A new hamster?

[Sazzle]

Thank you. That’s really kind.

He is very sweet but really lacking in confidence still. I’m spending a lot of time sitting at his tank and talking to him when he is up. He still won’t take a treat from me.

He also hasn’t shown any sign of using his pouches yet. He just sits and nibbles bits of his food. I guess he is only small at the moment though.

I’ve decided that he needs more time to get over his nerves so I’m not going to push things with him. I’ll do things on his terms. X

[Sazzle]

So tonight, I put a little box in the cage & Bernie went in himself.
I lowered his box into the play pen that I’d set up for him, with some toys and stuff, he poked his head out, then raced to the back of the box and wouldn’t come out. I didn’t want to tip him up as I think that’d scare him even more!

I put the box back in the cage and he got out and started running on his wheel again. He won’t take a treat from me and seems so scared. It’s been a week now since I had him and I’m worried about the fact that he’s still so nervous!

Shall I just leave him for a few more days or should I keep trying to get him out?

Thanks for any help. X

[Hammy992]

If it's only been a week since you got him I wouldn't worry too much. Some hammies just take longer to settle; I know I've seen others on the forum say some of their hams took a few weeks or even months to be fully comfortable. After all, he is still trying to find a good nesting spot so he might be more nervous until he has picked an area where he feels safe and secure.
Using a container to make the transition from cage to playpen is a good idea but might be a bit overwhelming for him when he is still quite timid. You could maybe try offering him the container and gently lifting it within the cage without taking him out and then lowering it again to get him used to the sensation of being picked up without putting him in a whole new environment every time. Once you think he is ready to move on to the playpen try to put some tunnels, hides and similar toys in there that give him some coverage so it doesn't feel like one huge open space to him.

When i brought my last syrian Custard home I spent a lot of time talking softly near his cage too. I used to read him stories when I couldn't think of what else to say to him! I found that regularly giving him pieces of loo roll that had been tucked inside my sleeve for nesting material helped a lot with getting him used to me. If you putting your hands in the cage scares him you could try offering him a treat through the cage bars for a while first. Once he starts to associate your hands and voice with getting a treat he will hopefully become more relaxed and confident with time. Have you tried offering him treats from your palm with your fingers buried under the substrate? It might appear less threatening to him than your hands hovering directly above or in front of him. Having the cage set up in a room that is quiet and not too bright or noisy is also a good way to encourage your hammy to explore their environment and be more confident and inquisitive as they are less likely to become startled by things happening suddenly around them.

[Sazzle]

Thank you so much Hammy992 for your advice and reassurance. I think you’re right, and I need to just stop worrying so much & be a bit more patient!

I will try the things you’ve suggested so thank you. He’s in a tank so no bars to give him treats through but I’ll definitely let him get used to things in the ways you’ve said and hopefully things will improve. X

[CMB]

When you try putting him in the playpen again. Have his wheel in there and other toys from his cage. They will smell familiar to him and may help him feel more settled.