Ageing Hamster

[annie0000]

Our family hamster is now 2 and a half which I think is a good age for a hamster - he has always been very active and is a large. He has stopped going up his tube to bed - I think that he can't fit through it anymore (it was always a bit of a squeeze) and mainly just sleeps - he has made himself a bed in the corner of his cage- he doesn't go in his wheel anymore and doesn't seem interested in coming out to go in his ball. We were never able to handle him when he was small as he was really quick on his feet and he would always just jump into his ball for exercise. It is also getting quite difficult to get him cleaned out as I feel that I am disturbing his peace. He has just been up for a mosey about and he is really fat and a bit wobbly on his pins although he looks otherwise healthy- at his age, I don't want to restrict his diet or enforce any exercise on him - is he just on his last legs and should be left in peace, or is there something else we should be doing for him?

[yogasun]

Hello Annie

We used to keep hamsters. Frankly I think like a number of old people he now just wants 'the quiet life' and you're obviously very caring but I don't think you need do any more than you are doing.

[annie0000]

Thanks yogasun - I guess I just feel that he doesn't have much of a life - I did wonder if he was hibernating, but he is still doing all the normal eating drinking and pooing. I just keep checking that he is still breathing and he will still get up for a tasty treat. I think I will jsut leave him in peace and try to clean round him.