf hamster. Lately they both have been behaving oddly. They are just holing up in their nests, and only coming out to eat or drink. The gerbil doesn't even run on his wheel anymore.

Are they depressed? Bored? Dying? Hibernating? I've searched the web, it ust seems odd that they are both behaving this way at the same time.

 

[ilovejack02]

We have two small pets in our house - a gerbil and a dwarf hamster. Lately they both have been behaving oddly. They are just holing up in their nests, and only coming out to eat or drink. The gerbil doesn't even run on his wheel anymore.

Are they depressed? Bored? Dying? Hibernating? I've searched the web, it ust seems odd that they are both behaving this way at the same time.

How long have you had them? Are they in the same cage?
Is it chilly in the area where they are kept?
I have heard that they can hibernate.

 

[va32h]

How long have you had them? Are they in the same cage?
Is it chilly in the area where they are kept?
I have heard that they can hibernate.

They are not in the same cage. We've had the gerbil for about 6 months and the dwarf hamster for about a month.

It has been chilly this past week, with lows in the 20's. It's usually around 65 inside the house, but I am sure it feels colder on the ground where their habitats are. I wondered if they might be hibernating.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think they are hibernating. My Syrian hammie is doing the same thing.

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

I'd definitly say they are hibernating! We've had multitudes of guinea pigs and hamsters. If they are kept on the floor, it can get MUCH colder for them!! It is always recommended to keep them up, off the ground.
They should be fine, just trying to cozy themselves up!

 

[va32h]

I'd definitly say they are hibernating! We've had multitudes of guinea pigs and hamsters. If they are kept on the floor, it can get MUCH colder for them!! It is always recommended to keep them up, off the ground.
They should be fine, just trying to cozy themselves up!

Thanks everyone - I feel reassured. The dwarf hamster lives in a terrarium, and I know I can move that on top of a dresser or something. The gerbil (which my son named Hammie just to be confusing) has a pretty big habitat, but I will see what I can do.

 

[minkydog]

Our gerbils definitely hunker down during cold weather. Of course,they have from 2-5 of their best buddies to snuggle with Be sure you put extra bedding in there so they can make a warm nest--a few sheets of white toilet paper will keep the gerbil interested for hours. In the morning, you'll find him buried under a mountain of white fluff!