High levels of anxiety.

[lozangelol]

Hi! We recently adopted a new Syrian (Peggy) after our previous boy (Angus) passed, she had previously been with a small child who brought her back after a day because they no longer wanted her. According to the staff we talked to she'd chewed out of the cage in a night, they found all sorts in the cage she was brought back in including rubbers (erasers) so I have no idea what they were doing to her but it's clearly had a big effect.

We originally had her in a Skyline Leon with 18" wheel etc, but after she made it quite clear that she was going to chew bars any chance she got, we moved her into a tub cage (80 litres) which has plenty of runaround room as well as hiding spots, we even added a second level for her so she's got the space under there to hide if she wants.

She's been very anxious since she came home with us, we're doing our best to keep her calm and give her the space she needs, she'll take treats from our hands but isn't keen on being held, which is fine but does mean I can't check her over if I'm worried about health.

She seemed to be making some progress over the last few days, but all of a sudden today she started shaking/twitching and jumping at any movement or noise, we stayed still and were quiet until she calmed enough to go back to bed, but we weren't being very noisy in the first place, and the only movement had been when we noticed she was upset, before that we'd just been sat on the sofa.

This is the first time she's shaken in this way, it was almost like a panic attack, I thought at first she was choking.

We're giving her space and encouraging her with treats when she does welcome interaction, she's eating, drinking and running perfectly fine, even taking time to have a sand bath every day.

I'm basically wondering if there's anything else that could be causing this, I think a lot of her behaviour stems from whatever happened over the day she was with the other family (a single day that has had this much effect on her, I can't even imagine what they were doing!), so we're just trying to give her space and show her not all humans are awful.

Also anything additional we can do to calm her further/help her settle?

I'm sorry if this is rambling/nonsensical! I'm just worried about the little-un.

A picture of Peggy the day we got her as a prize for getting to the end of this!

[Ria P]

Peggy is a lovely looking hamster and deep down must be so happy that you took her in, she just doesn't know it yet.

Hamsters are quite easily spooked at the best of times as they can't see very well but have excellent hearing and seem to perceive things differently from us. Peggy may still be settling in. She had to cope with a lot of changes in her life already. Shop - first family - shop - your family - bar cage - tub cage.

You could put some tissue up your sleeve for a few hours and then tear it into strips and leave it in Peggy's cage so she gets familiar with your smell.
It can take weeks and sometimes months (especially adopted hamsters with unknown history) for a hamster to realize that these humans are not a threat and mean well but it will eventually sink in.

I think that you are doing the right things anyway. Keep talking to her and keep offering her treats from your hands. It's great that she already trusts you enough to do that. It took my adopted Robo around four months of running away and then intensive sniffing of my hand before he picked up the courage to sit on my hand.

You could try and take her out of her cage in a mug or jug (tempt her in with a treat if needed) to see how she behaves out of her cage. You'll need a playpen or safe area.

Give her chews and hamsters really like a Whimzee dog chew and make cardboard toys for her to keep her entertained. Plenty of ideas on youtube.

It is so worth the effort and endless patience to see an unsettled hamster happy in the end. You'll see.

[Shadow Cat]

Sweet! I got a new hamster a couple of months ago and names her Peggy too and she doesn't look dissimilar to your Peggy! Plus which my dog's name is Angus so you have impeccable pet naming skills!

I don't have much advice to offer but I wish you luck and hope your little lady settles in soon.