Last updated on January 29th, 2023 at 08:07 pm
Hamsters sleep in different places in their cage, such as the exercise wheel, the tubes, and in the bedding, but why sometimes do they sleep in the corner of their cage?
Why do hamsters sleep in the corner of their cage?
Hamsters sleep in the corner of their cage because it is comfortable and pleasant for them, although it can also be due to other reasons such as illness, fear, and the environment that surrounds them.
In today’s article, you will find out why hamsters sleep in the corner of their cage, what are the most common reasons, and whether you should do anything in such situations.
Why do hamsters sleep in the corner of their cage?
Hamsters usually sleep in the corner of their cage because it makes them feel comfortable and relaxed.
Sometimes, regardless of whether their cage is large and has the best conditions, the hamster may still choose to sleep in the corner of its cage.
The corner of the cage offers coziness, comfort, and security for the hamsters and therefore they can sleep there, and this is completely normal and you don’t need to worry.
Besides being a normal behavior, sleeping in the corner of their cage can also mean something else, such as an illness in your pet.
When hamsters are frightened they may again choose the corner of the cage as the safest place to sleep.
The environment in which a hamster’s cage is placed can affect its sleeping habits and it may choose the corner of the cage because of something they consider in its environment.
What are the reasons why my hamster sleeps in the corner of the cage?
As we said, apart from the normal behavior of hamsters, sometimes illness, fear, and a bad environment affect his choice of the corner of the cage to be the place where they want to sleep.
So let’s see in detail about each of these reasons how and why they influence hamsters to want to sleep in the corner of the cage.
Illness can be a reason for hamsters to sleep in the corner
When hamsters are sick it can be a reason for them to sleep in the corner of the cage.
If you notice them sleeping more than normal time, then it is most likely a disease.
Hamsters use the corner of the cage when they are sick because they feel safer from predators that are not in the cage, but mother nature has taught them to do so.
They know that when they are sick they are easier prey for predators, so they choose the corner of the cage as protection.
When hamsters are sick they can be noticed several signs and symptoms:
- diarrhea
- weight loss
- lethargy
- hair loss
- sneezing
- breathing problems
- swollen eyes
- aggressiveness
If you notice any of these signs along with too much sleeping in the corner of the cage then you should take your pet to the vet for an examination.
Fear causes the hamster to sleep in the corner of the cage
Hamsters out of fear sleep in the corner of the cage as a safer place for them. They are very sensitive and timid animals that need little to be frightened.
When you buy a hamster and bring it into your home it will be something new for him and he may be afraid at first.
It is necessary to leave him a little, i.e. a few days so that he gets used to it and stops being afraid.
When you see that he first slept in the corner, and then sleeps in another place in the cage, it means that the hamster is no longer afraid.
Apart from a new home, hamsters can suddenly get scared if they live in your home for a long time and start sleeping in the corner of the cage.
This can happen if they are frightened by the noise, other pets such as cats and dogs, or other people.
When you notice that the hamster sleeps in the corner of the cage, but most of the time he is awake even during the day when he should be sleeping, then he is afraid of something.
Read more: Why Does My Hamster No Longer Want To Sleep In Its Bed?
Temperature regulation in the summer period
When hamsters want to use the corner as a place to sleep in the summer, they do it to cool off.
The corner of the cage is usually the cooler part of the cage, and hamsters can use it in the summer.
However, this can be a reason for sleeping in the corner in the summer, while this is not the case in the winter when it is cooler.
Read more: Why Hamsters Love to Sleep in Tubes? Let’s Discover
Cleaning the cage affects whether the hamster will sleep in the corner
Hamsters do not like you to clean their cage very much even though it is for their own good and protection from infections and diseases.
If you clean their cage too often, the hamsters will not like it and they may run off to sleep in the corner of the cage.
Hamsters love the smell of everything around them and it doesn’t bother them at all.
That’s why you shouldn’t overdo it with cleaning the cage, do it twice a week and thoroughly clean it once a month.
Read more: Why Your Hamster Is Sleeping On Their Wheel? Let’s Discover
Hamsters like to make nests in the corner of the cage
If the hamster likes to sleep in the corner of the cage it may mean that it wants to make its own nest in that part of its home.
The corner of the cage is a great nesting and sleeping place for hamsters as it offers them more security and privacy.
A corner of the cage may be a favorite place for the hamster to sleep
As opposed to hamsters sleeping in the corner of the cage due to fear, illness, and similar reasons, they may use the corner to sleep because they like it.
If the hamster feels warm, cozy, and safe, it will use the corner of the cage to sleep for no other reason.
When hamsters like the corner as a place to sleep, they then start to store food in the corner, it is a sign that they will sleep there for a longer time.
Read more: What Does Your Hamsters Sleeping Position Mean?
What to do if the hamster uses the corner of the cage to sleep?
If the hamster sleeps in the corner of the cage, you first need to see how it spends its day in the cage.
If the hamster normally eats and drinks water, and plays as usual then there is no need to worry and let him use the corner as a place to sleep.
If the hamster sleeps in the corner of the cage and shows signs of lethargy, refuses to eat, does not get enough sleep, and other similar signs, then you should take the hamster to a veterinarian to examine it and see if it has any diseases.
If he does not have any illness, then he may be scared of the environment, and you will have to check if something near him scares your pet, it could be noise, other animals, etc.
In any case, when the hamster sleeps in the corner of the cage, the most important thing is to observe your pet to see if it is sleeping in the corner because it is comfortable or if it is a problem.
Read more: Why Is My Hamster Sleep More Then Usual? (Find Out Now)
