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Old 04-23-2018, 07:32 AM   #11
Bumblebug
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

Thank you everyone, looks like a trip to the pet shop!
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Old 04-23-2018, 07:43 AM   #12
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

I believe the Alaska cage on zooplus is the same price as that p@h one. I know some members have been successful in returning a cage on the basis it isn't suitable.

Wilkos and home bargains I htink do the wooden bendy bridges and a nice range of simple toys..often the simple ones are used most!

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Old 04-23-2018, 08:08 AM   #13
cypher
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

I think the Alaska is on offer at the moment & may even be cheaper than usual,
If you want to buy a larger cage Bumblebug Zooplus is the best place to look, as well as the Alaska the Barney is a very popular cage, a little larger but just a bit more expensive.
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Old 04-23-2018, 08:32 AM   #14
Bumblebug
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

Thanks all. If anyone is on commission with Zooplus, I've just gone a bit crazy and bought half the shop ha ha!
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Old 04-23-2018, 08:39 AM   #15
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

lol, I'm sure he'll love you for it
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Old 04-23-2018, 10:51 AM   #16
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

Hi and welcome to HC! I agree with all that the other members have said. I also think some times the simplest toys are best. My Syrian Eros absolutely loves her many wooden bridges, whimzee alligator chew toy, and a variety of cardboard boxes which she chews and flips open and closed, lol. I think we have all been there purchasing 1/2 of a pet store, lol. Welcome to the club!
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:09 AM   #17
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

Sooooo...Paws has been with us for well over a month now. He's been in his huge Alaska cage for three weeks, with a bigger wheel, lots of bedding, a wooden bridge, a wooden platform with dangly bits, chew toys, cardboard tube, fresh food and water daily, carrot/treat daily. I've been removing the wet bedding every other day and picking out most of the poo, and haven't done a full clean yet. I have given him me-scented tissues, and wash my hands in unfragranced soap before handling him. He will come to the door to get in his ball to run around the room.

...But we're going to have to re-name him Jaws I think. He is super aggressive still. He won't take a treat from my hand without giving it a nip. He will actually jump at the cage towards me with his mouth open and teeth bared! He took a big chunk out of my child's finger when she tried to give him a treat, so now the kids are scared of him. If he doesn't come to the ball, he just sits in the corner shaking and doing the teeth-chattering noise.

I'm still persevering with the calm talking near his cage, and sitting with him in the hope he'll get used to me at least. Please tell me there's no such thing as an untamable hamster!!
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:16 AM   #18
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

Unfortunately not all hamsters can be tamed. I had a female who never became tame and would always bite, given the chance.

I would keep trying though. But being careful, so bites are avoided.

I think it is quite rare for a hamster not to become tame. I have had 6 Syrians and 4 were tame, 1 was totally wild and 1 would nip gently, but would still get on my hand and be stroked.
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:45 AM   #19
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

I am SO sorry that he is still biting and your children are beginning to be fearful of him. Some hams may take quite a long time to tame or may even be untamable, but I would continue to try though. If he bites when you give him treats, I would suggest not trying to hand feed him until he stops biting for a while. Therefore, he won't associate your hands with food. Lots of hams learn to trust humans by the owner hand feeding them, and they do not show the desiring to nip or bite. However, in your instance, I would avoid it for now at least. Although it is natural to be cautious and feel concerned about interacting with him due to his biting, hamsters can sense the fear and it will create more fear in them resulting in them being more prone to biting as self defense. Thus, I would do as you have been doing, taking things extremely slowly and at his pace, and try your best to be optimistic and as fearless as possible. It might also be advisable to have your children not physically interact with him until he shows signs of being more receptive to handling by you. Continue the tissue trick and talking, do not mess with his excess poos unless they are become overwhelming (they eat their poos so may become extra territorial if they feel that you are taking them all away), and add a few extra hiding places for him to feel extra secure. Keep all of your taming sessions very short until he is enjoying them. I would also try to have him continue to have his taming sessions outside of his cage and in a secure, hamster-safe place such as a playpen or tub with drain covered since some hamsters are more territorial in their cages. I would put him in his ball or a container to transport him and try not to touch him much in his cage until he is ready for that next stage. Once tame, hamsters can be really sweet, loving pets that enjoy interacting with their human parents. I will be wishing you all the very best of luck, and I hope that taming will get better soon with patience and time. If he never enjoys being touched or interacted with, I am sure he will be a lovely watch-only pet. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Please keep us updated on his progress, too.
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Last edited by dreamtree1234; 05-21-2018 at 11:57 AM.
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Old 05-21-2018, 02:14 PM   #20
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Default Re: New to hamster-ing!

Oh this sounds just like Ed our Syrian girl. I wouldn't have thought it possible until we got Ed but she was pretty un-tameable. Inside and outside the cage she would bite, make an almost hissing sound and teeth chatter.

We had kept hamsters before and so it was a bit of a shock. In contrast the other hamster we had at the time Cat was the tamest thing you could meet - he would ride around sleeping in the crook of my hubbys shoulder and escaped from his cage one day only to come bumbling out to try and crawl up his leg! So we were pretty sure it was a case of her being unsocial and not us!

In the end we opted for a large cage for her, lots of enrichment and places to hide from us. We really kept cleaning to a minimum - only spot cleaning every 3-4 days and full cleaning once in 3 months. This kept her stress levels down and the honest truth was she was never tamed but she was healthy and had what she needed. I couldn't see the point of making her suffer a taming process that was really impacting on her. Not ideal but you can never tell the hammy you will end up with!

Interestingly though despite never having a hamster quite as unsociable as Ed we have had two others who weren't as keen and both were also girls... Boy hamsters are so much more laid back!
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