Why Do Hamsters Run So Much? Find All The Reasons
Running is the natural habit of a hamster. As a matter of fact, they need to run to keep their fitness well. But, doing anything excessive is not certainly good.
So, why do hamsters run so much? There could be a number of reasons behind it. Primarily, it is their natural instinct to run. Also, they will run if they feel bored or eat a high-energy diet.
Is it a bad thing? That depends on the reason behind it. Naturally, they run to keep themself fit and burn extra energy.
If you have a hamster, it is a vital concern for you to think about why they are running so much. So, in this article, let’s discuss why do hamsters like to run so much and when you need to take action.
Why Do Hamsters Run So Much?
![Why Do Hamsters Run So Much](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Why-Do-Hamsters-Run-So-Much-1.jpg)
There are several reasons behind it. So, let’s talk about them here in detail.
Natural Instinct
Into the wild, hamsters need to cover miles to find food. And they are used to doing this every day. That is why you will see hamsters running all day despite living in a cage.
Usually, you see this activity at night. That raises a question, why do hamsters run so much at night? Hamsters used to find food at night. So, that makes sense they will run so much at night from their natural instinct.
Boredom
I already mentioned that hamsters cover miles in the wild. So, when you put it in a small cage, there is nothing to do but run. Therefore, it will run on the wheel to get rid of boredom and mimic wildlife. And that thing happens more when the cage does not have sufficient space.
Lose Energy
![Hamster Lose Energy](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hamster-Lose-Energy.jpg)
A hamster’s diet consists of high-energy foods. And that makes them super active. So they run on the wheel to burn extra energy to remain fit. For example, hamsters eat sunflower seeds with high energy content. What else can they do but run?
Insufficient Toys
![Insufficient Toys in Hamster Cage](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Insufficient-Toys-in-Hamster-Cage.jpg)
When there is nothing in the cage but a running wheel, indeed hamster will stick to it. A hamster is a playful pet that requires several toys to play with. Also, it is a proactive pet that runs or plays with something all day. However, if you put just a running wheel, it will try to run much. So, before thinking about why do hamsters keep running, give them some toys.
Fear
Also, it can run out of fear. When you are captivating a wild animal, it will take time to adjust to the cage. Moreover, having other pets in your house, such as dogs, can make them scary. Therefore, they will try to escape their fear by running as they used to do in the wild.
Also, sometimes they can not get out of the wheel, which makes them scary. And they try to leave the wheel by running faster. Eventually, they fail to do that and keep running until they get exhausted.
Consequences Of Excessive Running
![Hamster is Running Too Much](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hamster-is-Running-Too-Much.jpg)
Running is a natural habit for a hamster. But, excessive is not suitable for them, that is for sure. If your hamster is running too much, that can cause dehydration, exhaustion, injury, and weight loss.
Yes, running at a certain level is good for their health. But, excessive running will burn all the energy, and that can make the body dehydrate. Without the energy, they will feel exhaustion and sores.
.Usually, they will not stop until they feel exhausted or sore. They lose all of their body’s energy at that time, leading to a massive health problem. Therefore, hamsters will gradually lose weight and become weak day by day.
In addition, when running on the wheel or around the cage, there are several chances of injuries due to excessive exercise.
How Long Should Your Hamster Run On The Wheel?
![How Long Should Your Hamster Run On The Wheel](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-Long-Should-Your-Hamster-Run-On-The-Wheel.jpg)
There is no specific time for a hamster to run on the wheel. It depends on the other facts too. It is not an issue if your hamster is resting, drinking water, and eating food properly. A hamster can run for up to two hours without stopping. And that is normal for them.
Moreover, hamsters will run for about five to six hours every night without damaging their health. However, make sure it is taking the rest and not running continuously. If it is doing so, that is the problem and causes severe health damage. In the worst case, that can lead a hamster to death.
How To Prevent A Hamster From Running So Much?
![How To Prevent A Hamster From Running So Much](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-To-Prevent-A-Hamster-From-Running-So-Much.jpg)
That could be a problem if your hamster runs more than six hours per night. Whether it is for fear or boredom, you should do something to prevent that excessive exercise.
Using a larger cage is an efficient solution for preventing excessive runs. Also, you can make the two parts of the cage to let them roam around the rooms and have fun. In addition, you need to put various toys to divert the mind of your favorite pet.
If it is still not working, you have to spread the food around the cage instead of putting it in a bowl. Therefore, they will roam around and eat food rather than run on the wheel. Also, take your hamster out of the cage and keep it under supervision to explore the outside as they used to do in the wild.
Moreover, you need to change the toys regularly to let them have fun without getting bored. And the last thing you can do is, remove the wheel from the cage and put it back for a specific period. Therefore, your hamster will not get a chance to do excessive running.
FAQs
Here are some answers to the most asked question on why do hamsters keep running.
1. How Much Do Hamsters Run Per Day?
A hamster can run five to six hours per day without affecting its health. However, it should take a rest and eat proper food between running.
2. Is It Normal For Hamsters To Run For Hours?
Yes, hamsters can run for 1-2 hours a burst. And that is normal for them. If you see your hamster running for an hour without stopping, that is not an issue. However, if it is not stopping and ignoring food, water is a vital sign of a major issue.
3. Why Won’t My Hamster Stop Running?
When a hamster feels bored and fears something, it will start running from its natural instinct. However, running five or six hours per night is normal for them. As long as they are taking rest and running again, it is not an issue.
Conclusion
That is all regarding why do hamsters like to run so much. It is okay to run for around six hours per night. However, ensure your hamster is eating food and taking proper rest.
But can a hamster run too much on a wheel? No, excessive exercise is harmful to health. Give them enough toys and make the cage larger to ensure the proper living space of your hamster.