Sleeping Habits of Dwarf Hamsters

Dwarf hamsters are between 2 and 4 inches in size. They have sharp teeth and are capable of chewing through thick wood, cardboard and plastic. Therefore, they need to be housed in a hamster-safe cage. Hamsters are not cuddly and do not like to be held, though they typically only bite when they are scared or awakened from deep sleep. According to the book "Animal Planet Hamsters," they do not make good pets for small children.

  1. Sleep Requirements

    • Dwarf hamsters sleep during the day, and are awake during the night. This can be challenging for new owners, especially for children, because they expect the hamster to be awake when they are. According to Animal Rights Coalition, since hamsters are nocturnal, disturbing their sleep cycle will cause stress and possibly cause them an early death.

    Location of Pet Hamsters

    • Dwarf hamsters make excellent pets, and do well if their owners respect their nocturnal sleep pattern. They do not tolerate other hamsters and will fight with each other, according to the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association. They should be placed in a warm part of the house. They shouldn't be placed in a bedroom because they make a lot of noise during the night, and can cause sleep problems for their human caretakers.

    Hibernation

    • Hamsters do not normally hibernate. This is because they are naturally from environments that are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, they do sometimes go into a temporary hibernating state, according to "Animal Planet Hamsters," a reference book on hamsters. If you have a hibernating hamster it will look as if it is lifeless (dead). It will not respond to touch, sound or movement. You will not see it breathing but can determine if it is hibernating by its whiskers. If its whiskers are twitching, the hamster is alive.

    Bedding

    • Dwarf hamsters have an average a life span of 2 to 3 years with excellent care. Their sleeping habits should not be altered -- they need to be kept in a quiet area that is warm -- and they need appropriate food. Hamsters that aren't allowed to sleep during the day suffer extreme stress, agitation and are more likely to bite, according to Animal Planet Hamsters. An appropriate habitat will aid in successful rest. Provide natural bedding products such as recycled hamster bedding, available in most pet stores, or place shredded white paper in their cage for them to sleep on.