Hamsters are cute active pets that love running around inside (and outside) their cages. So, you mustn’t ignore it if your hamster suddenly starts having trouble walking. But what can your hamster’s weird walk tell you?
Your hamster could be walking weirdly due to several health issues. It could be an injury, a broken leg, or other conditions such as scurvy, hind leg issues, ear problems, dehydration, etc. More severe cases include paralysis or stroke. Old age may also affect your hamster’s walk.
No matter the problem, taking your hamster to a vet is advisable if it starts walking weirdly. You can prevent many severe conditions from progressing by taking the pet for a checkup early. This article explains several reasons for your hamster’s weird walk.
Here Is Why your Hamster’s Having Trouble Walking
Hamsters are prone to accidents since they love running around as a way of expending their energy reserves. These cute furballs can fall or get stuck in their cage while running.
Injuries such as fractures, sprains, or torn muscles are some of the most common reasons your hamster may have trouble walking. These injuries require immediate attention for pain alleviation and your pet’s fast recovery without further damage.
Here are several symptoms that can indicate a broken leg:
- Swelling of the limb
- Hamster dragging the broken limb
- An inactive hamster
- Limping
- A slight popping noise when your hamster moves
- An open wound
Let’s see some of the main reasons for your hamster’s weird walk.
Paralysis
Hamsters can have two different types of paralysis:
- Hind-limb paralysis
- Cage paralysis
Both cage and hind-limb paralysis exhibit almost the same symptoms, but hind-limb paralysis is likely to be more serious.
Let’s try to understand the conditions better.
Hind-Limb Paralysis
As the name suggests, the hamster with hind-limb paralysis can’t use its back legs. It limits your pet’s movements. This type of paralysis can be due to several factors:
- A spinal cord injury that damages the nerves reaching the limbs.
- Bacterial infection.
- Hereditary conditions in male hamsters.
- Vitamin D and E deficiency can also cause hind leg paralysis.
In case the hind-limb paralysis is due to a bacterial infection, the hamster’s body tries to fight off the infection. But in doing so, the hamster can damage its nerve tissue, whose chemical makeup resembles the bacteria.
A vet can treat hind-limb paralysis, such as an injury or infection, if the reason is treatable. In other cases, the paralysis may be life-long.
Cage Paralysis
Exercise is very important for hamsters. Lack of activity can affect their mood, making them destructive and irritable. It can also cause severe health problems such as cage paralysis, a condition where the hamster appears immobile or is unable to walk normally in its cage.
An obese hamster can also encounter this problem, which can impact how it walks. When your hamster is obese, it may not be as active as it should be, increasing its chances of cage paralysis.
The best way to treat cage paralysis is to give your hamster a bigger cage and more workout equipment.
Stroke
Just like humans, hamsters can also get strokes that result in permanent or temporary paralysis, making it difficult for your hamster to walk correctly. You may not be able to see too many signs before a stroke. But if your hamster is too tired, you need to pay attention.
Here are signs that your hamster may have had a stroke:
- Inability to walk properly.
- Running around in uncoordinated circles.
- Inability to sit still or rock back and forth.
- A head tilt.
- Collapsing after exercise or physical activity.
Scurvy
Scurvy is a severe and painful health condition due to vitamin C deficiency. Scurvy is also one of the reasons for hind leg paralysis. So, when you see your hamster hopping around, it is time to visit the vet.
Here are some symptoms of scurvy:
- Wobbly or hunched walk
- Laziness
- Weight loss
- Fur loss
To avoid scurvy, you must ensure your hamster gets enough vitamin C in its daily diet. You can consult an animal nutritionist or a vet to see how much vitamin C your hamster needs.
Arthritis and Old Age
Hamsters can develop arthritis that can cause pain and trouble when walking. Your pet may walk with a limp or hunch in case of arthritis, a condition that mostly affects senior hamsters.
When your hamster develops arthritis, it needs proper care and attention. The most crucial step is ensuring your pet’s wheel is safe for them. However, you mustn’t remove the wheel, as older hamsters with arthritis can benefit from the exercise.
You should therefore keep the wheel unless the vet advises you otherwise.
Ear Infections
Ear infections can affect hamsters and have them walking or running around in circles. The condition, in most cases, isn’t too severe and is treatable. The infection can develop due to different reasons:
- Fungal infection
- Damage to the eardrum
- Earwax buildup
- Excessive moisture or water in the ear
- Underlying conditions
You must take your hamster to the vet immediately if you see the signs.
- Head shaking
- Head tilt
- Reduced appetite
- Laziness
- Lack of balance or dizziness
Conclusion
Your hamster may have trouble walking due to underlying medical conditions such as a broken leg, arthritis due to old age, stroke, paralysis, etc.
Therefore, when you see your hamster wobbling, dragging its hind legs, or hopping, a visit to the vet is important for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Most conditions are curable, but some may permanently damage your hamster’s legs and affect their walk.