Scared Hamster

[qekkon]

It has been 8 days from my last post/introduction but I kind of need your help again
Basically, Cesare (Syrian Hamster) was doing fine in the begging, and was warming up to me, he even started to climb up my arms;
so yesterday, I wanted to try to put him kind of away from his cage just to see if he was okay with it, and he seemed fine in the begging, he climbed all the way up to my half arm, and then, he ran off, so I panicked
and basically I tried to get him back in his cage without trying to cause him any harm or making him bite me, in the end he didn't bite me, and I did put him back in his cage, even though it was hard because he was running everywhere and seemed hella scared.
Today, we bought him an IKEA box, where I did his new cage, but since I knew yesterday was stressful for him, I didn't want to pick him up while he wasn't conscious, and waited until he woke up.
He didn't woke up until after midnight, in the exact moment when I left the room. When I came back and I saw him awake, I approached him slowly and offered a strawberry, he didn't take it. Which is weird since he always takes what I offer him. He kept being paralyzed and looking at me. In the end I gave up and went away letting the strawberry inside his cage.
After a while he ate the strawberry and went back in his little house, "hissing" or something like that? I'm not sure, he was making noises with his nose, but I wasn't sure.
Anyway, he didn't come out of his house, and since it was being late I kind of understood he was being afraid.
So I turned the lights off, after some minutes he was out and running in his wheel.
Yet, his cage is near the door, and I had to pass from there, when I did it, he jumped out of the wheel really fast making the cage shaking, and it was weird because he usually don't do that. (Usually he just stops running, once I'm out he runs again.) It's like he is terrified of me.
I'm actually worried I can't tame him after this episode

I'm letting him in his old cage for tonight as I don't want to make him even more afraid of me, and I won't approach him at all for tonight.

[mekacrew]

maybe he thinks ur a demon or something...but listen when u first buy it don't touch it just let 2 days goes by and let him know the environment,and if its been a while maybe coz ur doing something wrong with him and u may think its right ,,look try to put treats in ur hands and let him eat from it ,pick him up from underneath not lik a claw way and try to patting him and brush his furry back at least that's what i know ....or buy another one

[qekkon]

Originally Posted by mekacrew

maybe he thinks ur a demon or something...but listen when u first buy it don't touch it just let 2 days goes by and let him know the environment,and if its been a while maybe coz ur doing something wrong with him and u may think its right ,,look try to put treats in ur hands and let him eat from it ,pick him up from underneath not lik a claw way and try to patting him and brush his furry back at least that's what i know ....or buy another one

I did all the things you listed when I bought him. And he was warming up to me, but then that happened and now he's just petrified when he sees me.
The cage he is now is too small for a Syrian, that's why I bought the IKEA box, and planned on trasfering him today, but after that I'm not sure it's the best option to pick him up.

[Aimeehammy]

When placing him in the new cage you could get a little box or basket and see if he climbs in, my hamster loves climbing into things luckily as she hates being picked up!

[qekkon]

Originally Posted by Aimeehammy

When placing him in the new cage you could get a little box or basket and see if he climbs in, my hamster loves climbing into things luckily as she hates being picked up!

Oh! That's a nice thing to try!
I will try once he let me put him in his new cage!

[Aimeehammy]

Just grab a little box and let him climb in and transfer to the new cage, then once hes settled in there you can try to pick him up again as he may be territorial in his current cage due to space but a bigger cage may stop that behaviour with the box you could let him climb in and then place him on your stomach or something and give him a few strokes, see how he does with that! My hamster wouldnt let me near her at first but i once placed her in the bath tub whilst cleaning her cage and she let me stroke her! Ever since shes been completely fine, just doesnt like me picking her up even from the bottom, she only climbs on me on her own terms. Good luck with your new hammy!

[mekacrew]

get him a wire cage big one and put alot of toys and a big wheel because its syrian and try to buy a female for him maybe that will relax because it will be signs for a happy hamster like when u see him digging and looking for hide treats..

[cypher]

It sounds as though he did have quite a scare so I would let him settle for a couple of days before trying to get him out or move him to his new cage after that as the move, even a good move, is stressful for them.
Set backs like this do happen sometimes but he'll come round with a little time.
When you get him out again use a cardboard tube (with your hand over one end to block it) a large mug, box or anything he's happy to climb into to transport him & only have him out for out of cage time in a safe area, play pen, bath tub etc where you know he can't escape so neither of you need to get stressed like that again!

[Jennie F]

As Cypher said, set backs happen but dont write off your hamster just yet. Something may have spooked him and caused him to act that way. Just start from the beginning again making baby steps at his pace. As someone else mentionned, not all hammys like to be picked up, so maybe try getting him in a ball to move him around from one place to another. That works for my little girl. I've had Khali since the end of January and the first few days she was really confident, then we took a step back when she didnt want to know. She is definately a lot better and friendlier now with time and patience. I can feed her treats with the door open, she comes running from wherever she is when I put the ball to the cage to get her out and she loves playing in her new trixie wheel in the playpen. I can stroke her most times (when she actually sits still that is) and recently I have been putting the ball in my lap and she potters about on my knee for a little while before i get her back in the ball when she tries to go the wrong way, then i start again and do it a few times. Just keep trying and have patience with the little guy, it will pay off. Go at hammys pace instead of yours. Personally, I would let him settle down for a few days before stressing him again with the new cage. When he is calmer and acting more normal, then try and transfer him and leave him alone ( apart from feeding and water changes) for a few days to get his bearings again.

Definately dont give up or "go and get another one" or get him a female, as then you'll have a whole new set of problems

[Cinnamon Bear]

Is your hammy's cage on the floor or on some kind of table? That could be stressing him, when people come around the corner and he can feel the vibe on the floor?