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Old 05-18-2016, 12:28 PM   #1
linneissen
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Default New hamster need help only had for 2 days

So I've bought a new hamster 2 days ago and I am really anxious about my new hamster Coffee. I was replacing some things in his cage. He got really scared and looked up at me and shaked. He took a treat from me before so I didnt think she could get that scared. But anyways he is now sitting in the corner hiding and trying to get out...should I leave him alone some days or should I give him a treat when he come out so he wouldnt be so scared?❤️
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Last edited by linneissen; 05-18-2016 at 01:09 PM.
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Old 05-18-2016, 12:37 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: New hamster need help only had for 2 days

Hi there and welcome! They usually need 2 or 3 days without being disturbed to settle in You probably scared her a bit by doing things in her cage. Maybe just leave her to settle for another few days now before doing anything in the cage, or changing anything - just put food and water out. Everything is strange and unfamiliar at first in their environment and they don't see well so they use scent to find their way around. She'll be scent marking everything to work out where everything is and so it feels familiar, so changing things can confuse her.

You could try the tissue trick which can help them get used to your scent as well, so taming is easier when she's ready and settled a bit. Put a few sheets of plain white toilet paper up your sleeve for a few hours, then tear it into maybe 5 or 6 strips lengthwise and put a big pile of the paper in her cage (adding this is ok lol). You should gradually see the pile of paper go down as she will pouch some and take it to build up her nest, so she'll have your scent in her nest.

The main thing is - don't clean anything for the first couple of weeks. If it starts to get a bit smelly you could spot clean the wee area by removing a handful of substrate and adding a new handful, but mix it in with the old so it still smells familiar. One tip i found helpful was to put a potty litter tray in the wee corner - they tend to use them and then the rest of the cage needs cleaning less often. But maybe wait a couple of weeks now before adding anything else.

She just needs a bit of time to settle in. She's probably just a baby and a bit scared. It's really hard when you want to start handling them, to leave them alone, but patience is the key

Meanwhile you could talk gently to her through the cage so she gets familiar with your voice, and offer the odd treat through the bars. So she gets used to your presence. Then you can move on to offering a treat on the palm of your hand with your hand just inside the cage door and see if she walks onto your hand to take it. Slowly and steadily. In a couple of weeks she'll probably be much more lively and wanting to come out.

They can get very freaked by having a hand in the cage - ours used to run at your hand and see you off lol. So best to do any spot cleaning when she's asleep.

Do you have a cage or a tank? Different tips maybe for treat offering with a tank.
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Old 05-18-2016, 01:08 PM   #3
linneissen
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Default Re: New hamster need help only had for 2 days

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Hi there and welcome! They usually need 2 or 3 days without being disturbed to settle in You probably scared her a bit by doing things in her cage. Maybe just leave her to settle for another few days now before doing anything in the cage, or changing anything - just put food and water out. Everything is strange and unfamiliar at first in their environment and they don't see well so they use scent to find their way around. She'll be scent marking everything to work out where everything is and so it feels familiar, so changing things can confuse her.

You could try the tissue trick which can help them get used to your scent as well, so taming is easier when she's ready and settled a bit. Put a few sheets of plain white toilet paper up your sleeve for a few hours, then tear it into maybe 5 or 6 strips lengthwise and put a big pile of the paper in her cage (adding this is ok lol). You should gradually see the pile of paper go down as she will pouch some and take it to build up her nest, so she'll have your scent in her nest.

The main thing is - don't clean anything for the first couple of weeks. If it starts to get a bit smelly you could spot clean the wee area by removing a handful of substrate and adding a new handful, but mix it in with the old so it still smells familiar. One tip i found helpful was to put a potty litter tray in the wee corner - they tend to use them and then the rest of the cage needs cleaning less often. But maybe wait a couple of weeks now before adding anything else.

She just needs a bit of time to settle in. She's probably just a baby and a bit scared. It's really hard when you want to start handling them, to leave them alone, but patience is the key

Meanwhile you could talk gently to her through the cage so she gets familiar with your voice, and offer the odd treat through the bars. So she gets used to your presence. Then you can move on to offering a treat on the palm of your hand with your hand just inside the cage door and see if she walks onto your hand to take it. Slowly and steadily. In a couple of weeks she'll probably be much more lively and wanting to come out.

They can get very freaked by having a hand in the cage - ours used to run at your hand and see you off lol. So best to do any spot cleaning when she's asleep.

Do you have a cage or a tank? Different tips maybe for treat offering with a tank.
Thx for the tips! Yes I have the IKEA detolf. I think its even more scary for him when I have to put down my hand from above. I'll leave her alone for about a week and in the meantime do the tiasue trick, thank you!❤️
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Old 05-18-2016, 01:53 PM   #4
CharlieB
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Default Re: New hamster need help only had for 2 days

He was probably just a little startled. It may be an idea to leave him to settle in his cage for a few days if he is nervy and then start talking to him when you are next to the cage so he can get used to your voice. Does he have any toys he can hide in? I find these are good for my anxious hammies whilst they get used to a new environment. Its also possible he could be scared of the amount of space he now has as for some it can be a big change and a bit unsettling going into a big cage like a Detolf.
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Old 05-18-2016, 01:57 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: New hamster need help only had for 2 days

Does he have places to hide and a house in there? They need somewhere dark to sleep in and build a nest, so a good sized house could be an idea if he only has a small one. An upturned shoe box with a door cut in works well - so it's open underneath (they like burrowing down sometimes). I think adding something like that would be a plus rather than a stress, as long as you didn't have to move anything else to do it!
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Old 05-19-2016, 01:11 AM   #6
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Default Re: New hamster need help only had for 2 days

A detolf is great! Lots of room but it might take him some time to adjust if he's been in a little tank or breeding bin.
Hamsters, as you know from what you said, are naturally wary of things coming down from above them. To help him feel safe consider covering part of the top with something darkish-- making sure he has adequate ventilation. Some people cover a corner too (on the outside) to help hammie have a place they feel safer.
Let us know how you get on!
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Old 05-19-2016, 05:58 AM   #7
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Default Re: New hamster need help only had for 2 days

With a Detolf, you could put your hand in further away from your hamster then move it towards your hamster so it would be less scary than coming down near the hamster or put your hand in further away and let the hamster come to you to take a treat from your fingers or on your hand.
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