Re: Sexually Frustrated Male Hamster?!?

Sams Mum · 01-10-2010, 09:10 AM

Hi all,

I don't think Sam is happy at the moment, I think he badly wants to escape from his cage and get a girlfriend. He is biting the cage bars A LOT more and acting a bit frantic, trying to climb the bars and reach where he knows the door is. His testicles are also more prominent than they used to be. I've had him since last April and he was a rescue so I don't know his age. My friend suggested a little soft toy for "company" for him (!) but where could I get one that would be safe if he destroyed it and ingested some of the filling? I don't want to breed hamsters and I wouldn't want to put him through a castration operation and also can't afford it. Can anyone help me out here?

By the way, I might have been feeding him too many mealworms and seeds, which are both high in protein. I'm wondering if he has too high levels of protein in his system which have caused his testosterone levels to go up, but this is only a theory.

Many thanks,

Sams Mum

souffle · 01-10-2010, 12:33 PM

Unless you have a female hamster that he can smell it is not sexual frustration. Our males are in the same room as the females and it makes no difference to their development or behavior.
All young adults develop more pronounced testicles as they mature. Hamsters cannot be neutered as the size of the testicles would mean that an operation would almost certainly kill them due to blood loss and the size of the wound.
A soft toy would not satisfy any interest he may have as it just would not smell right or act right. Don't give him anything like that as he would possibly chew it and if he ate any it could block his bowel and cause major problems.
I doubt you are feeding him too much protein as he is a growing lad and will need it.
I think the behaviour seems typical of a young hamster who is now settled and getting a little bored.
Try giving him more things to do. Let him stair climb. Make tunnels and bumps on a bed with pillows and duvets so he can explore and scramble. Make obstacle courses and if you have a safe room let him free run. Handle him a lot. Try and not oblidge everytime he begs attention as he will train you to get him out all the time.
Offer part cracked nuts in shells and cardboard boxes for him to trash.
Bar chewing is common at this age as they are like children and full of youthful exhuberance
Testosterone levels should be unaffected by the protein level so don't worry about that. I expect you have the heating on more in this cold weather so that will be why his testicles appear more prominant.
Hope that helps. He will calm down so don't worry.

Sams Mum · 01-10-2010, 12:54 PM

Wow Souffle! You know your stuff! Thank you, what you have said has been extremely helpful.

Just one thing, I have a female chinchilla in the same room as him. She has not been speyed. Would he be able to smell her or would it need to be a female hamster that would make the difference?

He will come out tonight for a run around in my safe area for him (my hallway). I will also do that more often.

As for the handling, I have never handled him

I am afraid of his teeth

But I want to learn to handle him and for him to learn to be handled. Any pointers would be greatfully received!

Thanks again,

Sams Mum

Flissy · 01-10-2010, 12:58 PM

I don't think the smell of a female chinchilla would affect him as its a different species but could be wrong!

If you are scared of him biting you could maybe use gloves to handle him until you get your confidence up? And give him lots of treats so that he knows that you are his friend

souffle · 01-10-2010, 01:02 PM

No the chinchilla will not be of interest to him. He needs the smell of a female hamster with her specific pheromones.
Sam will be much happier if you handle him and you will both gain lots of pleasure from the experience. Here is a link to our taming tips:

Custard Hamstery

Start as if he was a brand new baby and work from there. Don't be afraid as he will sense this. He does not sound like a biter. He sounds like a hammy just begging to be hugged

Get in a dry bath and let him walk all over you and pick him up and lay him down. Do it like holding a computer mouse with his tail as the cable. He cannot bite you this way. Do lift and immediatly lay down again till he is used to being picked up.
Come on Sams mum. You can do it

littlepeanut · 01-10-2010, 01:51 PM

Yeah, come on Sams Mum!!!!

Into that bath! <whoops and cheers in an encouraging way!>

Sams Mum · 01-10-2010, 02:22 PM

Right on cue, Sam woke up! We have just had about 45mins playtime in the hallway together and he is such a cute, adorable little man! Haven't read the taming tips yet as haven't had time, but will do and will keep coming on here for advice! Playtime went well though; he even tried climbing onto my lap! I helped him up! No bites either!

Thanks Souffle, Flissy and LittlePeanut!

Sams Mum x

souffle · 01-10-2010, 02:40 PM

Excellent news sams mum. I don't think he needs much taming!!

Sams Mum · 01-14-2010, 07:26 PM

Hi again,

Is it also normal at this stage of physical development for Sam's tail to lengthen? I hardly noticed one before, just a teeny "bump." Now it is a definite little tail. He also seems to have more definition around the waist, less like a little golf ball now! I thought he had lost weight but I weighed him and he hasn't.

Many thanks,

Sam's Mum

souffle · 01-15-2010, 04:38 AM

I've never really noticed the tail lengthen myself. They sometimes look like little rabbit tails and go white like a cotton bud!! Do you have any more pics of him from the top?