Jas, the hamster formally known as Jasper

[Maz]

I have heard of it before but not very often. Hopefully it'll just pass but keep an eye on it. Has she got excited about something?

 

[ilguy]

Hey all, random question time
Can hamsters get hiccups?

They do, and it's one of the saddest sounds you can hear. Henry had them once

 

[Socks Mum]

Hoping Jas is free of hiccups soon, sweet little hammy!

 

[Lovelyness]

Good question?? My dog used to get hiccups sometimes, so I suppose so...

 

[Hank]

Thanks for the responses. She seems okay now. She got up yesterday for a drink, and it looked like she had hiccups, I couldn't hear anything on the video. I must confess, I did wake her, to make sure she was okay. She came out yesterday for a play and they were gone and she seemed fine. I just wasn't sure, I think she might have drunk too quickly

 

[Maz]

That is one reason they can get them - if they drink too fast A bit like humans really! I am guaranteed to get hiccups if I drink something very cold or very hot. It’s strange. Hence I don’t like ice cubes in drinks. And drink my tea at just the right temperature.

 

[Hank]

Jas isn't coming out as much as she used to, not sure if it's the season change. She doesn't seem to be getting up until late, she might pop out for a drink around 9:30, and then she's not sure if she wants to come out. She was out in her playpen last week for over an hour, but that was mostly sleeping.
However today, she's been up for about an hour already, very busy, I can't say I've actually seen her though

 

[Maz]

Yes it's maybe the cooler evenings. Is she under that pile of bedding?

 

[Hank]

I'm not sure what the pile of bedding is for, but apparently that's where it needs to be

 

[Hank]

Behind the pile of bedding half under the green shelf, there is actually a Sandbath, believe it or not

 

[Socks Mum]

Behind the pile of bedding half under the green shelf, there is actually a Sandbath, believe it or not

Yes, now that you mention it, I can see a bit of it . Socks' hours have changed and he's out at about 4am on his wheel most days.

 

[Lovelyness]

Blossom has been appearing an hour earlier for her tea over the last few days

 

[Maz]

Aw maybe she's checking you're still there Or maybe the petsitter was feeding her earlier?

 

[Lovelyness]

Aw maybe she's checking you're still there Or maybe the petsitter was feeding her earlier?

The pet sitter was definitely feeding her at the same time as she popped in when she got home from work. Maybe she just missed me

 

[Maz]

I am sure she did

 

[Hank]

I'm looking for a bit of advice please. Jas has turned into a bit of a ghost hamster. She will pop out for a drink and then run away back to her burrows. She then waits until we leave to come out.
I can only clean her cage, if I take the top off. I can clean in the middle, which I did tonight, but I was messing about in her cage for a long time, I know she was awake I could see the bedding moving. I even offered her carrot and she didn't come out.
Any ideas, I don't really want to dig her out and I'm worried about stressing her out.

 

[ilguy]

How long has she been doing it? It sounds like she's still active. Your last thought is the way to go, just leave her be and avoid stressing her. Jas will come around, give her time. When she's ready to interact again it's going to be great.

This just happened to me, my little ham was keeping to himself for a bit over a week, just decided to come out the past two nights. In his case there were home repairs and new smells from people coming & going. Hard to say what could be causing Jas to take shelter, could be a noise outside, a smell from somewhere, or winter approaching. I wouldn't take it personally, I know when she comes back out she is going to show her love!

 

[Maz]

Aw that's a shame - and she used to be so maverick! It is getting darker and colder at night and they do tend to start getting ready for winter and maybe sleeping later. How old is she now? I know what you mean about not wanting to dig her out - but maybe you could tempt her out with a smelly treat at the far end of a tube with the other end near where she's nesting. That's tended to work for me with some hamsters. Then you just lift them out in the tube into the playpen. Then see how she is - whether she perks up and enjoys it or just goes into a hide and doesn't do much.

 

[Hank]

It's not been happening for long. She will be 2 next month. I will try to tempt her, the challenge is, she nests right at the bottom, under all the bedding.

 

[Maz]

Is she really nearly two? Time flies! It may be just her slowing down as they do when they get older often - sleeping longer. I’m sure she’d enjoy being out even if it wasn’t being quite so active. This can be when they enjoy cuddles a bit sometimes