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Old 09-01-2014, 07:37 PM   #1
PoroLover
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Question Two new Hamsters, help?

So today me and my girlfriend purchased a Roborovski and a Chinese Dwarf (both females) and this is the first small pet we have owned. Me and her have owned dogs and me a fish before but never hamsters.

I have been searching for about two weeks now about hamsters making sure I had the correct information; don't use cotton, big big big spaces, not to many treats etc. I found a lot of information about Robos but not as much for Chinese since my girlfriend wanted the more personable one.

The Robo is fine and doing better than expected. Nesting already, loving the wheel and is already fine with having my hand in the tub, she almost even ate one snack from my hand earlier!

But heres the thing, the Chinese, while seeming to be more okay with hands at first, seems to not want to interact all that much now. Immediately after setting up her cage and putting her in, she burrowed under the food dish and sat for about 4-5 hours.

I was scared she was dead at first so I checked twice now, but shes fine. My Robo has eaten some pellets, drank water, had sand baths, bathroom etc, but the Chinese has done nothing but hide and sleep. Is this simply because they are really nocturnal or is it because they are scared?

I don't have a habitat I would like for her just yet because my second bin broke so shes currently in the cage we were going to use for training (it is not as big as preferable). Could this be the problem? Or should I just give it time?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

With thanks, PoroLover
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Old 09-02-2014, 11:22 AM   #2
kyrilliondaemon
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Default Re: Two new Hamsters, help?

I'd leave them for a day or two to settle in and then start looking at taming. They've had a lot of changes today so its best to not stress them anymore really
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Old 09-02-2014, 11:26 AM   #3
NiceCrocs
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Default Re: Two new Hamsters, help?

Give them two to three days to settle in before bothering them; only approach the cages to change water and food.

Robos and Chinese hamsters are both notoriously difficult to tame, and many prefer to be 'look but don't touch' pets. So once you start taming be very patient, it could be weeks before you see any progress.

good luck with your new hammys!
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Old 09-02-2014, 11:57 AM   #4
Skeever
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Default Re: Two new Hamsters, help?

Many hams are generally terrified for the first few days. If not, I figure I lucked out. Let the ham make its home and feel okay in the new space, and the new sounds and smells all around....hamster taming is slower than many other animals I've had. Part of their solitary nature, I guess....let the hamster approach at its own speed and comfort level. It may very well hide for a day or so....
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Old 09-02-2014, 04:11 PM   #5
Peanut84
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Default Re: Two new Hamsters, help?

I think Chinese hamsters are generally shy and actually prefer smaller spaces so I wouldn't worry. It's so exciting to have a new hamster, when I got mine first I was constantly worried if he was acting normal
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Old 09-02-2014, 10:46 PM   #6
cypher
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Default Re: Two new Hamsters, help?

Chinese hamsters are shy & take a while to get used to you but they also love to burrow & dig like crazy in plenty of substrate, mine does it for hours & I hardly saw her the first few days I had her, as well as being timid & a bit scared of me I think she was just having too much fun so don't worry just let them settle for a bit.
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Old 09-05-2014, 10:52 PM   #7
PoroLover
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Default Re: Two new Hamsters, help?

Hey guys =)

Update: Thank you for the help so far. Was good to give a few days but I still haven't seen much of the Chinese (we named Song for now), and she doesn't come out much unless it's at night. Earlier I dug to the bottom of the tub because she had not moved in 15 hours. I at least know Song loves the new chew sticks I have. Almost got her to move out. Should I give her more time?

As for the Robo shes doing Phenomenal! She doesnt mind my hand, almost bit through the skin ^^' but I can tell it was because she was hungry not agitated. I got her A LOT of tunnels and play toys and she was running around for about an hour and a half even with my hand moving stuff around so I can tell she feels at home. I even lifted her today and she didn't panic. I have high hopes for her. =)
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Old 09-05-2014, 11:31 PM   #8
cypher
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Default Re: Two new Hamsters, help?

You may just have to be very, very patient with Song (great name!) they do take time to tame but it's so worth the wait when they finally begin to get braver.
I know I had a few panicky days wondering if mine was actually alive at the start but try not to disturb too much if you can avoid it, let her come out in her own time.
Make sure she has plenty of places to hide away if she gets spooked, small cardboard boxes, toilet roll tubes are good for that, mine has an egg box I just cut a couple of small holes in & she loves that.
Try scatter feeding too as they encourages them to spend more time out in the open.
I'm sure you'll soon be getting to see more of her
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Old 09-09-2014, 05:15 AM   #9
Almiraswolf
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Default Re: Two new Hamsters, help?

I love the name you chose for your Chinese ham

Ive had my Chinese hammy Sakura for about 2 months now, it can take a while for them to come out of their shell because of being very shy. When I first got her she would rarely come out when I/other people were in the room and she generally only became active after I went to bed. Ive been getting her to feel more relaxed by talking to her when Im in the room and also offering her food they aren't as food motivated as some hams so I went with dried mealworms to tempt her out (they are quite irresistible to most hamsters).

At first she wouldn't take the food from my hand, but over a few weeks she went from taking food from my fingers, to gently stepping onto my hand to take food from my palm. It varies some days as to whether to sit on/near my hand to eat, though some days she prefers to take the food under her rainbow bridge to eat ^__^
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