Why is my hamster freezing after being startled? Will she be okay?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This does sound like she is quite stressed. The good news is that typically this improves on its own just by giving them a bit of space. I would not be too concerned about this. I would recommend you do not handle her anymore today and wait until tomorrow. A bit of space is likely to resolve this issue. Best of luck!

It sounds like you are doing everything correctly. Separating them is the best idea because once they start fighting it usually will not subside. It sounds like she is doing OK but continue to monitor her for signs of illness/distress. If you notice anything or you become worried then please get her to a local exotics veterinarian for an exam. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for reaching out about Peppermint and including photos. Continue to monitor for appetite and water consumption. Continue to talk in a soft voice and allow her to get comfortable with her new surroundings. If decreased appetite of soft stool, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

Hi! Daisy sounds like a very healthy, normal hamster! Hamsters are crepuscular, which means they will be most active at dawn and dusk. Hamsters are also prey species, and have an innate drive to avoid predation. Daisy’s instincts tell her to be still and/or hide if she suspects she may be in danger. The abrupt switching on if the lights likely startles Daisy and until she can assess the situation to be sure she is safe, she will freeze to avoid detection by a possible predator, just like you said. So this is just natural self preservation instinct, and nothing to be worried about. However, it may be a bit stressful to Daisy, so try to minimize how often you turn the lights on during the night. If you’d like to observe her in the dark, consider getting a red or blue light bulb (from petco or other pet store, often in the reptile section) that will allow you to see her, but should disturb her.

No, I would not be overly worried. He may just be tired from stress. Just keep an eye on him and if he isn't better in 24 hours you should take him to a vet for an exam. He may be coming down with an illness; very common, especially if purchased at a pet store.

Poor Baby! If he was having a seizure, they can have a "post-ictal" phase where they are no longer convulsing but are still disoriented. If this is the first time he has ever had a seizure, I would recommend having a vet take a look at him to ensure there isn't a medical reason for why he could have started seizuring. I hope this helps and hopefully he never has another one.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Pip. From your description, this doesn't sound like a seizure. He may be stressed from the car ride and changing locations again. I would put his cage in a quiet room to allow him to calm down, and monitor him. If he is still this way tomorrow morning, have him seen by a vet. I hope this helps!