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Old 04-13-2005, 12:40 AM   #1
nowiegirl
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Default Need tips for a nervous hamster & owner

Hi everyone. I just got a male Syrian hamster 3 days ago. I've owned 2 dwarf hamsters in the past, and one of the two was very very friendly and docile. My new hamster, which I think is older, but not quite sure how old... (Petsmart couldn't tell me his age and he was housed alone), seemed really active, curious, and came right up to my hand when I was in the store. I've been very patient, and haven't bothered him much. I tried to get him to come to me and maybe try to hold him, but I am extremely nervous, and I think he is picking up on my nervousness, b/c he seems just as nervous.



I tried to cup him with both hands, but he kept jumping out of my hands. I'm not sure why, but all of a sudden, I'm very scared of getting bit, and I'm afraid that I won't be able to tame him. I'm even scared to pet him, as he is a bit jumpy. I probably haven't given myself much of a chance, and taming takes time, but I'm feeling a little discouraged. So far, he will take food from my fingers when offered through the cage bars. He looks at me through the cage when I talk to him by it, and doesn't run away, just sniffs and stares. Hopefully, these are good signs. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I just really want him to be happy, and not stress him out by trying to hold him when he really doesn't want to be held. Sorry this is such a long post. Can someone please give me some advice on how to ease my nervousness, along with his? If he tries to escape my hands, should I just let him back into his cage and try another time? Should I try gloves? He hasn't actually bit me yet.



I also have a couple more questions. Like I mentioned above, I've only had him for 3 days. He is in a wire cage at the moment. I'm now in the process of making a bin cage, as I feel it would suit him better. Will moving him to his new cage stress him out even more? Should I wait a while before the transition? Once he is moved to the new bin cage, should I let him be for 2-3 days again?



Lastly, about wheels. My hamster is currently using the comfort wheel (8-1/2in), and it is wobbling all over the place. I've read on several different threads that the silent spinner is a good choice. Some people mentioned how the 6-1/2 in wheel is a bit small for a larger Syrian. I know that the 12in wheel is BIG, but is that a problem? I've considered the Wodent Wheel as well, but I'm not crazy about the idea of the entrance holes. Thank you in advance.
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Old 04-18-2005, 06:29 AM   #2
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Hello Nowiegirl,



Congratulations on the new hamster From the sound of things considering that you just purchased him I feel that at this point you are doing everything absolutely right despite your nervousness. You probably don’t want to force your hamster to be held soon after its brought home. They need time to adjust to their new cage and the sounds and smells that are common in your home. The best thing to do at this point it to allow the hamster to get use to your presence and scent. Offering a treat and letting it sniff you is a great way to get you both use to each other! So good job on doing that



I would continue doing what you have been doing for a while longer; maybe a few more days or maybe even a week if that’s what it takes for you to get use to your hamster and for your hamster to get use to you. Once you have spent time with the hamster by offering treats and trying to stroke it back it may ease your nervousness around him.



One thing I suggest is not to be jumpy with your hand movements, Jerking your hand back if that hamster jumps when you pet it may cause it more alarm then necessary so just try and be smooth and gentle.



One thing you could try is placing a large cup in the cage and let the hamster crawl into it then take it out and find a safe place to sit and allow the hamster to walk onto the palm of your hands on its terms.



I think that maybe you should give the hamster a good two weeks in its new cage getting use to you and its surroundings before finally transferring it to the bin cage if your worried about stressing it out or having it catch wet tail. But wait and see what other members feel about the move.



My hamster Gerald has a comfort wheel and it does make a bit of noise. But I also have three silent spinners for my other rodents and I can see just by looking at one and Gerald that he would not fit on it to comfortable, Syrians just get to big. The SS can be good for a younger Syrian but eventually they will out grow it. I haven’t used a wodent wheel so id just wait to see what someone else says about them



But I honestly think you are doing a great job so far, there is no need to push things, so long as your hamster gets to interact with you on some level even if through the cage bars it is good socialization.
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Old 04-19-2005, 12:00 AM   #3
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Hi Nowiegirl



Welcome to Hamster Central and congrats on the new hammy.



