Overwhelmed & Stressed

[Pebbles82]

You are not a bad owner. He is only a baby and very frightened by the sound of it. It can take time and patience for them to be fully hand tame and learn to trust you. The cage is a bit small and that is probably causing the bar biting, but it is not as small as some. A lot of people make bin cages, if it's hard to find a good sized cage. A plastic storage bin with "windows" cut in the sides and meshed.

Meanwhile, setting up some kind of playpen enclosure for him to have some time out of the cage might be good. Around the same time each day. One tip with a nervous and untame hamster - is to not put your hand in the cage to lift them out or they feel fearful it is an invader in their "territory". Getting them out in a tube or hamster ball can work better. Eg a tube with a treat at the far end - in front of the nest. The hamster should walk into the tube to get the treat and you then put your hands over either end of the tube (so he can't fall out) and lift him out in the tube then put it down in something next to the cage (eg a large cardboard box) or, if you have a hamster ball, put one end of the tube into the hamster ball on the level, so he just walks out and into the ball - then pop the lid on. You can then carry the ball to the safe enclosure - eg a dry bathtub with the plug in, or a playpen area. Take the lid off and let him walk out.

Hamsters do not naturally bite. They bite because they are frightened or because they are in pain. He is very very young - a baby and has already had to have some treatment for mites, which will have been stressful (even if necessary) and a change of environment.

So some tips to help him settle. They usually need to be left alone in the cage when new, for a couple of days to adjust. Then no clean outs for the first two weeks - you can just spot clean the pee area every few days (ideally when he's asleep). Or use a litter tray and empty that every few days.

If you didn't know about that, then go back to square one. Leave him alone for a couple of days - talking to him is good. Then don't clean the cage for a couple of weeks - offer him the odd treat through the bars during this time.

And take the handling/hand taming slowly. There are lots of videos and tips on how to tame a hamster. It can seem slow at first, but it can happen very suddenly - and then they trust you and aren't scared of you.

Squeaking and biting sounds like fear because he's just a baby. If and when you change his cage there are also ways of doing that to minimise the stress of change, so come on here at that time Cleanouts do stress them and make them want to escape or bar chew as it removes all their familiar scent after they have scent marked everything in the cage to claim it. So "partial" cleans are best and not too often - eg substrate one week, any toys another week, wheel another week etc. And if you have a good depth of substrate,(eg 4" minimum) you can spot clean mostly for some weeks - eg taking out a handful of soiled substrate and replacing it with a handful of new and mix it in a bit. It;s only their pee that needs spot cleaning.

Best to leave the nest and hoard alone and not remove them - unless pee'd in - then if you have to remove the hoard, replace it with new food in the same place or they can start peeing on it to deter thieves!

They will use a litter tray if you put it in the place he's chosen to pee - often a corner of the cage, and then you can just empty that. Chinchilla bathing sand in the litter tray is ideal (sand bath not essential for syrians) and soaks up the pee.

It'll soon settle down. The other thing is they do need somewhere dark to retreat to in a cage - a house or nesting box that is dark inside - to feel secure and where they can build a big cosy nest. Something like a cardboard box house would do, and if you have it, a bendy bridge tunnel over the entrance so it's dark inside. Cut out the base of the tissue box or shoe box so it's open underneath and sat on top of the substrate - so they can have normal behaviours like burying hoards under the nest.

Chipsi substrate is fine - as long as it's not a scented version (scents can drive them crazy as too strong for their sensitive sense of smell).

They are very precious about their nest and hoards. Plain white toilet paper torn into strips is best for nesting - just a pile in the cage, but not inside the house - he will take some to the house to build his nest.

[Pebbles82]

With the playpen or bathtub - have 2 or 3 toys in so he has something to hide in and something to do - eg a mug on its side, a cardboard tube etc. If it's big enough you can sit in as well and he;ll run over you as if you are an object and help him get familiar with you - but not essential. Keep well away from the sides if you do so he doesn't run up your arm and jump out!

Wear gloves at first when lifting out with the tube or attempting the occasional stroke on the back when he's out of the cage, so you;re not nervous of being bitten - or he will pick up your nerves and be more nervous too.

When he's in a playpen area, just the occasional stroke on the back with one finger at first. If he bites - or jerks to bite - stop - then try again later. Then leave till another session. Eventually he will get used to it and stop trying to bite and then you're halfway there.

[DobbyTheSyrian]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Yes, keep talking to your hamster and Dobby will get used to your voice. You can also rub plain white toilet or tissue paper on your skin then tear it into strips to put in your hamster's cage. Dobby will probably use it as bedding material and get used to your scent. Give him something nice to eat holding it with your fingers and he may take it. He may even let you stroke him after a few times. Hamsters bite when scared and a lot of new owners get bitten in the early days, i did. Once your hamster learns that he doesn't need to be scared of you he'll be glad to be with you.

