Hit a standstill

[cypher]

Being nervous in a bigger space at play time is perfectly natural & understandable especially if she's still nervous & not totally tame or comfortable being handled yet, a cage is very different to a play area & can be made to feel a lot more secure for a shy ham while still having plenty of space to dig or explore so I wouldn't rule out a larger cage for her.

[Fluffagrams]

Originally Posted by cypher

Being nervous in a bigger space at play time is perfectly natural & understandable especially if she's still nervous & not totally tame or comfortable being handled yet, a cage is very different to a play area & can be made to feel a lot more secure for a shy ham while still having plenty of space to dig or explore so I wouldn't rule out a larger cage for her.

I'm going to have to get her a new cage as the plastic on hers is starting to split so I'll be getting something a bit bigger than the Mini Duna.

After her grumpy episode, I gave her a bit of space and just left her alone but went back to doing as much as she was happy with the following evening. She was out so I put my hand in her cage for her to sniff. She was happy enough with that so I left it there for a while and she came up to me and sniffed me a few more times, once standing up on her hind legs to look around whilst leaning on the back of my hand. I didn't want to push her too much so left it at that. However she didn't run away and she didn't bite so that means something I guess.

[racinghamster]

May will have her own agenda so your doing the right thing and listening to her body language fluff. A Zoozone 1 would be a nice upgrade for her (same as the Duna only a bit bigger!) or something with narrow bars like the Kios. Either of these would be a nice home for her. x

[Fluffagrams]

Originally Posted by cypher

Mine never has commercial treats but responds really well to all kinds of small seeds so you may well have more success offering those in your hands, I think maybe you got lucky with Meat, such a laid back guy! Give May time & she'll come out of her shell at her own pace.

Today I decided that I'd offer May a few treats so she (hopefully!) gets used to the idea that I am associated with good things and for a hamster that has previously ignored treats or thrown them away, she was quite excited when offered sunflower seeds. She'd take it off me and would look around expectantly for more.

[Thin Lizzy]

This is good that she took sunflower seeds from you.
Keep at it, you will get there.

[cypher]

It sounds as though May is doing much better again, I think you're doing the right thing, giving her a bit of space & taking it slow. Pet shop Chinese can be very slow to come out of their shells but keep this up & I'm sure the two of you will form a real bond.