First off - theres no need to be nervous of him! The worst that can happen is he nips you, and even the most determined hamster bite cannot do that much damage. So really try and be calm whilst you're handling him. If he does bite, it's not the end of the world, and you're much bigger than he is he can't hurt you.



Stroking his head/back whist he's in the cage may not go down well, many hamsters don't like that even when they are tame. It sounds like you're doing well with him, if he's coming to the bars etc. Keep up with that. For handling him, just try and build it up gradually. If you can't pick him up straight from the cage for now (depends what cage you have and how you can access it) using a cup/tube can help. An idea might be to handle him whilst you're sitting on the floor, so if he does jump suddenly he doesn't have far to fall. He won't just sit in your hands, he will want to explore you and his surroundings, so let him crawl over you and run between your hands.



Keep it short for now, even if it's only a few minutes, and build it up gradually.



Good luck What's his name by the way?
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Old 04-21-2005, 11:53 PM   #4
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I've named my hamster Hamlet. I got that name from someone else on one of the hamster boards. I found out that he is 8months to a year old. I can't believe no one bought him for so long!!! I've gotten less nervous since my original post. I've been able to pet him a little in his new tub cage. He is still very very jumpy, so I try my best to give him his space. When I open his door, he will come and hop into his ball. I tried with my hand, and he actually crawled onto it voluntarily as well! I don't really know if it's just him, or the nature of hamsters, but he doesn't like to sit still unless it's in his cage. I'm not quite sure how much he likes being in his ball or out in the play area... I think it makes him more nervous, as he runs around like a maniac! Has anyone had an older hamster like mine who started out very jumpy, and then became docile? I truly hope he will become comfortable enough to sit on my hand and maybe even take a nap? Am I asking for too much?



I'm still concerned about his well being. He eats, drinks, and exercises enough I think. I've even got him using his potty! I thought most hamsters like to sleep curled up usually in a hiding spot, but mine often sprawls out in the open and sleeps like a dog... is that normal!?



I remember as a child loving having my hamsters. Now that I'm an adult, I can't help but feel a little sad that he is enclosed in a cage, even though it's a big enough cage that it fits a 12"wheel comfortably. I've also read on some hamster research page that hamsters don't actually "like" to be handled, but it's more along the lines of that they tolerate being handled. Handling causes their hearts to beat faster, and may cause anxiety. What do you guys think?
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Old 04-22-2005, 01:23 AM   #5
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Default Tolerate handling

This can be the case where a hamster is not socialised young enough to help them conquer anxiety at being handled. You sound like you are making progress =D> and don't worry if you never get Hamlet to sleep in your hands I have many hamsters that will not sleep outside their cages or when I am around. They are not particularly anxious just hyper-active. It is harder to tame an older hamster but not impossible so keep up the good work and I am sure you will get there. He doesn't sound nasty or anything so I think you have a better chance Hope you post a picture of your hamsters soon...
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Old 04-22-2005, 02:44 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nowiegirl
I thought most hamsters like to sleep curled up usually in a hiding spot, but mine often sprawls out in the open and sleeps like a dog... is that normal!?


Most hamsters do make nests, yes, but when I first got my Alfie he also slept sprawled out in the open (he still does sometimes, I haven't had him very long). I think it might be that in his previous home, he didn't have the opportunity to make a nest, so wasn't used to doing it. Perhaps if Hamlet has spent his whole life on display in a pet shop, he didn't have much room to make a nest, so he's not used to doing that?
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Old 04-22-2005, 04:46 AM   #7
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I found my hamster Gerald sleeping on his back with his little legs all sprawled out when I lisfed up his igloo to give him a treat. He looked like he was dead but was only just sleeping



My drawf hamsters like to sort of flatten themself out into little furry pancakes when they snooze sometimes. So Im sure the behaviour is normal.
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