Hamster suddenly jumpy, nervous in cage

Cath · 09-26-2010, 10:34 AM

have a syrian male, about 3 months old. Until recently, we got on very well together, and he was very tame. I normally put him in his play box to play, and pick him up from there - I take his house out his cage while he's sleeping, put it in his play box, and then wake him up. His cage has always been more of his own domain, although he had gotten to the point where if I came close, he'd come up the bars to say hello and see if I had any treats.

The past week or so, though, he's been very jumpy. He'll come out of his house or tunnels into his cage, but as soon as he sees me move he'll either freeze or dash back into his tunnel. Same thing if I speak to him (although talking to someone on the phone, or watching TV, doesn't bother him at all). Once he actually urinated as he ran up into his tunnels, which seems as though he is scared... but I don't know why. Nothing's changed; I haven't had anyone else in the house who terrorises him; there are no new noises or smells. He's still fine in his play box, and I can pick him up from there and he'll run around on my arms and doesn't seem distresed at all. It's only when he's in his cage that he seems scared of me. I know hamsters can be odd little creatures, but this sudden change in behaviour worries me a bit (and to be honest, it kind of hurts my feelings! Absurd, I know, but they work their way into your heart)

**Hope** · 09-27-2010, 08:30 AM

This does sound very strange. He is ok when you ahve got him out of the cage you say?? The weeing as he is running off is worrying too, this isnt usual - they normaly use a specific corner or place etc. It dose sound like he is a frightened little chap, but I dont really know what to suggest.

Will he climb onto your hand in the cage or do you pick him up?

Cath · 09-27-2010, 12:26 PM

Yes, he's fine when he's out his cage in his play box. Which is why it almost seems like a territorial type reaction, except then I'd expect him to get aggressive rather than scared.

I don't generally pick him up from his cage - and at the moment I can't even get close enough to put my hand up by the bars for him to sniff without him running away - but when he's in his play box he'll happily come up to my hand, stand on it with his back paws on my hand and his front paws on my arm as if he's trying to climb up

He really is just the cutest little thing.

It did take some time to get him tame enough to pick up, but I think that's just because he was a bit too young to have come home, really. For the past month or so he's been so tame - if he's chewing the bars, I just look at him and say "No, Nibble" and he stops and wanders off. It's actually quite funny, but all the more confusing as to why he's suddenly more skittish.

Katty_Sheldon · 09-27-2010, 01:54 PM

Hmmm...ok im no expert, but i also witnessed some sudden changes in the behavior of my hamsters. My first started suddenly biting me in cage when he was around 3 months old. The hammie i have now started after 8 months old to bite me outside of cage, it lasted for about 2 weeks and then he stopped (i think he got a little addicted to one treat so i cut it out totally and its working i guess).
So...maybe he thinks he is a big boy now and that his cage is his own place to play so he hates when someone comes around. Maybe he will calm down a bit. Maybe if you start giving him some small non fatty treat every time you approach? Just an idea. Mine used to jump and run every time i approached and now he is great

Cath · 09-27-2010, 02:44 PM

I guess I'll just have to be patient, and go back to the same techniques I used when he was new - no sudden movements, soft and gentle talk, and treats for coming up to talk to me.

For such little creatures, they're amazingly complex - you wouldn't think they have that much going on in their heads!

**Hope** · 09-28-2010, 12:55 AM

Yeah - they can be funny little things!

Going back to the original techniques sounds like a good idea, treats can be good for a bit of bribary too! I hope that you manage to sort him out, funny as he sounds like such a happy little chap out of his cage, dont be afriad to be firm with him either - dont take any nonsence!

Is that him in your avatar? He looks like my Phoebe - a lovely sable.

Cath · 09-28-2010, 06:03 AM

Yep, that's him - my first hamster (my nieces got a hamster each, and got me hooked; I got him a few weeks after that!). He really is so sweet and curious, so I hope he gets over this nervousness.

Thanks all for the advice!