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Old 03-31-2019, 11:58 AM   #1
anxiouspanda
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
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Default Help with strange behaviour in new hamster

Hi. I recently got a syrian hamster and she is showing some strange behaviours. I was hoping to get some help understanding her and information on how i can help her. She is only young, 8 weeks ish and I've only had her for 4 days now.

Firstly she seems very scared of everything and she even scares herself sometimes and she will jump and become really skittish but she is really curious of her surroundings and will investigate anything. ie. I put her ball in her cage and she got in straight away. But she is very jumpy at even small sound.

She is sleeping for about 10-12 hours a day (i know they're nocturnal but I've read that they usually get around 8 hours sleep a day).

We haven't been able to handle her yet due to her being so skittish and scared. I know that they have to be tamed and become used to being handled but having had hamsters in the past I have never seen this kind of behaviour before and I have worried she is sick or something.

She is eating, drinking and pooping normally. Her fur, eyes, nose and ears all look normal too.

I would like to be able to hold her but this isn't the most important thing to me at all. I want her to be happy and healthy.

Any information would be great and all questions welcome.

Jess
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Old 03-31-2019, 05:09 PM   #2
RoyalHam
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Default Re: Help with strange behaviour in new hamster

I'm no expert but this doesn't sound out of the ordinary. Some hamsters are more skittish than others, and will react more to unexpected noises. Moving from one environment to a new one is very stressful on hamsters, which would make her even more afraid. It's usually recommended that you give your hamster a few days at least after moving them where they are left alone and you don't attempt to handle them, so they can feel secure in their new home. Make sure she has hides, and don't try to over clean or poke around in her nests at all. Once she's settled down a little more, then you can very slowly start taming. Use the ball to bring her out of the cage when you start, don't pick her up from above.
The sleep could be less than you think as well. My hams usually come out during the day for short periods to drink, snack, take a short run. If you're out during the day you may not be there to see it. But she may also just be a little stressed and hiding in her nest where she feels safe rather than coming out. Give her time
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Old 04-02-2019, 02:31 AM   #3
Shannonmcn
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Default Re: Help with strange behaviour in new hamster

Very very normal behaviour. If you've had calmer, more easily handled hamsters in the past that was probably the more unusual situation. How often they're handled as babies has a huge effect on how they react to their new home and that varies hugely dependong on where you get them from. She might just be a shy character but they are prey animals and inclined to be easily spooked anyway.

I would just take her on her own terms and go as slowly as she's comfortable with. It's only been four days so its very very early to be expecting her to settle.
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