Suppose you got a hamster and realized they constantly sleep, especially in the daytime. In that case, it might lead you to wonder how long they sleep and what you can expect. After all, more often than not, people buy hamsters to enjoy their company, so what is the answer to this question? Let’s find out.
Hamster sleep anywhere between 12 to 14 hours a day. However, the intricacies of how much a hamster sleeps and how these hours are divided can confuse some people because they assume hamsters are innately nocturnal.
While it might appear this way from the untrained eye, hamsters are crepuscular, which is a fancy way of saying they are in their most active timings during dawn and dusk. Hamsters also sleep at random parts during the day, so a hamster’s sleep schedule breaks up into multiple parts.
This article discusses why hamsters sleep so much, their regular schedule, and other subjects, such as whether you should wake them up from slumber. Knowing the answer to these questions is essential for new hamster owners to ensure they have the healthiest and happiest life possible. Given that information, we highly encourage you to continue reading.
Why Does Your Hamster Sleep All Day?
A common misconception among newer hamster owners is that they literally sleep all day. This may lead some people to believe hamsters are dull or lazy pets, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Hamsters don’t sleep in large chunks like most mammals do. They are more keen on taking “tactical naps” throughout the day to get the needed sleep. While they may be catching a few Z’s when you check on them or have free time, they most certainly have not been sleeping the entire time.
What Is a Hamster’s Normal Sleep Schedule?
A hamster’s sleep schedule does make it more active at night, lending a certain amount of credibility to the nocturnal viewpoint some people have, but they are truthfully conserving their energy for “nightly” forage runs, when most predators would have the hardest time seeing them scurry around hunting for food.
Obviously, the nap cycle turns on fully when the sun is out, with only quick interruptions for things like snacking or getting a quick drink of water to stay hydrated. Afterward, they get back to their “extremely hard life of napping.”
What to Do if Your Hamster Sleeps More Than Normal?
As noted above, hamsters typically only need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep a day to remain healthy. If you notice your hamster sleeping considerably more than that, it could be a sign that it has some underlying health issues or is entering torpor, a pseudo-hibernation state.
Sleep is absolutely vital to hamsters, and a lack of it can be just as harmful as too much. A hamster is much more likely to remain immobile if the temperature of its cage isn’t at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, so keep that temperature stabilized and observe.
If you notice that temperatures aren’t affecting your hamster’s sleep schedule in a meaningful way, then it may be time to go to the vet to make sure everything is okay with your fluffy little friend.
Should I Wake My Hamster up if He Is Sleeping?
The short answer is no; you should not wake your hamster up while they are asleep. Even if you want to play with your hamster a bit, it’s better to let it get the sleep it needs to remain healthy and happy. It won’t hurt to do it once every so often, but making it a regular habit to interrupt your hamster’s sleep schedule can lead to some bad results.
If you decide to regularly wake the hamster outside of its normalized sleeping schedule, it can become moody and agitated or plummet in health. Be patient; there will always be time to play with it later.
Are Hamster Sleep Schedules Similar to Mice, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs & Ferrets?
No, a hamster’s sleep schedule is not entirely the same as that of other small animals. However, hamsters and gerbils are more active from dusk to dawn, while guinea pigs sleep mainly during the night and are more active in the daytime. On the other hand, mice are more nocturnal creatures, and ferrets like sleeping for longer periods.
While a hamster’s sleep schedule can have specific overlapping periods, it’s doubtful that your hamster’s napping needs will be ultimately the same. One of the biggest reasons they won’t find a more common time would be that different breeds of hamsters have different sleeping schedules.
Not all hamsters stay awake at the same periods. For instance, Dwarf and Chinese hamsters have been noted for being awake a few times throughout the day, while it is rare to find a Syrian hamster awake during the day.
What Are the Signs That Your Hamster Is Too Tired to Play?
It is rather unfortunate, but the most significant call sign that your little friend is too tired to play is when it decides to behave rather aggressively and bites you when you attempt to interact with it. This means it is cranky and doesn’t want to be disturbed.
What Are the Signs to Show Your Hamster Is Not Getting Enough Sleep?
In general, you want to look for signs of uncharacteristic aggression being displayed on a semi-regular basis, as this will tell you that your hamster is irritable and not getting enough sleep to be happy or comfortable with fundamental interactions.
It’s important to note that even things like cleaning your hamster cage and replacing food can be enough to pry it out of deep sleep and begin the slippery slope toward a bad sleep schedule.
Can I Clean the Cage if My Hamster Is Asleep?
Technically speaking, you can indeed clean your hamster’s cage if it is asleep. However, with full disclosure, it’s being rather rude and impeding its sleep schedule in one way or another.
Imagine for instance, you are in the middle of your sleep routine, and your loved one decides to come in, and begin picking things off the floor, shuffling around, maybe turning on the smallest lamp they have to see, and maybe even vacuum (with a quiet one, of course.) The simple understanding is that you would be annoyed, no matter how nice the deed is, and would look forward to them being done and gone, right? Well, hamsters are the same, but they lack the understanding we have and would see the whole endeavor as you purposely wake them up.
As such, it’s better to find out your hamster’s specific sleep schedule and get the job done, then throw in some playtime to make up for having them wait.
Tips & Tricks to Know about a Sleeping Hamster
We have found some excellent tips and trips for you to follow for further information on better understanding your hamster while sleeping. This helps them to sleep better as well.
1. Strategically Place the Light Somewhere That Will Not Bother Your Hamster
Hamsters most definitely need some lightning within their vicinity. Still, you must keep it out of direct eye level or place it somewhere your hamster can escape it entirely if they desire to.
Doing so will allow your hamster to feel as if it has some agency over its light exposure and make it easier for it to find places to sleep comfortably.
2. Provide Your Hamster With Some Exercise
Hamsters are known for having a rather large abundance of energy when they want to waddle and scurry around. In these moods, it is important for them to have some kind of outlet for this excessive energy, not only to keep them healthy but also to tire them out so they can get that much-needed rest.
Small balls, a running wheel, and other toys can allow your hamster to get the exercise it needs, and most of these aren’t even that expensive. But as they say, you can’t put a price on happiness!
3. Create a Safe Haven for Your Hamster
Despite hamsters being capable of sleeping almost anywhere, they would prefer to feel safe and secure and not out in the open, as they are used to being preyed upon. A quick fix for this is to create small pockets for your little friend to snuggle into.
Anything from a pot turned sideways to pre-built tunnels that lead into an enclosed box for a sleeping area or anything that follows those guidelines will make a great safety net for your hamster to feel secure. Best of all, pre-built tunnels and bedding locations can be cleaned easily, making the entire process that much more enjoyable for both you and your hamster.
4. Make Sure Your Hamster Bed Is a Happy One
It might sound like common sense, but it’s definitely worth stating: No one wants to sleep in a dirty bed or in a messy house. Take some time to clean your hamster’s bedding and give it ample room to nest and burrow. Doing so will make your hamster happier and give it some flexibility in how it goes about its daily routine.
The closer you can get to replicating what a hamster does naturally in the wild, the happier it will be overall, allowing you to foster a closer connection to it.
Conclusion
Sleep is just as crucial for hamsters as it is for humans, but they require sleep in small bursts instead of becoming almost unconscious for a long time. Be vigilant of your hamster’s sleeping needs, and keep their cage clean, and you’ll never have to deal with a cranky hamster!
