Doesn't want to play anymore :'(

Lillithyia · 06-10-2016, 04:22 AM

So I have a Russian White Dwarf Hamster (possibly might be a hybrid, but I don't know as I rescued him, rather than bought him from a breeder). He's called Frozone, and is around 5-6 months old now. He took a long time to come around to me, but over the past few weeks we've done nothing but play and he really seemed to love it! He was getting up more often and sleeping less so he could play longer with me!

So anyway.... To my point....

I moved him into a Detolf tank just over a week ago, but ever since I have put him in there, he doesn't want anything to do with me. The tank is a little high for me because I'm short, so I have to get a step ladder, but as soon as I take the lid off the tank, he runs away and hides. I don't know what to do! I've tried offering treats and food, but he won't take anything from me (never has either), I've tried leaving him alone - but it's making me really low.... I just don't know what's changed.... Why doesn't he want to play with me anymore? :'(

xFluffyHamsterx · 06-10-2016, 04:49 AM

He seems to be possibly stressed from the transfer from cage to cage. Maybe leave him for a few more days and give him some space to come around and perhaps he'll be a lot happier and settled and may come to play. I know it must be very upsetting but if you think of how he's feeling it might make you feel abit better to leave him a while longer. From when you said he runs when you open the lid,it seems as if he's frightened and this is probably because he's stressed and a little unsettled. Maybe try the tissue trick too?

Lillithyia · 06-10-2016, 05:24 AM

Yeah it is a lot of change! I can understand that he's stressed.... I'm trying my best to support him however I can. Talk to him when I see him out and about, without trying to physically interact with him - I'm not sure if he listens or if it helps him at all, I just hope it does.

I've never heard of the tissue trick, what is it?

SKB_Hamsters · 06-10-2016, 06:25 AM

The tissue trick involved putting a White unscented tissue up your sleeve and leaving it there for a while so it gets your scent on it and then putting it in your hamsters cage so they get used to or re-used to your scent.

Also if you are removing the detolf lid to get to him from above this can scare a hamster, as his natural instinct are kicking in associating you as a threat (like a bird swoops down to catch it prey), so that might be what's causing him to run. If you put your hand in his cage on the substrate near where he is hiding will he come over to you or will he hide away?

CMB · 06-10-2016, 06:26 AM

You put toilet tissue up your sleeve for a while. Then put it in the hamster's cage so they get used to your scent. You can also tear it into strips so they can build a nest with it.

It is often used with new/nervous hamsters.

Is the lid noisy when being taken off the detolf. If so try to find a way to make it less noisy.

What cage was the hamster in before.? Hands coming from the top often scare a hamster. You could try putting your hand in away from the hamster then move towards them or just let the hamster come towards your hand.

xFluffyHamsterx · 06-10-2016, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillithyia

Yeah it is a lot of change! I can understand that he's stressed.... I'm trying my best to support him however I can. Talk to him when I see him out and about, without trying to physically interact with him - I'm not sure if he listens or if it helps him at all, I just hope it does.

I've never heard of the tissue trick, what is it?

Im a fairly new hamster owner so i might not be 100% accurate of what the cause is but it seems like this. Keep doing that and he should adjust again, baring in mind he's a rescue hammy.

The tissue trick is suited mainly for taming but it cant hurt to try it in this case. Just take some tissueand put it in your sleeve for some time and take it out and put it near his bed. He'll smell you and hopefully realise that you're not a threat to him and so it's safe to come out.

pinkneon · 06-10-2016, 06:26 AM

Put a tissue up your sleeve for a few hours then put it in the cage for him to nest in - it will have your scent on for him to get used to!

Just wondering, does he have a lot of places to hide in the cage? Some hamsters don't like too much open space! Also, does the detolf have a lid? My friend had a hamster in there once and the hamster didn't like it until a lid was put on - I think he felt safer with it being enclosed, so didn't feel under threat maybe?

EDIT : Sorry, posted at the same time as others about the tissue trick and didn't realize it does have a lid!

Lillithyia · 06-10-2016, 09:49 AM

The detolf has two half lids and it has a shelf with his wheel on and he sleeps and hides under the shelf. He has lots of tunnels some wood and some plastic, and a hideout in the sand area - down the other end of the tank from the shelf. In his old cage it had 3 levels and 3 side doors - 1 for each level, and also on the top level the whole roof opened up. He never minded the roof disappearing in his old cage. No the detolf lid doesn't make any noise when it's lifted as he runs before it's come completely off the cage - that's probably the noisy bit, but I've never got that far.

velma · 06-10-2016, 10:53 AM

A week isn't that long for him to have settled in if he's had a big change. It's a bit like when you bring them home. They take a while to settle in. He may take another week or two to feel at home so give him a chance. If he looks like it's still not for him, consider dividing the detolf temporarily and move him into one half - he may feel safer contained in a smaller space if that's what he's used to. Let him get used to that and then introduce him to more of the tank. It may work.