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A hamster that keeps falling over is often suffering from a problem with its vestibular system. The vestibular system is the set of tissues within mammals that help us balance.
If your hamster also tilts its head to one side and wobbles as it walks, then it has likely got a problem somewhere within its ears, such as an infection or tumour. Ear infections can often be treated by a vet through a course of antibiotics, but if it’s a more serious problem, like a tumour, then the problem may be more difficult to treat. We recommend that you take your hamster to the vet for a diagnosis and treatment.
A hamster with an unsteady gait could be suffering from a problem with its ears
Another reason that your hamster could be a little unsteady on its feet is that it has recently suffered a stroke. If your hamster sways as it’s walking, tilts its head a lot, or walks in circles, then your hamster could’ve recently suffered a stroke. For more information on strokes, have a look at our hamster illnesses page.
Comments
Ashley, 7 March 2024
So my hamster was perfectly fine. I was in a chair. I was checking on the hamster and he kept falling over when he walked. I noticed blood on his butt. His fur looks wet and he’s breathing fast. I don’t know what’s wrong.
Elizabeth, 5 October 2023
My 2 and half year hamster keeps falling over when he tries to walk
Anna, 14 March 2022
My daughter's hamster hasn't been cleaning herself very well and there is a odor, it's not wet tail because it's been going on for about 2 wks now. We have been cleaning her ourselves every evening but now I've noticed her left front leg is swollen and she is very unsteady when she walks...Any suggestions or ideas of what may be going on??? She's a little over 2 yrs old....
Abigail, 5 December 2021
I had just got home from hanging out with my friends and my sister brings my hamster to me and he can walk but he’s kind of limping a little and he just gradually got worse and now it’s really hard for him to walk or lift his head but he can open his eyes sort of drag himself and can pee and poo I’m really not sure what’s wrong and it’s upsetting
Gabby, 1 May 2021
My hamster is 3 but for bast few days shes been shaking and not being as active as she normally is we spoke to the vet and they just said it's old age, she wont eat and will only drink when shes helped is this because shes old or could there be something else