Hi! Meet Bella

Bellasmama · 06-14-2020, 11:49 AM

Meet Bella. Our family's new 8 week old robo hamster (was 6 weeks when we got her)

Yesterday I posted in the introduction thread about her hiding and being timid once we moved her to her larger bin cage.
Yesterday evening she decided she was going to be social again and come out. I put her hamster ball into her cage and she climbed in so I used it to carry her to the playpen. When she was done I moved her back to her cage after adding a bunch more bedding to one side for burrowing. She seemed more docile once I put her back. Even letting me fix things in her cage without running.

This morning she came out curious again so I put her ball in again and she climbed right in, I brought her out for some "tub taming" until she decided she was done (trying to dig through the blanket I had laid out)
When I put her back into her cage she again let me reach in to clear out her toilet paper tube, even climbing into it while it was still in my hand.

I'm hopeful this means a fairly quick taming period with her.

She's not food motivated at all, unless it's protein based, like eggs or chicken, so I'm going to be looking at a good mealworm treat for her.

Any advice for a first time robo owner (that some of you might not have given me on the other thread?)

Ria P · 06-15-2020, 01:55 AM

Bella seems to be a lovely hamster and you are very lucky to have a Robo who is so sociable. Sounds like you are going to enjoy each others company.

Bellasmama · 06-15-2020, 04:38 PM

Today Bella nipped my 6 year old. She had just fed her a tiny treat, Bella came over to her hand, sniffed it for a while and nipped. Scared both of them, although the 6 year old said it "almost hurt" washed her hands and tried again. A sniff but not another nip.
Does this sound more like a curious "are you food?" Nip? Or a "get out of my house" nip?

Ria P · 06-15-2020, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bellasmama

Today Bella nipped my 6 year old. She had just fed her a tiny treat, Bella came over to her hand, sniffed it for a while and nipped. Scared both of them, although the 6 year old said it "almost hurt" washed her hands and tried again. A sniff but not another nip.
Does this sound more like a curious "are you food?" Nip? Or a "get out of my house" nip?

Sounds more like a "are you food" nip to me because your child's hand would still have smelled of food.

Maker · 06-16-2020, 09:10 AM

Sometimes they will test new things with their teeth, with eyes on the sides of their heads they don’t see what’s under their nose so well, so smell would have indicated food, great that your daughter wasn’t put off, does sound like an accidental nip. Polo tested my toe the other day with her teeth, she jumped when I flinched, I don’t think she had come across a barefoot until then she hasn’t tried eating it since

Bellasmama · 06-16-2020, 02:21 PM

Thats what I figured too.
Thanks

I full expected her to be put off and nervous, but she loves her little hammy and knew it was an accident

Bellasmama · 06-19-2020, 08:37 PM

Ok. I need help. I've hit a standstill with bella.
Ever since she has made herself cozy in her little house, and I've added more bedding to one side of the cage... she's not interested in coming out at all.
She's hides in her hut whenever we are around, whennbefore she would at least hide in the log and watch us through the hole.
She also will no longer come out for treats.
I am not sure where to go from here...
Should I put her cage back to all one level? Could that have screwed her up? Or should I just keep trying talking to her and offering treats to see if she starts coming back out?

Yanathehammie · 06-20-2020, 12:23 AM

Hamsters in the wild spend lots of time underground so it is fine that she is spending time in her house, especially after you have put more bedding in. Adding more bedding is great, even if it might set you back

. I think that with time she will come out to explore. Patience is always needed when taming!

Maker · 06-20-2020, 11:52 PM

Just wait, put in some toilet tissue torn into strips that you have had against you skin for a few hours. It’s still early days, it takes time and her scent would have been diluted with the extra bedding going in.
The other approach is to corner her and scoop her up, after a while she will realise nothing bad will happen and accept this. If you do this be aware she could jump and keep everything very close to the floor and the floor safe.
It’s personal choice which option you go for