Trouble getting hamster out of cage

[user38725]

So basically when I want to get Ziggy out of his cage( To clean it or to put him in a playpen) I would use a mug with some food in it, he’d go in, I cover the entrance and lift him into the travel cage( I would try to pick him up but I’m having a little trouble with that now cause it’s a really awkward angle and I’m still trying to get him to let me pick him up and scince I can’t get him in the playpen...) but he is evolving! He only puts his head into the mug now, he nearly escaped when I tried to get him out today. I tried again and it was even harder, he kept quickly going in and out to get the food.
So basically I need help and I don’t know what to do. His cage will really need a clean soon.

[mangoandmimi]

He’s probably realised it’s the transportation mug and doesn’t want to go in it anymore - quite common! Is there nothing already in the cage you can pick up with him inside it? A mug for getting a Syrian out sounds tricky anyway. Maybe try a tube or a house/box.

Easy solution though if you’re worried about a cleanout is taking the whole top half of the cage off and putting the base in the playpen, then let him climb out himself.

[Sasha04]

Mangoandmimi gave great advice! Hope all goes well!

[user38725]

Okay thanks for the advice, I’ll try something a bit bigger tonight.

[user38725]

Mission complete: hamster successfully removed from the cage! I used a cleaned out hamster sand tub.

[Sasha04]

That’s great!