Why Does My Hamster Tremble in Its Sleep?
📝 Summary
A hamster that trembles or twitches while sleeping worries many owners. The cause is usually fear, cold, a fast heartbeat, or a disturbed day. Here is how to read it.
1 Fear
Loud noise or bright light in its home can leave a hamster trembling in its sleep even after the cause is gone.
2 Cold
When it is very cold and the nest isn’t warm, a sleeping hamster shivers because it is extremely cold-sensitive. Warm it up with a small shirt or warmer bedding, or it may be harmed by the cold.
3 Normal Heartbeat
A hamster’s heart rate differs from ours — about 100 beats per minute, fairly rapid. In sleep that rapid beat can look like trembling, but it is normal and the hamster is fine.
4 Disturbed Daytime Sleep
Hamsters sleep by day and are active at night; daytime is the owner’s active time, which disturbs them and can cause twitching in their sleep. Put the cage where no one moves around so they aren’t startled.
Sleeping ten-plus hours by day is normal; don’t worry it is sick — when you sleep, it is wide awake. Consult an online vet if you have other questions.
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