First hamster, what should I do?

UrielSasher · 04-06-2020, 10:31 PM

Yesterday I got my first syrian hamster, he should be about 5 weeks old. I have him on a bin cage for now, I plan to upgrade it once he is a bit older, at least after all this COVID-19 problem stops. Also because it's a bit harder to get good hamster supplies here in Mexico. I think he likes the cage but he seems really really shy. He isn't shaky, but he is very careful for everything he does. He goes out every few minutes to eat some food and then goes out into his hideout, sometimes he takes some food with him. Yesterday he was running on his wheel for normal periods of times, now he runs a little, looks out, runs a little more, then he goes back to his hideout. I'm also not sure if he's drinking water, yesterday the water bottle was leaking, and I never saw him drink out of it. Today I changed it for a water bowl, but I also haven't seen him drink. I know this could be normal behavior for a new hamster, but I don't know how to make sure he's doing okay, since he won't let me pick him up or get close to him (Which is normal), but I don't know if he has been like this since he was in the pet store, and I'm worried he could be dehydrated. What advice do you have for me?

cypher · 04-07-2020, 06:12 AM

They really don't drink much so it's likely he is drinking probably just when you're not around, as long as he has water that is within easy reach either the bowl or a bottle that works he should be fine.
If you only got him yesterday he's hardly had time to begin settling in yet so just give him time.

LunaTheHamster1 · 04-07-2020, 08:58 AM

Sounds like he is settling in. They really don't drink a lot. If you were really worried you could give a little cucumber to make sure he is hydrated, but if he is running around collecting and eating food I am sure he is absolutely fine.

peculiarplanets · 04-07-2020, 11:41 AM

Getting a new hamster always leaves you with lots of worries. Last november I got a new hamster for the first time in 4 years and I was also worried about everything. My advice is to let him settle in for a week without disturbing him, only to change his water and give him food. He needs to get used to this new space, the sounds in your house and the smells. Just make sure to check up on him while he's awake and talk lots to him to get him used to your voice. My Syrian female barely showed her face the first two weeks. She was very shy and almost always was hiding. And now she's super active! They just need time to get out of their shell.