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Old 04-23-2015, 04:33 AM   #1
heidi_hamster
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
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Default New hamster is scared, sleeps for ages and when is awake just plays in wheel! Tips!!

Hi All

I wondered if I could get your help with our new hamster.

I have owned 2 male hamsters in the past and they were very easy to tame - all I had to do was stroke them while they were eating and the rest was pretty simple!

We bought Heidi on Saturday, she is a 7 week Syrian hamster. When she first arrived she was climbing all over the cage very excitable. Since Saturday she is terrified. Every time she gets a fright she either runs into her house or runs like a maniac on the wheel. She does not eat from her bowl in front of us so we cannot stroke her at any opportunity. We have tried feeding her from our hand while she is running in the wheel but she may have a little nibble and then run again. She does not approach the bars if I try feeding her through them.

We are keeping her in the living room but are out at work all day - so the noise starts from about 6pm (us in open plan kitchen and tv on). However she is waking at 11pm and going to sleep at 7am! So we are having very minimal time with her.

We are currently trying the scented tissue thing having read the forum. My husband put the tissue in this morning (I did notice Heidi's head come out the house and smell), I will be putting my tissue in later today (hoping that two scents isn't confusing??)

Our concern is when it comes to cleaning out the cage at the weekend how the hell we will get her out the cage. Yesterday every single movement she made you could see she was terrified. Any tips??

Thanks so much and sorry for crazy long message!
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Old 04-26-2015, 01:11 AM   #2
Thin Lizzy
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Default Re: New hamster is scared, sleeps for ages and when is awake just plays in wheel! Tip

Hi and Welcome to the forum.
You've only had her for a week, hamsters need time to settle and adjust to their new home.
Good you're using the tissue trick.
Please don't clean out the cage, it's too soon! I and all members do daily spot checks.
Does she pee in the same area of the cage? If she does then doing a daily spot check, removing the wet substrate and mixing in some dry with old.
I clean my cages every 3 weeks and when I do, I hold back some of the old substrate and bedding to blend in with the new. Hamsters like to be able to smell their scent.
It's important to talk as often as you can to her, encourage her, when she comes out of her bed, praise her, tell her she's a good girl. Hammies can sense your moods so it's important that you're relaxed with her.
All new hammies react jumpy at first, don't go about the house quietly, she will get use to the noises you make, all hams make noises that may sound alarming to you but, it's just them reacting and in time this will stop.
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Old 04-26-2015, 01:24 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: New hamster is scared, sleeps for ages and when is awake just plays in wheel! Tip

Hi & welcome!
I'd agree with everything Lizzy has said, I do think you need to take a step back & really give her time to settle before trying to interact with her, the tissue trick really does help but it still takes time, let her get used to your voice, talk to her quietly whenever you're around & she'll begin to get used to your presence without feeling threatened by you putting your hands in the cage.
As Lizzy said just spot clean if you have to & leave a full clean for a while longer, I find once a month enough & they can often go even longer if they use a litter tray.
If you really do need to take her out at all see if she'll climb into a ball, cardboard box or tube & put her somewhere she'll feel safe while you do what you need to do.
Some do take much longer than others but give her a little time & patience & I'm sure she'll soon come round.
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Old 04-26-2015, 12:49 PM   #4
herbi7
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Default Re: New hamster is scared, sleeps for ages and when is awake just plays in wheel! Tip

Yup to everything the others have said. Plus her late waking time will creep earlier as she becomes more confident buy it may take weeks. My ham was rehomed 6 months ago now and it took at least 2 months for her to get up before 11
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