Hammy escaped last night.. somehow??

Ellie · 11-16-2010, 01:16 AM

Hammy must of got out of his zoozone 2 early this morning somehow?? (hes found now) There are no holes or chew marks on the sides/underneath the cage, all the clips on it were secure.. The only thing I can think of was there was a tiny little gap in the mesh he might have squeezed through? Can they really squeeze through that much? Also his swinging bridge was quite a distance away from it and thats the only high level toy... I've took the bridge out anyway and going to re-mesh the whole lid tonight right to the edge...

My mum was screaming up at me 10 mins ago, that Hammy was running around the floor!! So I went down and he was hidden behind the curtain looking the happiest I've ever seen him, Ears up, eyes bright!! Anyway he climbed onto me no problem what so ever and I gave him the once over and checked his cage and put him straight back in it ... He went straight to food and water so must have been out a while... I'm panicking a bit now as he must have jumped atleast 3ft, also he probably would of caught himself on the mesh, and there is some spikey bits on the outside of it.... Do you think I should take him to the vets or just keep an eye on him??

Anyway my mum was drinking a cup of tea, and noticed my dog hanging around the cabinet so looked over, and the hamster had came out and was squeaking nose to nose with my dog wagging its tail! I am so glad I introducted Cassie to all my hamsters from a young age, as she loves them, licks them everything - someone elses dogs may have been a different story...

I am so grateful to Cassie as I would never have known he was out if it wasn't for her and everyone in my house is out all day... Thats also the secound hamster shes spotted, as before one slammed into something in it's ball and it's ball broke in 2, and he escaped in the kitchen and the back door was open so we were all panicking but Cassie started sniffing and trying to dig the kitchen unit, and there was another ham hiding behind the sink :P

Does anyone think it must of been the gap at the top?? Or can anyone else think of any reasons?

SarahJ · 11-16-2010, 01:43 AM

What a good dog! you are lucky to have such a lovely dog as like u said it could have been a different story!

Im glad you found Hammy all safe, it is scarey when they some how escape.

One of my hamsters escaped and all the doors on her cage where shut and there was no way for her to get out but there she was running around in my books!

It could have been the hole as it sounds like the only way he could have got out, so deff remesh that bit.

Just keep an eye on him, im sure he'll be fine. Hamsters are good at not hurting themselfs when they fall from high places.

Rach210 · 11-16-2010, 02:59 AM

I'm glad he's safe and sound! Check hammy over but if there are no obvious injuries from the wire I'd say just keep an eye on him I don't think it needs a trip to the vets.

You were very lucky that your dog was so calm and gentle with Hammy but please keep them separate when Hammy is out of his cage - dogs are much bigger and stronger than hamsters so Hammy could get hurt by accident, also dogs have instincts, if he saw Hammy running across the floor he might chase him or try to pick him up like a toy and do him some damage.

Ellie · 11-16-2010, 04:44 AM

I understand what your saying but Cassie is a fairly small dog and she is an old one - and she has been round hamsters since she was a pup - For years she has followed them around in their balls, and couldn't resist the urge to go up and lick them.. I actually had Hammy on the sofa next to Cassie two days ago and they were so close!! I know she would never ever pick one up in her mouth or chase it, She is just over-intrested and excited and may accidently paw it. I can trust cassie that much WITH SUPERVISION of course I know that she wouldn't harm him!

Dynamite hasn't been near her as he's nervous but Hammy climbs all over her back

internet_nobody · 11-16-2010, 05:29 AM

How tiny would the tiny gap be? A small syrian could probably get through a gap of 1.5 cm.

Katty_Sheldon · 11-16-2010, 07:07 AM

Wow, well i guess if you really want to know it would be probably enough to put your hamster back in and watch him, he would probably try to to the same again and go out for a walk... im glad this has a happy end

Rach210 · 11-16-2010, 09:19 AM

I'm not saying your dog would deliberately hurt Hammy Ellie, Its just like you said she might accidentally paw him if she got over excited. Better safe than sorry thats all I'm trying to say.

Ellie · 11-16-2010, 11:14 AM

I wouldn't risk Hammy's life at all in any way Rach, and do not let the hamster anywhere near where the dog could paw him.. I keep a very very close eye on them, and it works for me this way!

Internet Nobody the gap is about 0.5cm or 0.75cm and he is a fully grown fatty ham!

**Hope** · 11-16-2010, 01:34 PM

So glad that he was found safe and sound - little tinker! It sounds like him squeezing out might have been it. You have got me worried now though as my meshing om my zz is pretty shoddy!! Phoebes has been in it for about 5 months now though and never had any probs *touches wood*!

Ellie · 11-17-2010, 12:55 AM

Hammy was in it for 3/4 months Hope before he realised he could escape... Don't mean to scare you.. I think you'll be fine, It's just I had toys at a high level