Chinese hamster questions - Page 3

Vectis Hamstery · 11-13-2015, 10:06 AM

Aaaaaw! Hi, Clover. You're such a sweetie.

Is her house enclosed? I found those tended to get really icky with my Chinese. I prefer cardboard boxes with the base cut out (so I can lift it off and get the ham out) and a little doorway cut in.

Pebbles82 · 11-13-2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

I think most Chinese just like to pee in the wheel, sometimes in the nest too, it's just their thing

I'm going to have to go on a pee hunt tomorrow I think & see what mine's been up to... fun!

Lol! too fast for a potty

Ann · 11-13-2015, 10:42 AM

Thanks! She sure is a cute little thing. She did come out to eat after I changed her bedding and she seemed to take her time. Hopefully she's getting a little braver. She pees and poops in her wheel, too. I haven't washed it since I don't want to disturb her too much, but I do wipe the poop out. I read that the children's play sand is ok to use. Is that right? That's what I have in there now.

Ann · 11-13-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vectis Hamstery

Aaaaaw! Hi, Clover. You're such a sweetie.

Is her house enclosed? I found those tended to get really icky with my Chinese. I prefer cardboard boxes with the base cut out (so I can lift it off and get the ham out) and a little doorway cut in.

It's one of the little plastic castle-looking houses they have in pet stores. It doesn't have a bottom to it so it's fairly easy to keep clean, although I'm not a fan of the plastic. But, that's what they had in her cage in the pet store and I figured it would be something familiar for her. I'm going get my husband to build a house and a second level for her hopefully either this weekend or next.

cypher · 11-14-2015, 01:51 AM

Children's play sand is fine, I think you need to dry it out or something (never actually used it) but quite a few people use it with no problem.
A home made house sounds great, if you can get your husband to make one with a top that lifts off & no base it will make your life a lot easier & I'm sure she'll love it!
I'm no fan of plastic houses either but it'll be ok for a short while.
It sounds as though she's doing fine & hasn't been upset by the clean up, it may seem slow but you are progressing together

Ann · 11-14-2015, 08:07 PM

She seems to be doing pretty well and is getting a little braver about coming out. She lingers a little longer than she used to. I did have a question about mealworms. First of all, do most Chinese hamsters seem to like them? We keep live mealworms on hand for our geckos. I know there is some concern about live mealworms biting hamsters, but would they still eat the worms if we were to kill them first?
Also wanted to add that we got a larger bin cage for her last night. Hoping to work on it tomorrow, but I won't be moving her in just yet. I want to give her a little longer to settle in.

cypher · 11-14-2015, 11:47 PM

She is really beginning to settle in well now, I think you're right not to move her in a hurry, taming can be a lot easier in a smaller cage & she still needs that little bit more time to gain confidence but I'm sure she'll enjoy the new cage once the time is right.
Freshly killed mealworms are a great treat for hams & a good source of extra protein, definitely don't give live ones but she should really enjoy them, that might really win her over!

Ann · 11-17-2015, 05:24 PM

Small update on Clover. She seems to be getting a little more confident although she's still very timid. I had to clean her cage tonight b/c I couldn't handle the smell anymore and I know it's not good for her either. She took her time exploring her cage and checked everything out really good after I cleaned it. I kept some of her old bedding and shavings so it would still smell like her. She's pretty fast so it's hard to get pictures of her, but I did manage to get one decent one. She's so sweet.

Oh, almost forgot. I finally ordered a bigger wheel and it's supposed to be here on Friday. I've checked our local pet stores and they just do not carry the 8" wheels which is very frustrating. The largest I've seen is the 6.5" silent spinner and then it jumps up to the really big ones for chinchillas. Makes me feel bad for the Syrians they sell.

cypher · 11-18-2015, 12:15 AM

There's just something about a little Chinesey ham in an egg box that is way too cute!

Sounds as though she's coming on fine & did well with the cage clean upheaval, she'll soon get used to it.

Which wheel did you order?

Ann · 11-18-2015, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

There's just something about a little Chinesey ham in an egg box that is way too cute!

Sounds as though she's coming on fine & did well with the cage clean upheaval, she'll soon get used to it.

Which wheel did you order?

I got the Kaytee Comfort Wheel. I know it's probably not the best one out there, but it's all I could afford for now. Hope she likes it.