Hamsters like to sleep in various places in their cage, for example in bedding, in tunnels, in the exercise wheel, and wherever they are comfortable.
I noticed that my hamster sometimes likes to sleep under the exercise wheel, and I immediately wondered why he does that.
So I did a little more research on the subject and here’s what I found in response to this interesting sleeping habit of my hamster.
Why is my hamster sleeping under his wheel?
Hamsters sleep under the wheel because that way they feel safer, they have protection from the light because they are comfortable and sometimes they sleep for no particular reason.
In today’s article you will learn why hamsters sleep under the wheel, as well as similar questions about their sleeping habits, so let’s get started right away.
Why is my hamster sleeping under his wheel?
Hamsters sometimes like to sleep under their exercise wheel because it makes them feel safer from potential predators, even though they are not really in danger in a cage.
They sleep under the wheel for the following reasons:
- protection from light
- natural instinct
- comfort
- they just like it that way
Let’s look at all possible reasons to know why the hamster sleeps under his wheel.
Hamsters sleep under the wheel because they feel safer
Hamsters in nature are usually prey, and they run away and hide from predators all the time to save their lives. Hamsters sleep under the wheel because it makes them feel safer.
In a cage, they don’t really have any special threat to their life, but the natural instinct does its thing.
In life, hamsters care the most about food and safety, those two things are most important to them in order to survive.
When the hamster sleeps under the wheel it feels safer because the wheel allows them to be covered and more secure.
Hamsters like to sleep under the wheel to protect themselves from light
Hamsters do not want a lot of light, they feel best when the room where they are in has less light. After all, they are most active at dawn and dusk, when the light is weaker.
Hamsters like to sleep under the wheel because that way they will have less light and feel more secure and comfortable.
However, this can be individual for each hamster, it all depends on the light in your room where you keep the hamster with its cage.
If you do not want the hamster to sleep under the wheel, reduce the room’s light.
Natural instinct makes hamsters sleep under the wheel
Hamsters sleep under the wheel because of the natural instinct that they have retained from nature.
Hamsters use the space under the wheel to store food and nest and then sleep there.
Your pet is constantly thinking about how to be more sure of not running out of food and how to survive more easily.
They do this as their way of storing food supplies and protection from predators.
Hamsters sleep under the wheel because it is comfortable for them
Hamsters know how to change their sleeping place very often because they always want to feel cozy and comfortable.
They can choose the place under the wheel to sleep if they feel comfortable and there is nothing wrong with that.
Sleeping under the wheel gives them space to burrow into the bedding and have a warm place to rest.
Hamsters sleep under the wheel for no particular reason
Hamsters can sleep under the wheel for no particular reason. Simply if they like the place then they will start using it for sleeping.
However, each hamster is special, some will like it and others may never try to use the space under the sleeping wheel.
If your hamster is healthy and happy sleeping under the wheel, then there is no reason to worry and you can safely let them continue to do so.
When the hamster gets bored, he may change his place and start sleeping somewhere else in the cage.
Hamsters sleep under the wheel if they are sick or injured
When hamsters are sick or injured they may choose to sleep under the wheel. When hamsters have a problem with injuries or illness they try to hide somewhere when they sleep.
Hamsters think that predators will come and take advantage of their current weaknesses. In reality, there is no such danger in a cage.
When the hamster heals or recovers from the injury, it may go back to sleeping somewhere else in the cage.
Should we let hamsters sleep under the wheel?
Yes, of course, you can let the hamsters sleep under the wheel.
When hamsters make up their minds about something very difficult you will succeed in making them change their mind.
It is best to let the hamsters sleep under the wheel as long as it doesn’t matter to them because as soon as the hamsters chose that place to sleep, it must be for a reason.
Will my hamster always sleep under his wheel?
No, hamsters will not always sleep under the wheel.
Hamsters often know how to change their sleeping place, so there is no need to worry if your hamster will always sleep under the wheel.
Hamsters like to change places to sleep, where they are comfortable, they sleep there, sometimes they sleep on the wheel itself, in the bedding, through the tunnels, in the corner of the cage, and similar places.
Why do hamsters like to sleep on the exercise wheel?
Hamsters love to sleep on the exercise mat because it makes them feel comfortable and it’s completely normal behavior for your pet.
If the hamster is not showing any signs of illness then you are free to let it sleep on the exercise wheel.
The hamster will probably sleep for a while on the wheel, but then it will go back to sleep in its bed or rather in the bedding where it has made its nest.
Read more: Why Your Hamster Is Sleeping On Their Wheel? Let’s Discover
Why Is My Hamster Sleeping In The Corner Of Their Cage?
Hamsters may choose to sleep in their corner of the cage because it makes them feel comfortable and cozy.
But sometimes when they sleep in the corner of the cage it can be a sign of health or environmental problems.
For example, when hamsters are sick or afraid of something in their environment, they choose the corner of the cage because they feel safer from predators.
When the hamsters sleep in the corner of the cage, they may like to cool down during the summer period, because it is cooler there in the summer.
Read more: Why Is My Hamster Sleeping In The Corner of Their Cage?
Why Does My Hamster No Longer Want To Sleep In Its Bed?
There can be a number of reasons why a hamster does not want to sleep in its bed.
If hamsters do not like the design, size, or bedding of the bed, they will avoid sleeping on its bad.
Sometimes, for no particular reason, they may decide to change their sleeping place, and this is completely normal.
Hamsters may refuse to sleep in their bed if they mind the light. But all these reasons can last for some time and then the hamster will return to its bed again.
Read more: Why Does My Hamster No Longer Want To Sleep In Its Bed?
Conclusion
Hamsters can often change their sleeping habits.
They sometimes like to sleep under the exercise wheel because it makes them feel safer, because they are comfortable, or because they don’t like the light in their space.
Hamsters can sleep under the wheel for no particular reason, so you should not be worried unless they are sick or injured when you need to take them to the vet.
Hamsters will probably change their sleeping place again after a certain time, it all depends on their mood and where they choose to sleep.