Yes i gave him a lot of tissue last night he already had some but i put whole pieces of tissue that he got to tear up. i scattered food all around his cage and i checked this, before i went to sleep so i gave him uncooked pasta like u said that i also gave him a very thick plastic spoon to gnaw on. He didnt bite his bars at all, when i woke he was fine, or atleast better than before i think what also stressed him out, was one of my friends forcibly took him out of the cage to play with when i wasnt around i only found out later i got extremely mad. Ive put locks on his cage now! Thank you for the support and advice you wouldn't believe how extremely tense i was for him

[DobbyTheSyrian]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

You are not a bad owner. He is only a baby and very frightened by the sound of it. It can take time and patience for them to be fully hand tame and learn to trust you. The cage is a bit small and that is probably causing the bar biting, but it is not as small as some. A lot of people make bin cages, if it's hard to find a good sized cage. A plastic storage bin with "windows" cut in the sides and meshed.

Meanwhile, setting up some kind of playpen enclosure for him to have some time out of the cage might be good. Around the same time each day. One tip with a nervous and untame hamster - is to not put your hand in the cage to lift them out or they feel fearful it is an invader in their "territory". Getting them out in a tube or hamster ball can work better. Eg a tube with a treat at the far end - in front of the nest. The hamster should walk into the tube to get the treat and you then put your hands over either end of the tube (so he can't fall out) and lift him out in the tube then put it down in something next to the cage (eg a large cardboard box) or, if you have a hamster ball, put one end of the tube into the hamster ball on the level, so he just walks out and into the ball - then pop the lid on. You can then carry the ball to the safe enclosure - eg a dry bathtub with the plug in, or a playpen area. Take the lid off and let him walk out.

Hamsters do not naturally bite. They bite because they are frightened or because they are in pain. He is very very young - a baby and has already had to have some treatment for mites, which will have been stressful (even if necessary) and a change of environment.

So some tips to help him settle. They usually need to be left alone in the cage when new, for a couple of days to adjust. Then no clean outs for the first two weeks - you can just spot clean the pee area every few days (ideally when he's asleep). Or use a litter tray and empty that every few days.

If you didn't know about that, then go back to square one. Leave him alone for a couple of days - talking to him is good. Then don't clean the cage for a couple of weeks - offer him the odd treat through the bars during this time.

And take the handling/hand taming slowly. There are lots of videos and tips on how to tame a hamster. It can seem slow at first, but it can happen very suddenly - and then they trust you and aren't scared of you.

Squeaking and biting sounds like fear because he's just a baby. If and when you change his cage there are also ways of doing that to minimise the stress of change, so come on here at that time Cleanouts do stress them and make them want to escape or bar chew as it removes all their familiar scent after they have scent marked everything in the cage to claim it. So "partial" cleans are best and not too often - eg substrate one week, any toys another week, wheel another week etc. And if you have a good depth of substrate,(eg 4" minimum) you can spot clean mostly for some weeks - eg taking out a handful of soiled substrate and replacing it with a handful of new and mix it in a bit. It;s only their pee that needs spot cleaning.

Best to leave the nest and hoard alone and not remove them - unless pee'd in - then if you have to remove the hoard, replace it with new food in the same place or they can start peeing on it to deter thieves!

They will use a litter tray if you put it in the place he's chosen to pee - often a corner of the cage, and then you can just empty that. Chinchilla bathing sand in the litter tray is ideal (sand bath not essential for syrians) and soaks up the pee.

It'll soon settle down. The other thing is they do need somewhere dark to retreat to in a cage - a house or nesting box that is dark inside - to feel secure and where they can build a big cosy nest. Something like a cardboard box house would do, and if you have it, a bendy bridge tunnel over the entrance so it's dark inside. Cut out the base of the tissue box or shoe box so it's open underneath and sat on top of the substrate - so they can have normal behaviours like burying hoards under the nest.

Chipsi substrate is fine - as long as it's not a scented version (scents can drive them crazy as too strong for their sensitive sense of smell).

They are very precious about their nest and hoards. Plain white toilet paper torn into strips is best for nesting - just a pile in the cage, but not inside the house - he will take some to the house to build his nest.

Hi! Thank you for your advice, im going to restart the taming process, but theres just one thing, whenever im near his cage he comes to the gate to sit in my hand and roam around so i dont know if that means hes tame or.. and also I found out later that a friend of mine forcibly took him out when i wasnt around. I got so mad. I scattered food around the cage, gave him extra tissue paper, uncooked pasta to gnaw on and left him alone he was fine today morning. I've put locks on my cage so no one can take him out without me around. Im not going to let anybody touch him. I myself will leave him alone for a bit so that he can relax

[DobbyTheSyrian]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

With the playpen or bathtub - have 2 or 3 toys in so he has something to hide in and something to do - eg a mug on its side, a cardboard tube etc. If it's big enough you can sit in as well and he;ll run over you as if you are an object and help him get familiar with you - but not essential. Keep well away from the sides if you do so he doesn't run up your arm and jump out!

