Hamster flat ears

Question
QUESTION: Hi

I've noticed that my syrian hamsters ears have gone flat against his head and they never used to be like that, why has this happened?

ANSWER: Hi Sam

How old is your hamster?  Apart from this how is he behaving?  Often when they first wake up their ears are flat but usually they stick up once they are fully awake.  If he is tired or sick they may well remain flat.

Has anything else changed at all with him?

Regards
Sheila

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I would say he is about 6 months old and when in his cage he tends to just sleep but we had him in his ball last night and he ran about a bit although my hisband did say he looked like he was starting to get a little distressed.  Apart from that he's just been a little quiet.

Answer
Hi Sam

One thing to know about male Syrians is that some are very lazy!  I've known some to pretty much sleep all their life.  They are often a lot less active than females.  The fact that he is so young makes me wonder if this is just a sign of nervousness - has something spooked him?  Also the fact that your husband felt that he looked a little distressed.

Has there been any change in his water consumption?  Is he eating normally?  What is his poo like - does it look normal or is there any sign of diarrhea?  If everything seems to be fine apart from his ears/quietness, then this may well just be some sort of psychological issue.

It might be worth starting all over again with taming him. When you go to pick him up rub some of his bedding onto your hands then place a hand each side and scoop him up.  Immediately transfer him on your clothing (I usually sit down at this stage) and let him explore you.  If you talk to him all the time and if he starts to wander off gently place a hand under him and bring him back.  Don't squeeze him or approach from the top as this can spook hamsters.  After a few minutes return him to his cage.  Chances are he will want to come straight out again as he will be curious by then.  If so, let him come out again.  If you try this for a few evenings so he gets used to coming out of his cage again before putting him in his ball.

I find that most hamsters love going in the ball, but there are some that don't - either they just curl up and go to sleep or are almost too afraid to run around.  In these cases it is a good idea to find alternative ways of giving them something new to explore/smell - hence why it is good letting them wander (supervised).  If you have an area of your home that is hamster-proof (I find my hallway is best as there is no furniture - I put towels up against the doors to block any gaps) and then let him wander around with you sitting there - he might enjoy this. Sometimes I sit on the stairs and read a book/newspaper with one of my hamsters wandering around the hallway!

In terms of getting him to be a bit more active - it is quite easy to get them into a routine.  If you tap his cage gently and call his name early in the evening and see if he will rally.  if not, try this again a short time afterwards.  Often the smell of some nice food will get them out of bed - I give mine some fresh vegetables or cheese or cooked egg in the evenings.  Also, when you see him out and about in his cage talk to him a lot and also give him a treat (nut or similar) so that he associates you with something nice.

Whereabouts is his cage?  Is it in a quiet area of the home or is it near a TV or stereo.  It is best not to place them near any sudden sounds or areas where you keep having to walk past all the time as this can make them jump and keep disturbing them.

I hope this helps you and that you notice some improvement soon.  If you discover any other symptoms/signs that seem unusual then it would be worth getting him checked out just to be on the safeside, but hopefully this is something that can be resolved fairly easily.

Regards
Sheila