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Old 12-07-2018, 03:13 PM   #1
Pichu
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 9
Default How much handling in the beginning?

Hi everyone,

We've only had our little syrian hammy, Pichu, for three days now but already she's seeming to love being out of her cage and being handled by us. I've just spent 45minutes with her, both handling her and letting her run around in her ball (which I'll be replacing with a playpen soon, I'm not overly comfortable with her being in a ball) before putting her back in her cage.

Gave her a treat which she munched on happily but now she's back at the door wanting out again lol. Happy to spend as much time with her as she needs, but I'm also very aware she's new and I don't want to overwhelm her.

Do I keep her out for as long as she needs at this early stage or is it best to get her used to us (me and 9 y/o son) in short bursts?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Gail x
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Old 12-07-2018, 03:41 PM   #2
mangoandmimi
Little Miss Tinytoes
 
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 7,036
Default Re: How much handling in the beginning?

Usually it's advised to leave them alone for a couple days so they can settle, sometimes bad behaviours stem from not giving them enough time at the beginning, and they can get very stressed from it too. But there are some hammies like yours who do want to be let out immediately. People will have different views on this but I think you should go at your hamster's pace at this point since she's already come out quite a bit, probably still get her out in short bursts so she's not overwhelmed but you can build up the amount you get her out for. 45 minutes is already quite a long time, I'd personally do less myself, so just make sure she isn't stressed out by it at all.
Hamster balls are far from ideal, they shouldn't be in there for more than 10 minutes at a time if you're going to use it, so they can have access to water and a bit of fresh air. I really can't think of any/many benefits to hamster balls at all, especially when there are so many drawbacks to them.
Playpens are much better. Make sure to get a Syrian proof one when you do buy one, a lot aren't suitable as they can just climb right out! Playpens allow your hamster to actually explore as opposed to just blindly running around in a ball. You could use your bathtub if you have one for the time being, they work just the same. Just line it with towels or something and put the plug in.
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Old 12-08-2018, 01:26 AM   #3
Pichu
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Join Date: Dec 2018
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Default Re: How much handling in the beginning?

Thanks mangoandmimi! Bathtub is a great idea, I'm not comfortable with the ball at all - she was in it for about 5 minutes at a time and though she seemed content, it can't really be much fun for her not being able to explore properly.

Will do bathtub tonight and for a little less time. She doesn't seem stressed out at all but definitely don't want. To do too much and overwhelm her.

Thanks again
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