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Old 07-22-2020, 07:37 AM   #1
AussieTimbit
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Canada
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Default Hamster won't come out to tame

Hi folks, I'm hoping someone can offer some advice! I got my first hamster two weeks ago, a 4 week old syrian (he's 6 weeks old now). I've read everything I can find and watched countless videos on the best taming processes, my problem is that he doesn't leave his nest if I'm in the room, so I can't ever get started! I've given him plenty of bedding to burrow in, but I guess this may have been a mistake because he's made himself comfortable underneath it and doesn't come up. I know they're nocturnal/crepuscular, I've tried waiting up for him until 4am but no luck. If I go to bed and then come back out a few hours later I MIGHT catch him out, but as soon as he sees me he immediately dives back down to his nest. Is there anything I can do? I've already been giving him tissue with my scent on it. I really don't want to reach in and rip the poor little guy out of his nest, that seems cruel, but I thought things would be improving by now.
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Old 07-23-2020, 12:28 PM   #2
Otaku
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Default Re: Hamster won't come out to tame

Could he be a morning boy? Before I got my boy he was being fed around 9.30am, so he would be awake in the morning up to 11 or even midday, which sucks because I've never been a morning person.
Could it be that your routine and his are at odds?

He is only a baby and everything has changed dramatically in the last 2 weeks. I think it's great that you are considerate of his feelings and encourage that. I think pushing for more will unsettle him further and set you back, but I don't have a great deal of experience with nervous hamsters. My current boy is my first nervous hamster which is unlike my previous furbabies. So, hopefully someone with more experience will be able to offer advice. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you both xo
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Old 07-23-2020, 01:01 PM   #3
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Hamster won't come out to tame

Have you tried switching the lights off and see if he comes out, or switch the lights off and go out the room then go back in and see if he has come out.

It took my Syrian Twinkle a good few weeks to dare to venture out when i was around, he would come out, I would be on the opposite side of the room and he would dive back into his house. I thought I would never see him or be able to bond with him, but around the 6 week mark I think it was, it all started to change. So time and patience might help.
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Old 07-23-2020, 03:04 PM   #4
Teals
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Default Re: Hamster won't come out to tame

Quote:
Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1 View Post
Have you tried switching the lights off and see if he comes out, or switch the lights off and go out the room then go back in and see if he has come out.
I agree with Luna. My hamster only comes out as soon as I turn the lights out.
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Old 07-23-2020, 07:42 PM   #5
AussieTimbit
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Default Re: Hamster won't come out to tame

Thank you all so much for your advice! I've tried turning all the lights out to no success, but he did actually pop out for some water and a snack at noon today! While he's definitely still terrified of me, I think Otaku might be on to something in that his sleep schedule evidently isn't what I expected it to be. I guess I'll just keep waiting it out and see what happens.

I REALLY appreciate hearing your success story Luna, I'm so glad to know that things do sometimes dramatically improve
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Old 07-24-2020, 04:19 PM   #6
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
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Default Re: Hamster won't come out to tame

Hamsters are nosy. You could try rustling the substrate near his nest in the evening then leave a tube with a treat inside there. He may come out to investigate. It took my Robo three months to pluck up the courage to come onto my hand to get some linseeds. Your hamster is very young and should become more confident as he grows. One thing you need in abundance is patience.
You could also get a night vision recording camera to be able to watch your boy's nightly activities in the meantime.
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Old 07-26-2020, 05:14 PM   #7
Otaku
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Default Re: Hamster won't come out to tame

I agree that patience does pay off dividends. My boy isn't keen on handling but he will take food from me, he comes out of his house for fresh foods, and when I do a substrate clean he'll come and have a good look at what I'm up to and sabotage my efforts... sure he's not cuddly and he can still be a bit skittish but generally he is comfortable with me, we just have different routines. The fact that he popped out at noon does make me think that midday may have been feeding time at the shop/breeders/rescue.

No matter what, don't give up hope, he will come around. xo
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