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Old 09-07-2017, 02:58 PM   #1
sniffles
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Join Date: Jul 2017
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Default Lost... and found, but different

So our hamster escaped last night/earlier today. We found him not far from his cage behind the kids bed where he'd found one of my daughter's old dresses and chewed it up to make a nest! (She wasn't very happy!)

Normally during play time he's happy to be scooped up but this time he seemed really determined to stay free and kept trying to run back to the nest he'd made behind the bed.

Once back in the cage we refilled his bowl and he stuffed all of the food into his cheeks (which looked pretty ridiculous), put it in his coconut and then fell asleep on the top shelf of the cage. He's done neither of these things before normally he sleeps and stores food exclusively in his house. Seems like he's trying to say he doesn't want to go back to his house now he's had a taste of life under the bed?! Also when we found his he was making a funny little sneezing/huffing noise (like if you close your mouth and puff air out through your nose) and has continued this. It's like a sound of annoyance! Or could he have a respiratory problem or got dust up his nose from behind the bed? Finally he usually spends his awake time bustiling around his cage, climbing about/burrowing /running on the wheel, but he's quite inactive now just sits on the top shelf preening himself. I would't say he's lethargic or dazed he does respond and move just seems to be becalmed compared to normal. Is he ok, or ill, or just a bit stressed after his escape? He's a Syrian about 5 months old.
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Old 09-07-2017, 03:09 PM   #2
SwaggySyrians
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Default Re: Lost... and found, but different

My sister's hamster went missing earlier today - it was a very similar situation to yours, in that we found him in her drawer making a nest out of her clothes. He made that same noise. It's a sign that he's annoyed and stressed out. When hamsters get that taste of freedom that they might otherwise not get, they will become very irritated when placed back in their cage and will make that 'huffing' noise. He'll very likely be okay and be back to his normal self within a day

How did he manage to escape? Are there any holes or gaps in the bars? My sister's cage came with a crack in it and the company refused to refund it. He eventually found it and chewed around it, so now we've got to cover that up. Hamsters can and will chew through smooth plastic when determined enough!

For now I'd just leave him be, give him a treat or something he enjoys and let him relax. If he's only 5 months old he'll probably be a bit wriggly and vocal anyways. Best luck!
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Old 09-07-2017, 11:15 PM   #3
sniffles
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Default Re: Lost... and found, but different

Haha, ok thanks, that's good to know! I don't think he escaped deliberately, one of the cage doors is slightly loose and he must have just accidentally pushed it open when clambering around his cage. We've put a clip on it now. Glad you found yours too, we were panicking that he'd be lost for days!
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Old 09-07-2017, 11:34 PM   #4
cypher
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Default Re: Lost... and found, but different

I think escaping can be stressful for them even if they enjoy the adventure in a way so I wouldn't worry too much just give him a little time to settle down again & he should be fine.
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