I never see them!!

Maximus · 06-25-2016, 03:42 PM

My two new beautiful baby robos, Honey and Mustard, have settled in now but I hardly ever see them! They do run miles at night but they don't get up until 1 or 2am when I am asleep! I see them when I wake up most days and they'll have a treat and a chat, Mustard is in "lifting up my hand with you on it" training and Honey is just building confidence to eat on my hand, but then they go to bed again! I love them so much and I really want to see them more so I can talk to them and get them as tame as I can.
Is it a phase? Is it because they are so young still? I think they are about 9 or 10 weeks old now. Any advice or tips? Clearly waking up a sleepy still-nervous hammie isn't going to help much but what chance do I stand if I don't et to interact with them?
Help!

WinnieTheHam · 06-25-2016, 04:37 PM

Feed them their veggies at the same time every day, at the time you're wanting to see them. They'll eventually start waking up earlier for their dinner but it takes time for them to get used to it. You can also rustle the substrate a bit - I do this with mine if I want them to wake up. It's a nice slow way of getting them out of bed instead of stroking them or picking them up when they're asleep. It sounds like you haven't had them that long so they're probably still getting used to things. Robos aren't the most interactive hamsters and are usually more of a watching sort of hamster. They're the newest species to the pet industry so they aren't that accustomed to handling due to their strong wild instincts. Although that being said it is still possible to handle them and get them more tame and used to human contact

It takes a lot of time and patience but I'm sure you'll get there.

Maximus · 06-26-2016, 05:05 AM

They are my first robos and I know taming is a massive challenge which is why I'm so keen to see more of them. They've been up this morning (yaayy). I've had them three weeks now? Ish. Mustard will tame. I'm certain of it. She is keen to hop onto my hand (she has been well bribed with tasty things) and she is starting to not panic when I lift and move her to a different part of the cage. Honey is much more timid. She will happily take hand-fed bits but needs more patience to hop onto my hand. She has to be in the mood. I am more than happy to settle for that if it's all I get with her but Mustard seems to enjoy playing. I will try a substrate rustle. I always feel rude though haha!!

WinnieTheHam · 06-26-2016, 05:11 AM

Some hamsters take longer to tame, it's all about time and patience, you'll get there

phinox · 06-26-2016, 08:00 AM

Robo's love seasame seeds, I get mine in the bulk section of the grocery store.
Now when I the bag makes noise my hammy magically appears.

Maximus · 06-27-2016, 01:01 PM

Yes mine like sesame seeds too. Anything tiny. And millet sprays, they got extremely excited by Millet sprays.

How long before I clean the cage? I've never had a hammie that hasn't been out and about for this long so I'm not exactly sure how to do it! Mustard does get in her ball so I was thinking of putting the spare cage together and moving a little old substrate and some of their toys and hide-always etc over and move Mustard by getting her in her ball but I have no idea how to get Honey over. I really don't want to be chasing her all round the cage because I would be worried I would undo any progress we've made. I guess I can bait her ball with treats but what if she is just terrified the whole time?? i just want them to love meeee! Haha!

michyLS · 06-30-2016, 05:14 AM

My dwarf hammy comes running when he hears the meal worm box being shaken. He's like a cat!