Such thing as an unsociable hamster?

DexterChloe · 11-25-2013, 02:31 PM

I have two Syrian hamsters one is as friendly as anything. The other is like a grumpy old man!!
Dexter is approx 3 months old and I've had him since he was a baby. He lives in a hamster heaven and is, to be honest, spoilt!!
He's never been particularly interested in coming out of his cage but would always come out eventually. But recently he's been refusing to come out at all!
I would never force him out so I usually open his door and have a chat with him and he would usually climb out himself . Or I'd put his ball in there and he'd climb in....
But nope not interested.. I should probably add Dexter is pretty much tame. Happy to be picked up and handled etc and is eating, drinking normally.
So my question to you guys is this. Is he just being anti social or could he be unwell? Does anyone else have a grumpy hamster?

Denisekay · 11-25-2013, 02:36 PM

Do they live together? I used to have 2 hamsters Pumpkin and Whiskers, Pumpkin would always bite me when I tried to take her out. Later on when Whiskers died Pumpkin started to stop acting this way, as if she was trying to defend her or something.

DexterChloe · 11-25-2013, 02:39 PM

No they're both Syrians and live alone... They're in the same room though.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 11-25-2013, 03:52 PM

We've got hams who don't always want playtime, its normally not a problem

I'd get him out for a full health check but if you can't see anything wrong and hes acting normally in his cage I wouldn't worry

For a few months our ham Scamp used to be very clear that her cage was far better than any playtime we could provide lol

**DrKMcK** · 11-25-2013, 04:31 PM

Hello DexterChloe. Your hammy is still very young. When I got Ted E he was also young and didn't like coming out. It changed as he got older and really changed once he realized that out time was ball time or playpen time. Now as soon as he hears me he runs to his door wanting to come out. Try holding a hammy ball at his door, let him climb in on his own, then let him run around for about 10-15 minutes. The return him to his cage. Do this each day and see how it goes. If you want a really great playpen for him try the one in the photo below. It's only $22.00-24.00. Teddy loves his (He has three hooked together. I get in with him sometimes and he crawls all over me. Once your hammy realizes that you bring fun times, he should start asking to come out.

DexterChloe · 11-30-2013, 12:58 PM

He seems frightened of me... He's gone from being quite friendly and climbing out by himself to running straight back to his nest every time I go into the room. I just don't get it. Nothing has changed my routine is the same but all of a sudden he's frightened!

any ideas? I think I'm just going to have to go back to the beginning with taming again.... Poor baby!

DexterChloe · 11-30-2013, 01:04 PM

That playpen is amazing!! I'm going to have to get myself one of these!!

**DrKMcK** · 11-30-2013, 01:09 PM

Absolutely go back to the beginning. Whatever scared him, and you may never really know what it was, he needs to be treated as a brand new hammy and you have to build up trust again. I'd leave him be, except for watering and feeding him, softly talking as you do this, for about two days, then begin again using soft talking when you approach his cage, have tasty treats so he attaches good thing to your arriving at his cage and allow him all the time he needs to re-establish a relationship. He'll turn around again. Sometimes something we don't even think about can upset these little furries. Good luck with him

LOL The playpen is great! Ted E Loves his.

DexterChloe · 11-30-2013, 01:33 PM

I even asked my OH if he'd accidentally knocked the cage or something! It's really bizarre. But yes I'll go right back to the beginning and start again! Silly boy!! Thank you. You've made me feel so much better.

**DrKMcK** · 11-30-2013, 01:47 PM

Glad to help. Please keep us up to date on how he does.

Photos (When he allows them) would be lovely