Help!!!

[branberry]

So my friend recently got a hamster. I was super excited! It was a syrian.


Living in a crittertrail.

I immediately went to validating and lecturing mode, trying to show her that the cage is too small. Theres nothing added onto the cage.

She doesn't really know anything about hamsters, she didn't know it's natural behaviors, it's fresh foods, sandbaths, it's sounds, etc. I should assume, since I have 5 hamsters and have had them for over a year, that she could trust me. However, she presses that the cage is great, and the hammy is happy!

I told her, you're a human, not a hamster. The only similarities are the h and m in your name. You can't tell if it's happy or not.

Now I let it go for a while, and I'm finally going over to her house soon. I offered to bring my bin cage that I really don't want, but is like 2.5 times bigger than her crittertrail. She insists no, that her mother would get mad, etc. And she said, the cage is fine. I ask, is it at least 360 square inches of floorspace? She just avoids the question, and keeps asking not to brring it.

So I have a friend with an 8 month old Syrian Hamster living in a lone crittertrail with a 5.5 inch wheel, a tiny food bowl, less than 2 inches of carefresh that hasn't been cleaned in weeks, no sandbath and a lot of stress.

How do I help her come to realize that the cage is just to small!?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Sounds like the problem lies with her mother?

[Drago]

Personally, I would try to refer her to here if at all possible! Sometimes direct confrontation just doesn't work, and though her mother may be a huge part of the issue, I think she'd be more motivated to make changes if she knew that she needed to. I'd try to share with her information and studies conducted on how hamsters are overall happier and healthier when kept in larger enclosures with deep bedding. Once she's on board with the idea, she'll need to get her mother on board and she'll need to do that by presenting factual information. Hopefully it all works out

[JLPrairie]

I would talk to her mother first, because it does sound like it is her mom is blocking her from expanding the cage. FeldHamster's blog is a good place to start to convince her mom (or your friend, if she's the one who doesn't want to expand the cage). Here's a link:
Naturnahe Hamstergehege: Kein Knast! / Don't jail me!

ErinsAnimals and HammyLux are also good resources (YouTube channels) especially since they present scientific facts about hamster care in an easy-to-understand way.

[Humphrey_hamster]

I would show her different cages etc to show that the cage should be big-time by the sound of it, that cage is hardly big enough for a dwarf! Syrian hamsters can get big too, even if at the moment it's a baby!try and drop hints but don't get in arguments, maybe get someone else to speak to her, if she's getting the same thing told to her by multiple people, it might sink in. I think you've been generous offering her the bin cage because what holds some people back is e cost as some cages can be very pricey.

[ChocoMintAnswersSincere]

First talk to her mom because her mom might not be OK with a big cage. Showing her bigger cages for low prices. I also suggest bringing the bin cage and if the mom says she can't have it tell her you are taking it back home with you and that it is not going to stay with her daughter. If the hamster is tame then put it in the bin with bedding and show her how much more relaxed it is. You can also show her YouTube videos for this topic. Good Luck!

[Crystalroborovski]

Hmm, this sounds like a tough issue. Of course her mother may have a big part of the whole issue but if she is avoiding questions and throwing away your advice she has a part to do with it too. Here's what I would do:
- check our Erin's Animals on YouTube. She has great care info on hamsters with understandable scientific info to back it up. I would select a few videos on basic hamster care (video on wheels, cage sizes, feeding, etc) to show to your friend.
- When you get to your friend's house try saying "hey, I found some cool hamster videos on YouTube! Want to watch them with me?" If she says no don't force her but try to gently convincing her to do watch them.
- Do hamster research with her. Maybe she is/was to intimidated to get into all of the research. If you offer to do it with her she may not be so reluctant to do it. Again, if she doesn't want to don't force her.
- try asking her mom if she would be ok if you brought your extra bin cage. I know, it can be scary talking to a friend's parent but if you have the courage, go for it! Don't whine or beg with the friend's mom though! And also I wouldn't suggest bringing the bin cage without her mom's permission.
- If/once you finish the research (take notes, these will be important) go with your friend if possible to present the facts to her mother. Maybe your friend is afraid her mom will get mad at her if she tries to convince her for a bigger cage. Helping her out may give her more courage to do so and she'll have someone to back up the facts.
In the end, direct and angrily-toned confrontation probably won't help the situation. And of course you can't really control how your friend takes care of her pet but you can suggest things to improve her pet care. I hope you found some of this useful, and good luck!

[Thin Lizzy]

I would speak to the mum, have pics and facts regarding hamster care.
Bring the bin cage with you and show how to set it up.

[worldturns]

wait a minute. there areally a few things that are not being considered here. by the sounds of it the person in question has already lost interest in the care of this poor hammy.
Branberry if you have a hamster now is there anyway you could show your friend your set up and how you tamed your hamster?
it sounds like your friend needs to see the fun that can be had by making things for the cage, how much more fun stuff the hamster could have in that cage, and even the fun of making a bin cage.
or even find a way to prove that the hamster is not happy the way things are. if the hamster is not living in the persons bed room (making tons of noise chewing the cage waking them up every night) then set up a camera to record the hamsters behaviour over night. this will hopefully record the things your friend needs to see and then you could explain the behaviour of the animal.
I agree with talking to your friends parents and showing the above mentioned utube channels.
let's not forget that the parents have just spent out money for an over priced and unsuitable cage. if they are short on money themselves finding out that what they have brought is harmful to an animal and effectively useless they might not be best pleased with their child and that could be what your friend is trying to avoid.
but my main point is show your friend the joys of getting it right!