You adore your tiny hamster. So when you notice them trembling with eyes squeezed shut, it’s distressing. Are they cold? Stressed? Sick? Or is harmless dreaming the cause? Know why is my hamster shaking with eyes closed.
As a caring hamster parent, getting to the root of this behavior is important. In this extensively researched guide, we’ll dive into all potential reasons for shaking, actionable tips to make them comfortable, symptoms that warrant the vet’s urgent care, and some common myths.
Rest assured, this article avoids complex jargon so every compassionate hamster owner can understand it.
Let’s begin easing your worries!
Reason 1: Perfectly Normal Dreaming
Did you know hamsters experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep like humans? During this stage, their brains are highly active. What we perceive as ‘shaking’ is the physical manifestation of vivid dreams.
Like people toss, turn, sometimes speak, and move their limbs when asleep, your pet may quiver and twitch as they process thoughts. It’s utterly normal mammal behavior!
Shaking from dreaming indicates healthy brain functioning. There’s no reason for panic if they seem energetic and comfortable upon waking up.
Tips to Test If It’s Just Harmless Dreaming
Gently stroke their fur and watch their reaction. If they calmly wake up, it confirms relaxing sleep.
Conversely, persistent shaking despite external stimuli implies an entirely different cause like illness. We’ll cover this later.
Reason 2: Shivering from the Chills
Unlike cats and dogs, hamsters have very little natural insulation against cold. Fur alone doesn’t protect them well against drops in room temperature.
Especially the Syrian species with short coats are inclined to getting chilly faster. They start shivering instinctively to generate warmth via muscle movements. It happens subconsciously, even when asleep.
Signs of Environment Being Too Cold
- attempting to burrow under lots of nesting material
- huddling in corner spots
- reduced activity levels
Take note of these, too, besides shaking while sleeping.
Thankfully, adjusting ambient temperatures solves this easily! Just ensure their habitat ranges between 65-75°F based on the hamster breed.
Place cages/tanks away from cooling vents, uncovered windows, tile flooring, or exterior walls where they retain more warmth.
Reason 3: Stress Triggering Tremors
Hamsters are, unfortunately very prone to stress, being small solitary animals. Even subtle environmental changes make them anxious. Excess stress can manifest in visible shaking and unusual behaviors.
Common stressors include:
Disruptive Habitat
Is their living space uncomfortably crammed with hazards? Too scarce or excess nesting material? Wheels that squeak loudly? Foreign smells from strong cleaners?
As prey animals, an unsettling habitat easily stresses them out.
Insufficient Handling
Most hamsters aren’t instantly friendly with humans. They require regular positive interaction to build trust over time. Insufficient handling makes them very nervous creatures indeed.
Excess Stimuli
Loud televisions, rowdy children, pets battering their enclosure – no wonder these intense stimuli compel them to shake fearfully!
Hamsters have very sensitive hearing too. Even music playing briefly can constitute a stress factor.
Urgent Reason: Underlying Health Condition
Generally, shaking accompanied by unusual symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, breathing issues, eye/nose discharge, or diarrhea warrant immediate emergency vet care.
While plain signs of old age, like greying fur, don’t automatically imply illness, these, coupled with persistent shaking, imply something more sinister.
Especially keep an eye out for symptoms of wet tail disease. It has severe diarrhea as the main symptom, while dehydration and nutrient deficiency cause tremors soon after.
Respiratory conditions like pneumonia also make hamsters shake severely, along with audible breathing sounds.
Don’t waste precious time attempting home treatment if such concurrent symptoms arise! Call the exotics vet promptly for diagnosis and rapid care.
Creating a Stress-Free Habitat
Prevention is better than cure! You can prevent much anxiety through simple habitat design tweaks:
Spacious, Stimuli-Free Enclosure
Get the biggest possible enclosure size for optimal living space. Avoid overcrowding with toys and accessories too. Position the habitat away from other pets, loud children, television noise, and music.
Hideouts for Privacy
Include 1-2 opaque shelters and tunnels. These provide much-needed solitude when stressed.
Cozy Nesting Areas
Use shredded paper or 2-3 inches thick of aspen wood shavings to create burrowing/nesting spots. Avoid harmful fabrics like strings that can twist around limbs.
Keep It Clean!
Spot clean daily and deep clean once weekly. Dirty habitats cause lethal ammonia buildup triggering respiratory issues. Disinfect cautiously with non-toxic cleaners.
Appropriate Lighting
Hamsters are nocturnal! Keep their sleeping quarters appropriately dark during daylight for natural rhythms. Equally important is ensuring total darkness at night with no disturbing light pollution.
Vet Checkups for Prevention
Get complete wellness checkups done twice a year – even more frequently for elderly hamsters.
Ask about:
- Regular health tests to catch issues early
- Vaccination boosters as required
- Dental and nail care for better quality of life
Routine vet trips establish a thorough medical history too. You can then better explain any observed shaking incidents for helpful guidance!
FAQs on Why is My Hamster Shaking with Eyes Closed Answered
Here we explore and bust some common myths worried owners have about shaking hamsters:
1: Can wet tail disease cause shaking?
A: Yes. Wet tail has severe diarrhea as the primary symptom. Dehydration and dangerous loss of nutrients cause tremors soon after. Immediate treatment is vital.
2: Do hamsters shake when trying to hibernate?
A: No – unless ambient temperatures drastically dip without their notice. Ensure your hamster isn’t exposed to cooling vents/drafts that drop temps excessively in their attempt to hibernate during winter. Keep the habitat nice and cozy year-round.
3: Is occasional shaking ordinary?
A: Generally, yes. Slight shaking every few days is no cause for alarm as long as your hamster seems energetic, sleeps well, and has a strong appetite. But do point it out during your next wellness exam for the vet’s insight.
4: Can nutritional deficiency cause tremors too?
A: Lack of proper nutrients can cause muscle weakness and shivering. Ensure you feed a balanced commercial hamster mix. Supplement with proteins like boiled egg white, veggies and seed mix for variety. The vet can provide tailored diet advice too.
When to Worry About Shaking
To conclude, quivering hamsters may look worrisome but aren’t always problematic. Consider harmless reasons first before assuming the worst.
Look for concurrent symptoms, take mitigating steps to remove stressors and stick to routine vet checkups. This way you can minimize shaking incidents and support your fur baby’s health in the long run!
Let us know down below if you found this article helpful. Are there any other questions you would like us to answer?
If you are a hamster or pet lover in general here are a few more articles you may find interesting:
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