Sergeant Squeak seems very scared

Ewokinvasion · 05-09-2009, 01:18 PM

9 week old Sergeant Squeak will stay in corners for hours on end without moving at all. His eyes are open and he is wide awake. Every sound or movement made in the room terrifies him and he will jump a mile. Can someone let me know if he is just settling in or if people have had similiar experiences?

Thanks.

souffle · 05-09-2009, 01:50 PM

How long have you had him Ewok? It can take them some time to settle and get used to normal household noises. If he is kept in a busy area of the house it may be worth moving him somewhere quieter for a while to let him settle and then gradually introduce him to louder areas and handling etc. It is a natural response for them to freeze when they see something scarey or hear a strange noise and would protect them from predators in the wild. He is likely out and about and running around when all is quiet and dark and you are in bed!
Pet shop hamsters have never experienced household noises ever before so are bound to be frightened at first. We make a point of getting our babies used to noises like the hoover and TV before they leave us so they are not scared so much in a new home.
Given time and patience I'm sure he will soon come round.

Ewokinvasion · 05-09-2009, 02:59 PM

Thanks for your response Souffle.

I have only had him/her a week and I have a feeling I am being too cautious and caring! I have cleaned him out a couple of times and changed his bedding, would this be a source of the problem? Also it seems now even when we talk to him/her that he stays still and is extremely scared of anything we do.

Do you think I just need to let Sgt. Squeak settle?

thanks.

souffle · 05-10-2009, 02:55 PM

That is too much cleaning Ewok. Hamsters need to feel their own scent around them and he will just have got things arranged then you clean him. A youngster only needs cleaned about once a fortnight with potty corner spot cleans every two days or so. When you clean him keep some of the bedding and put it back in to keep his scent. Also put some ripped tissue with your scent on it in with his bedding so he gets used to your scent. Have you managed to handle him at all yet? If you can get him used to handling he will likely soon become more settled.

Ewokinvasion · 05-10-2009, 03:03 PM

Haven't tried handling, I thought I should let him settle first. Do you think the answer is just to leave him for a bit to let him adjust? It seems now when he wakes up he is extremely cautious then he just snaps out of it and is running all over the place!

souffle · 05-10-2009, 03:27 PM

It sounds as if he starting to relax now. I think you need to start handling now. Have a look on the WIKI at our taming tips article and see how it goes. I am sure you will find him quite easy to tame. Be confident and he will sense this.