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Old 11-15-2019, 03:03 PM   #1
mazzypan
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Default Stressed hammie

Hi everyone!
I haven’t posted on here for a while, I’ve been so busy with school. I got my first hamster Arthur in April and he’s doing AMAZING. He’s the most lovely, intelligent hamster and I adore him, he’s so so happy.
Last week, on a trip with my mum to pets at home to buy some sand and treats for Arthur, I spotted a long haired white Syrian. I thought he was gorgeous and just out of curiosity I asked a member of staff about him since I’d never seen a long haired hamster at my local shop before. Then, as most (uneducated, plain cruel) pet shop staff are, she straight away deterred me from having any interest in him. Well, attempted. She told me he bit a member of staff once, so no one wants to buy him since he’s SO aggressive. She told us he’d been there way longer than the other hamsters because of this. At this point I knew I couldn’t just leave there wondering what might happen since I highly doubt anyone would buy him if it weren’t me. So I immediately bought the largest cage out of all the horrendous cages in there, bought a large wheel, extra bedding and a bunch of chews/sand bath/hideouts etc.
For the first couple of days he wasn’t flinchy at all or scared of noises or movement. However, I offered him a blueberry and he paused, then kind of went into psycho mode and ran all around, climbed the bars, ran on the wheel then stopped. I noticed he also ran on his wheel different to my other hamster, it just seemed kind of aggressively fast. And he doesn’t seem to eat food other than his main Harry hamster mix. That’s when I started searching stress in hamsters. Then, last night and this morning, he was chewing this large cardboard tube thing I have for him for AGES.
I’m pretty sure these are signs of stress. I feel so sorry for the poor guy, he also seems to never explore parts of his cage and just sticks in the corner next to his wheel or in the tube when he sleeps. He was so stressed in the shop. His whole life so far has just been constant stress and neglect.
I was wondering if anyone has any advice? Im assuming since I’ve given him all I can I’ll just have to wait it out and see how it goes. I’ve researched cage rage but he doesn’t seem really aggressive (though I haven’t tried feeding him since the blueberry incident) , and doesn’t seem to climb the bars too much or pace.
Thank you for reading and for any advice.
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Old 11-15-2019, 03:15 PM   #2
mazzypan
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

https://imgur.com/gallery/leyjJDL
This is him, the beautiful Edward
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Old 11-16-2019, 03:58 AM   #3
Charlie Dunn
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

Aww Edward is a beauty - I can see why you had to rescue him. He has not been with you long - it is still very early days. He has to adjust from being in the pet shop and all that entails to moving to your loving home. He has a lot to get used to so he will be scared and unsettled. Take it slowly and I’m sure you will get there with him. X
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Old 11-16-2019, 01:23 PM   #4
Ria P
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

He is absolutely beautiful but maybe he doesn't like blueberries. He's probably never seen one before and took fright.
First time i gave my robo porridge he jumped into it and then into the sand so spent the next half hour washing instead of eating.
All hamsters get in the pet shops is muesli with the odd carrot thrown in. As long as he eats his HH i wouldn't worry but i'd leave a small piece of cucumber or a basil or spinach leaf or something in his cage somewhere and he may have a sniff and realize that its edible and won't attack him.

I think that he is still settling in and needs to learn that he is in a safe place now and well cared for. It will sink in eventually and something you can give him to sink his teeth into is a Whimzee dog chew which should be more satisfying than cardboard. Hamsters love Whimzees.
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Old 11-16-2019, 07:51 PM   #5
Thin Lizzy
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

Good on you for ignoring the assistant and giving beautiful Edward a forever home.
He's going to need time to settle in to his amazing home, also get used to your voice and scent. The cardboard tube is great for keeping him entertained and chewing it is normal. Be sure to praise him and also stuff some unscented toilet paper up your sleeves and leave fora couple of hours the place in his cage, this will get him use to your scent. Definitely recommend a whimzee.
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Old 11-18-2019, 01:22 AM   #6
Ithuviel
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

How is the hamster doing now? I would love to know more about him
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Old 11-18-2019, 03:57 PM   #7
Otaku
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy View Post
Definitely recommend a whimzee.
I apologise for my ignorance, but what is a whimzee? I tried searching for it and the search results are for what appear to be organic or vegetarian dog treats. Is this right?
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Old 11-18-2019, 04:06 PM   #8
Ria P
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

Quote:
Originally Posted by Otaku View Post
I apologise for my ignorance, but what is a whimzee? I tried searching for it and the search results are for what appear to be organic or vegetarian dog treats. Is this right?
Yes, they are dog treats and come in different shapes and sizes. I buy the XS or S size, usually the toothbrushes but you can get other shapes. Here's a photo.
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Old 11-18-2019, 04:35 PM   #9
mazzypan
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

Thank you all so much for your replies.
Edward seems less crazy hyper stressed these past two days, but he’s now doing a lot of bar climbing and starts bar chewing when he wakes up at around 7pm (then he sleeps and wakes up fully as I go to sleep). Today I took him out for the first time though, and he did great. He eventually tried chewing the bars of the pen, but he did take food out of the palm of my hand whilst sat on it which was great. He doesn’t seem at all wary of me. He also has an annoying piece of bedding stuck to his fluffy bum that I’m not risking trying to take off but it’s so tempting haha.
Anyway, I guess we’ll have to see how he gets on the next days/weeks. I just wish I could read my hammie’s minds. They’re fascinating and it’s so cute how his personality is so different to my other hamster. I hope he settles, finally makes a nest (rather than messing up his entire cage every night sleeping in different places lol) and gets more comfortable with me.
Edward last night:
https://imgur.com/gallery/JqsDKSr
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Old 11-19-2019, 09:08 AM   #10
Ria P
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Default Re: Stressed hammie

Aww, he is so cute! That's really good and trusting to sit in your hand and eat considering that he has only been with you a short time.
Regarding bar chewing: what kind of cage is he in?
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