Why Does My Hamster Run at Night? NZ Guide to Nocturnal Hamsters

The quick answer: your hamster runs at night because hamsters are naturally night-active animals. Evening and overnight running, digging, foraging and wheel use are normal. A hamster that sleeps through much of the day and becomes busy after dark is usually following its normal rhythm.

⚠️ First, the New Zealand reality: you cannot legally get a hamster here. Hamsters are not an approved import species. MPI allows only rabbits and guinea pigs (from Australia) and chinchillas (from Great Britain) to be brought in as pet rodents and lagomorphs, and states plainly that hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats cannot be brought into New Zealand. There is no lawful domestic source either — New Zealand has no established pet hamster population — so a hamster offered for sale here would not have a lawful origin. This page is kept because "what about hamsters?" is one of the most-asked NZ small-pet questions, and for readers keeping hamsters overseas. If you are choosing a small pet in New Zealand, start with Exotic Pets Banned in NZ and the legal options in Small Pets and Exotics NZ.

Why night activity is normal

Hamsters are built to explore, forage, dig and move when the house is quiet. Night running can include:

• using a suitable solid running wheel
• digging in deep bedding
• carrying food to a store
• moving between hides and tunnels
• chewing safe materials and exploring scent trails

Support those needs with How to Set Up a Hamster Cage NZ, Hamster vs Guinea Pig: Which Is Right for NZ Homes?, Best Small Pets for Apartments NZ and Small Pets and Exotics NZ.

How to make night running safer

Use a secure enclosure, deep bedding, hides, chew items, foraging opportunities and a wheel that lets your hamster run without arching its back. Keep the cage away from draughts, direct heat, loud speakers and bright overnight light.

Try not to wake your hamster for daytime handling. Disturbed sleep can make hamsters stressed and defensive.

When night running is not just normal activity

Get advice from an exotic or small-mammal vet if your hamster suddenly runs frantically, falls, circles, seems weak, loses weight, stops eating, overgrooms, shows wounds or changes behaviour sharply. Also review the cage if there is constant bar chewing, repeated escape attempts or no place to hide.

Related reading

• How to Set Up a Hamster Cage NZ
• Hamster vs Guinea Pig: Which Is Right for NZ Homes?
• Best Small Pets for Apartments NZ
• Small Pets and Exotics NZ

References

• MPI, Bringing pets to NZ (other than cats and dogs) — only rabbits and guinea pigs from Australia and chinchillas from Great Britain may be imported; hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats cannot be brought into New Zealand, checked 2026-07-29: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-pets-to-nz-other-than-cats-and-dogs

• RSPCA, Hamsters, checked 2026-06-11: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters
• RSPCA, Hamster behaviour, checked 2026-06-11: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters/behaviour
• VCA Animal Hospitals (Rich, Hess & Axelson, DVM), Owning a Pet Hamster — nocturnal activity, checked 2026-07-16: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/owning-a-pet-hamster

Important notice

*General hamster behaviour information for NZ owners. Injury, weakness, weight loss, not eating, circling or sudden behaviour change needs an exotic or small-mammal vet.*