Buttson FREAKED OUT!

[melch16244]

I recently got Butt a new house, and a sandbath. He loves digging in his sandbath so I like to hide some sunflower seeds for him to discover.

He was exploring his new house, hiding in its basement and whatnot so I took this opportunity to hide some seeds in his sand. He FREAKED OUT and jumped, caused the whole house to jump with him, then he bolted out and across the bin cage to hide behind his wheel. He then proceeded to attempt to climb up the side of the cage to escape (but didn't).

He's sitting quietly on his wheel for 10 minutes now(doesn't happen often), silently contemplating why his owner is such an idiot.

He's relatively young (just about 2 months) but he seems to dislike me because he doesn't go on my hand a lot anymore.

What should I do now? Should I try the taming process all over again? Should I leave him alone for a day or two? I feel so guilty right now...

Sidenote: He's also just back from a friend's who watched over him for two weeks so that might be a factor? I need to start warming up to him all over again.

[LunaTheHamster1]

I think he maybe just need to get used to you again after being in a different environment.

[Ria P]

As Luna said, he needs time to get used to his environment again.

He's only young and has had a lot of changes to deal with, moving away from his mum and then in with you, he may have been in a pet shop inbetween, then he stayed with your friend and experienced new smells and sounds there, then back to you and a new house and sandbath to get used to.

That is an awful lot to take in for him and hamsters need time as much as you need patience.

I'd leave him alone for a few days so he can settle in, only feed and water him, talk to him gently so he gets used to you again and than take it slow at his pace.

Hamsters are easily spooked at the best of times but get over it so don't worry and don't feel bad.
You obviously care about him very much or you wouldn't be here looking for advice. He doesn't dislike you, he's just a bit of a scared baby right now.

[melch16244]

I realized he's very scared of ruffling sounds. I had some food in my hand to try to see if he would want some. At first he did, but a few times later, I used my thumb to brush the seeds a bit and he heard the rustling sounds of the seeds and jumped. Then I scratched my head and he jumped again! I'm allowing him to get used to his surrounds again but if rustling sounds scare him then I don't know how to calm him. spot cleaning may scare him and such. Darn it Butttttt! :'(