Need help with shy hamster :(

[KWsHamstery]

No problem love, that is what we are here for! We have plenty of advice to give, you're not silly you're just new to this. I was much worse when I first began, so please do not beat yourself up at all!
There was no way for you to know all of this, so none of us blame you, we have all been there! Its is so disheartening when you love them so much and you feel like they dont love you the same. I know with the first nervous hamster I ever had I just felt like "PLEASE STOP THIS, no need to bite! WHyyyyyyyyyyy I LOVE YOUUUU, PLEASE DONT FIGHT MY LOVE...JUST LOVE ME!" And you feel like you're doing everything wrong!
But I give you my word, it gets better!
A month from now you will look back at this post and be glad that you did keep her. Because she will end up the best little furry you've ever had.
"If it comes to easy, its not worth having, and if its worth having, it won't come easy."

[Mama2six]

DSCN0725.jpg
Meet Destro. He was a pet store hamster, who DOVE down into his tube and stayed there forever everytime he sensed anything was going on around his cage. He would stay there, in his verticle tube, until I'd wonder if he was sleeping. It was ridiculous.

But the picture above is of him today. This is one of his "begging to come out" poses. He has 3 doors, and he knows where each of them are and he will just sit and look at us all pathetic until someone can't take it anymore and we get him out! He is the FRIENDLIEST, most sociable hamster that we have. He is unbelievably wonderful.

It took less than a month before he was friendly, and then another few weeks before he started to beg to come out like this.

He is truly a joy to have. Don't give up yet! Your hamster sounds perfectly normal... just keep working with her and be patient.

I'm currently working with my little Matilda, to tame her, and she is also very scared, but improving. The strategy I am trying with her, since slow and steady was not working very well, was to simply hold her every day whether she liked it or not. After 4 days, she is MUCH improved. Different hamsters may take different strategies.

I also recommend that you leave her nest completely alone. Clean it when you clean her cage. It is okay, especially for now. Even if you have a well-established hamster, you do not want to disturb their nest every day.

That is surely not your entire problem, but it may be enough to help!

I have a hamster (Pokey) who will freeze like you describe. She is a little hyper, and then she will just stop and be perfectly still. Hilarious! She is a friendly hamster. I expect your hamster's freezing behavior is not related to her fear, but I could be wrong.

I don't blame you for wanting to cry... but keep at it and I expect you will have a lovely little friend in a few more weeks! Don't give up!

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Originally Posted by Nush

I'll try to answer the questions:.

She loves her wheel the most when the lights are off and I've gone to bed. She will use the wheel when I'm awake but she will get on the wheel for 3-5 seconds and jump off then look around for 3-5 seconds then jump back on and repeat. I feel like she feels like she can't keep her guard down because she's scared. This behavior has been going on ever since I brought her home. Right now she has a comfort wheel but I've got a wodent wheel on the way as I type so I'm hoping she will feel safer in the enclosed wheel.

So I'm not so sure if she would like the ball or would be terrified of it. I'm definitely up for running out to the store today and picking one up if that will help.

1. What would be the correct way to introduce her to it and show her how to use it?

2. How long should I wait before introducing her to the ball?

3. I would love to give her a sand bath. What type of sand can I use? I hear good and bad things about using chinchilla sand.

4. I give her either a little piece of fruit or veggies. She does have some dog treats but I only give her a small piece at a time. Can you recommend any good, healthy treats? I mostly have access to Petco, grocery store, health store and an upscale pet store.

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Originally Posted by a_small_pineapple

On the pee-ing in the bed thing... my most recent monster did the same thing at first. I think she just wasn't used to having such a big space all for herself after those little adoption cages in the shop. It took a couple of weeks before she really seemed to understand that the whole cage is just for her and she doesn't have to hide in her nest...

Thank you how long should I postponed the next cleaning for? Last time I cleaned it was January 28th, so it will be a week tomorrow. I also realized that I haven't mentioned that she does have a 20 gallon aquarium as a cage. It has two levels. That's why I was so worried about her getting a respatory disease. So I have tried to spot clean.

The store I got her from kept her in the middle of the store in a open top glass encloser. It measured about 30 long 35 wide and maybe 17 high.

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Originally Posted by KWsHamstery

No problem love, that is what we are here for! We have plenty of advice to give, you're not silly you're just new to this. I was much worse when I first began, so please do not beat yourself up at all!
There was no way for you to know all of this, so none of us blame you, we have all been there! Its is so disheartening when you love them so much and you feel like they dont love you the same. I know with the first nervous hamster I ever had I just felt like "PLEASE STOP THIS, no need to bite! WHyyyyyyyyyyy I LOVE YOUUUU, PLEASE DONT FIGHT MY LOVE...JUST LOVE ME!" And you feel like you're doing everything wrong!
But I give you my word, it gets better!
A month from now you will look back at this post and be glad that you did keep her. Because she will end up the best little furry you've ever had.
"If it comes to easy, its not worth having, and if its worth having, it won't come easy."

Thank you. These kind words do make me feel better. And thank you for knocking some sense into me. But Ya, that's pretty much how I feel. I just want to love her, keep her safe a day give her a little happy life.

[KWsHamstery]

And we all have no doubt that you will do just that! You are already off to an amazing start!
The best hamster owners are the ones that aren't afraid to ask questions if it means improving their hamsters quality of life, and you have made it more than clear you are willing to do just that!
If anything, we are all proud of you.

[Nush]

It's hard to tell whether she'll like the ball or not. Some hamsters love it some don't. If she does though then it's easier to tame her. What I do I throw a treat in the ball, the first time and put them on the floor. It's a sink or swim moment. Some of them would run in it like mad and love it others wouldn't.

I think before trying the ball though, you can make a play pen for her using a cardboard box. Skittish hamsters prefer confined space so cardboard is good. If you put a lot of smaller boxes in plus toys and once you've replaced the comfort wheel you can use it in the play pen. I also scatter hamster mix around and let my hammy fill his pouch.

In terms of treat, try broccoli. I'm not sure why all my hamsters love it. If I give them the choice between 2 veggies, they always go for the broccoli first!

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Well I got her a ball. So I will just have to wait and see what happens.

I'll be sure to o try the box idea and I'll pick up some broccoli after work.

Thank you so much for all of the advice. If anyone else can offer more tips I would be very thankful.

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

I have a question...

Today I tried to place a treat near the tip of my fingers and offered it to my hamster. She came out to investigate but stood there watching before taking it. During her hesitation my imagination ran away with me and I could see her freaking out and biting me. By the time she actually decided to move she moved slowly and sniffed my finger tip. I flinched in the slightest bit and she got scared. I felt horrible and mad at myself.

The thing is that I wasn't so scared of her before but now since she's so fearful I worry that she'll bite me out of defense or randomly. I worry that she will mistake my finger for the treat and bite me deeply.

1. Can anyone explain how bad hamster bites really are? People say it takes chunks out and bites are to the bone.
2. Realistically, if I wash my hands and the only scent on me is that of her treat then what are the chances she will mistake the tips of my fingers as the treat?
3. Is there any chance she will bite me out of no where or is it something that they do when provoked?

Any tips on what I could do to get myself over this irrational fear? I really don't want to resort to gloves because I just rather not unless I really, really have to.

[Chewster]

I would suggest gloves.. They can sense fear and this might put her off... She will get more confident as the days go on so just keep going doing what you are doing.. I don't know how bad hamster bites are, I have had mine for a month now and and I've had the odd nip here and there but it doesn't hurt