Wear gloves at first when lifting out with the tube or attempting the occasional stroke on the back when he's out of the cage, so you;re not nervous of being bitten - or he will pick up your nerves and be more nervous too.

When he's in a playpen area, just the occasional stroke on the back with one finger at first. If he bites - or jerks to bite - stop - then try again later. Then leave till another session. Eventually he will get used to it and stop trying to bite and then you're halfway there.

He lets me pick him up, but HATES being pet or stroked. So im going to restart this process

[DobbyTheSyrian]

Originally Posted by Schwartzie

You are not a bad owner at all!! I live in Saudi Arabia and there is nothing here, like nothing. One hamster brand and shavings. I am ordering everything online and other owners have told me that they live in Europe and have to order online as well. The products you hear of are all online. Are you able to order through an online shop? I used an online shop that is for Saudi and Middle East. I’m sure there is somewhere you can order that delivers to India?

I bought a rabbit cage and put chicken mesh over it because the bars were too wide - it’s a big size 100cmx50cm. It was just too expensive to order a cage online. You are doing a great job with your hamster. That little fellow is so lucky to be saved by you.

If you can afford and are able to order online let me know and I can send you a list of things I have on my shopping cart and brands etc that you can look at.

What are the dimensions of your cage? Maybe it’s too small? Give your hamster lots of love as you have been doing and read through the threads here and post as many questions you have. Owners here are so helpful.

If you are able to order online you can get the right bedding and everything that you need. If you can’t order online then you find things that your hamster can chew like toilet rolls etc. There are lots of threads here about natural chew toys that won’t cost you.

Send a picture of your little one please☺️☺️☺️

I tried uploading it said to cut my image, so im trying and as soon as i manage i will.
The sites we have here in india are
Miscota
Amazon
Flipkart
Ubuy
Petsworld

So i look for stuff irl.
Please share the stuff in your cart it would be great to know what to do

Also when i took him out and let him run, he started biting my books and the bed sheets and stuff.

Later i scattered food all over his cage, gave him uncooked pasta to gnaw on, more tissue paper, and locked his cage

[Ria P]

Yes, hamsters do that, they nibble on anything. Mine nibbles or would given the chance, on books, blankets, cables! etc tries to climb into houseplants to dig in which is the reason we have to hamster proof the room when they're out free roaming. You need to keep a very close eye on your hamster when he's out of his cage or make a secure play pen.
I was amazed to read that Dobby comes to the gate and sits in your hand after such a short time. My own hamster wants nothing much to do with me and would never come to the gate for me or ask to sit in my hand.
I had a thought but you probably already thought of it. My hamster loves to sit in his coconut which i got in the pet shop. Its a hollow, dry coconut with a big enough hole cut out for a Syrian. Coconuts are readily available in Goa so could be used as a hamster hideout and something to chew on.
I don't give mine dried pasta daily only now and then for nibble variety. Whimzee small dog chew sticks are also suitable for hamsters but i don't know whats available in India, worth checking out though.

[DobbyTheSyrian]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Yes, hamsters do that, they nibble on anything. Mine nibbles or would given the chance, on books, blankets, cables! etc tries to climb into houseplants to dig in which is the reason we have to hamster proof the room when they're out free roaming. You need to keep a very close eye on your hamster when he's out of his cage or make a secure play pen.
I was amazed to read that Dobby comes to the gate and sits in your hand after such a short time. My own hamster wants nothing much to do with me and would never come to the gate for me or ask to sit in my hand.
I had a thought but you probably already thought of it. My hamster loves to sit in his coconut which i got in the pet shop. Its a hollow, dry coconut with a big enough hole cut out for a Syrian. Coconuts are readily available in Goa so could be used as a hamster hideout and something to chew on.
I don't give mine dried pasta daily only now and then for nibble variety. Whimzee small dog chew sticks are also suitable for hamsters but i don't know whats available in India, worth checking out though.

I had thought of the coconut,but as a sort of chew toy i read somewhere coconut shells would be good for a hamster to chew on! Its sounds so cute, your hamster sitting in a coconut shell <3 theyre so tiny and cute.
Idk either how he comes out. Everytime he smells me he runs to the gate or if he hears me i think because after i ignored him i sat down and watched him he went about his work. So i felt pretty flattered as u can imagine. And then the next day he went BERSERK. Its been a very eventful 10 days with him already. And im beginning to think him coming to the gate was a tactic to either get food or get out
I did look at dog chews, but i read some threads which say no garlic and none of them had the composition written.
Thank you for the pasta idea. I probably would've used it often. But if u ssy you don't im not going to.
I can't thank you enough btw. I was so tense yesterday
Thank youuu

[Ria P]

I'm no expert and still learning myself so don't really know how often hamsters can have uncooked pasta to chew on.

I chuck a few sunflower seeds into the coconut and Henry sits in there scrunching away for ages. Now and then he pokes his nose out which is so cute.

What do you mean when you say that your hamster went berserk?

[CharlieHamHam]

It looks like you have a lot of help from the other members! Good luck with Dobby!