New Hamster named Freddy!!

AnnaSueJ · 04-17-2005, 10:31 AM

Hi all, On Saturday my husband and I went to PETsMART and picked a new hamster for our daughter. She told me that she wanted "a hamter that would climb and run on the wheel and was black" So at the store we stood in front of the hamster cages for a long time watching them. Freddy stayed on the wheel the whole time we were standing there. So wrap him up, we'll take him. In comparison with Zoe, I believe we had a sick hamster from the get-go. She NEVER acted like Freddy. I know all hamsters are different, but Freddy has been more active in the 24 hours that we have had him than the full four days that we had Zoe. Eats much more and drinks a lot more too. Also, the day after Zoe died, I had an errand to run in the mall, so I stopped at the pet store where we got Zoe, and you guessed it... Aquarium tank full of sickly hamsters; sneezing, shut eyes, etc. yuck! So I hope this one turns out better than the last one.

**babyboos** · 04-17-2005, 01:09 PM

I do hope you have better luck with Freddy than Zoe - the main thing to remember s to keep stress to an absolute minimum. Leave Freddy to explore his new cage for a few days doing nothing more than giving him fresh food and water, and talking to him gently as much as you can so he gets used to your voice. I would highly recommend you obtain a good pro-biotic to add to his food as the main illness in new hamsters is digestive upset and this will help to encourage the growth of good gut bacteria. Hope to see a picture of Freddy soon

SnuggleHam · 04-18-2005, 06:11 AM

Congratulations on the new hamster!

I’m sorry to hear that you had bought a sick hamster

that happened to me once also. It’s hard to know sometimes especially when they first contract it, they may look completely normal but in a day or so you can tell something is wrong.

Good luck with Freddy and I hope you post some pictures!

hammydude · 04-20-2005, 06:31 PM

So sorry to hear about Zoe

was she from PETsMART too?

I hope you have better luck with Freddy.

AnnaSueJ · 04-22-2005, 08:04 AM

Thanks all,

I've kept interaction to a minimum. Still trying to tame him from a distance at sorts by offering him a raisin by hand every night. He comes out of his house around 9:00pm and fills his pouches and then goes back into his house and stays in there untill everyone goes to bed. How can I start taming him when he doen't come out of his house. My husband asked me if I should take the house out of the cage. I told him that I'm not because that may stress him out too much and that just seems cruel.

I've got to clean the cage this weekend. do you have any suggestions of how to clean the cage with am untame hamster? I've got a zoomer ball but how do I get Freddy in it?

Hammydude, no I got this hamster at a Mom and Pop pet store. When I returned almost a week later, after Zoe died, most of the hamsters in the tank were sick. I ended up getting Freddy's wheel there. He only got it after I soaked it in a bleach solution. Not taking any chances what so ever! The hamsters at petsmart were very healthy looking, after I learned what to look for. This is an awesome website!!!!!!

Emma · 04-22-2005, 10:32 AM

Congrats on the new hamster AnnaSueJ

For catching an untame hamster, you could try picking him up in a cup or tube in the cage - place it in the cage, wait for him to climb in (perhaps encouraged by a treat) and then pick him up in it. You could then transfer him to the exercise ball, or if its easier, a play pen set up in a large high-sided box, or even the bath.

**babyboos** · 04-24-2005, 05:28 PM

This is very common behaviour in a new hamster so don't worry about Freddy hiding from you and take out his house just yet. In a few more days I am sure he will start to come out for longer especially if you keep up the talking and treat giving. Can you hold the zoomer ball up to the cage entrance so Freddy can climb in for himself? Alternatively try using an empty toilet roll tube. To gently coax him into it put a treat inside and be ready to pick it up when he gooes in and then hold it over the entrance at a slight angle so he doesn't actually slide out of the tube but walks in of his own freewill. You could also use a clean plastic kitchen ladle or large mug. Hopefully he will enjoy his time in the zoomer very much and soon will be clamouring to get into his ball. Using it at the entrance you should find he comes to the door whenever he wants to go in his ball.