New Hamster Behavior- Please Help!

[Petunia123]

Hi Friends, I'm a new hamster mom and have had my hamster, Petunia, for a week as of yesterday.

Petunia has become use to me having my hand in her cage. Occasionally she will take treats from my hand and will let me pet her. Last night I had my hand in her cage, I was on the other side of her cage, and for some reason she got spooked and ended up jumping out of her cage. I was able to capture Petunia using the mug method and return her back to her cage. However, since then Petunia has been using her wheel less, climbing her cage, and biting the bars. Petunia usually loves to run on her wheel, and she has never climbed her cage or bitten her bars before. I know that the experience must have stressed her out a great deal, as I was stressed myself.

Tonight she exhibited the same behaviors: bar biting and cage climbing.

Will she stop cage climbing and bar biting eventually? I'm very worried that she's stressed out and I am not sure what to do. I appreciate any and all advice, thank you in advance!

[Ria P]

It could the very opposite of what you think.

Petunia (love the name) got a taste of freedom and wants more. Maybe she chews the bars because she wants out and needs out of cage time.

You could take her out in a mug and let her out in a play pen or in the bath tub, somewhere safe and hamster proof.
It would also be a good opportunity for taming and bonding sessions. You could sit in a play pen or bath tub with her and let her sniff at you, run over you etc.

[Petunia123]

Hi Ria,

Thank you for the advice! I have a play pen for her as well as a hamster ball. I've seen lots of YouTube videos about the bath tub bonding and hope to try it this weekend once i'm through with exams.

Thanks again!