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.
Jan, 2 May 2020
My hamster falls over and rolls over when walks. Often just lays in tube