19 day ago

The hamster keeps its eyes closed and stays motionless. It is most likely in torpor caused by low temperatures and cold exposure, or it is sending out a distress warning due to illness.

✅ Normal deep sleep (no cause for concern)
The body is relaxed naturally, wit...

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Ava L.

@mochi_moments

29 day ago

Signs your wheel is too small, and what I wish I had known. I watched mine for a week and noted three things: his back curving while running, him stopping every few seconds, and the wheel squeaking on every rotation because of the uneven load. Replaced it with a bigger one and al...

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Comment 4 New

Liam P. 28 day ago

The back curving is the one everybody shows in photos without realising.

+1

Marcus T. 28 day ago

What size did you go to? I am second guessing mine now.

Sofia M. 29 day ago

The squeaking on every rotation is such a good tell. Mine stopped the moment I changed wheels.

Total 4 comments

Chloe B.

@peanut_butler

29 day ago

How often do you actually trim nails? Everything online says every few weeks, but mine wears his down on the wheel and I have not needed to cut anything in four months. Is that normal or am I missing something?

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Comment 5 New

Marcus T. 27 day ago

I stopped worrying about the schedule and just check for curling instead.

+1

zhainan 28 day ago

Four months and nothing to cut sounds perfectly normal for a wheel user.

+1

Ava L. 28 day ago

Same here. As long as they are not curling or catching on fabric he is fine.

+1

Total 5 comments

Marcus T.

@syrian_dad

1 month ago

Cheek pouch problem, and this is what it looked like day one versus day three. Day one was just a slightly lopsided face. By day three he was drooling and the pouch looked swollen. The vet removed a piece of bedding from inside. Posting the timeline because I almost waited anothe...

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Comment 3 New

Sofia M. 27 day ago

The side by side timeline is what makes this land. Glad he is alright.

+1

Chloe B. 27 day ago

The drooling is the tell. Good that you went when you did rather than waiting another day.

Noah K. 1 month ago

Thank you for posting the day one photo. I would have dismissed that as nothing. Saving this.

Daniel R.

@paws_and_seeds

1 month ago

Switched bedding brand two days ago and his droppings went soft. Not watery, just softer than usual and a bit lighter in colour. He is still eating, drinking and running. Everything I read says see a vet immediately, but he genuinely seems fine otherwise. How long would you wait...

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Comment 5 New

Noah K. 28 day ago

Mine did this after switching to a scented brand. Back to unscented and it cleared in two days.

Liam P. 28 day ago

Lighter colour worries me more than the softness, honestly. I would call.

+1

Ava L. 1 month ago

The bedding change is the likely cause. If it is only softer and he is eating, I would give it 48 hours back on the old bedding.

Total 5 comments

Marcus T.

@syrian_dad

1 month ago

Cheek pouch got scratched — what to watch for

He got a small scratch inside one cheek pouch from a sharp piece of bedding I missed.

I removed the sharp bits and cleaned the cage. What signs mean I need a vet rather than just monitoring?

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Comment 5 New

zhainan 1 month ago

The fact that he is still eating is a good sign. It is when they stop that it gets serious.

+1

Sofia M. 1 month ago

Worth going through the rest of the bag for anything else sharp. I found a piece of wire in mine once.

Daniel R. 1 month ago

Check it twice a day for three days. If he starts pawing at the cheek or refuses food, that is a vet visit.

Total 5 comments

Sofia M.

@luna_the_hammy

1 month ago

Wet tail or just stress? Worried.

Picked up my new hamster three days ago and today the droppings are soft and he is a bit hunched.

No tail wetness that I can see, and he is still eating. Is this normal settling-in or should I call the vet tomorrow morning?

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Comment 5 New

Ava L. 1 month ago

Is there any wetness around the tail at all? That is the one thing that turns it into an emergency for me.