Would you change his cage temporarily to help taming ?

Dessi · 10-27-2019, 07:09 PM

I’ve had Nuage for a week now. The first 2-3 days I managed to pick him up and pet him for a few minutes every night, but now he doesn’t stay on top of the bedding long enough for me to get him. His cage is big with lots of bedding and tunnels to burrow in, so that’s what he does. He just stays underground 99.9% of the time, except late at night.

So I was thinking, this cage isn’t helping. Neither is the thick bedding. For a while, until he gets used to the noise in the house and me being around, maybe I should put him back in his smaller cage (still big enough) and reduce the amount of bedding and provide a house instead ? Then when he’s fully adapted, he could go back to the underground life.

What do you think ?

AmityvilleHams · 10-27-2019, 07:45 PM

You could try a smaller cage temporarily, but keep in mind that with every transition to a different cage you have to allow your hamster time to settle in all over again. Also, a week is not a long time at all for some hamsters to get settled in so it may just be a matter of waiting longer!

Dessi · 10-27-2019, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

You could try a smaller cage temporarily, but keep in mind that with every transition to a different cage you have to allow your hamster time to settle in all over again. Also, a week is not a long time at all for some hamsters to get settled in so it may just be a matter of waiting longer!

Yeah, I thought about that. I might just be delaying the acclimatization by changing cages.

Although I believe if I just transfer the same stuff from one cage to another, it will make it feel like the same place, since all his scents will remain ? Also, it’s the cage he was in for the first 3 days, before I decided it was too small.

AmityvilleHams · 10-27-2019, 08:40 PM

No matter what, there has to be settling time. It doesn't matter if they've been there before, if you move all the same substrate and such, or anything else. They really do need time to settle in whenever their cage is changed, and even in many cases if the location of the cage is even changed.

Dessi · 10-27-2019, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

No matter what, there has to be settling time. It doesn't matter if they've been there before, if you move all the same substrate and such, or anything else. They really do need time to settle in whenever their cage is changed, and even in many cases if the location of the cage is even changed.

Ok, I’lI take that into account.

CharlieHamHam · 10-27-2019, 10:04 PM

Im not a professional, but I think that I would wait another week. Hamsters take a little while to adapt. It’s good to hear that you could pick them up, but maybe give them a break for a few days. It can be stressful to be a hamster

Also, I just want to thank you for having a big cage for Nuage! I believe in you!

Dessi · 10-28-2019, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieHamHam

Im not a professional, but I think that I would wait another week. Hamsters take a little while to adapt. It’s good to hear that you could pick them up, but maybe give them a break for a few days. It can be stressful to be a hamster

Also, I just want to thank you for having a big cage for Nuage! I believe in you!

Ha Ha Ha ! Thank you !

I’m torn between doing it and not doing it. Nuage comes from a breeder, so he was used to being handled everyday and he is actually very sweet. I’m worried waiting another week will make him settle even more in his borrowing habits and he will miss out on knowing how nice it can be to come out of his cage.

So I have it down to either keeping the same big cage and just leaving less litter or the smaller one. I’m leaning towards the smaller one until he adjusts, because it will allow me to pick him up easily without stressing him as much.

Dessi · 10-28-2019, 11:39 AM

Update : I changed his cage, making sure he has a place with lots of bedding to hide and be comfortable.

Well, I don’t know if it’s a coincidence but he’s a totally different hamster... I’ve never seen him so much. He is running around everywhere, running in his wheel, foraging food and so forth.

I’m still keeping an eye on him for signs of distress but he seems to be doing well.

Cyanic · 10-29-2019, 06:09 AM

I was previously told that for young hamsters, large cages can be incredibly scary and in turn a smaller one for the first month or two, until they are truly settled and comfortable, can be beneficial. Going from one habitat to another is stressful enough, but when you go from one size to something even larger, that can be nerve wracking too. Of course all hamsters are different, but for my Hershey, being in a smaller cage first hand was far better for him. He was more comfortable and more active within his new habitat. After a good few months, and when he simply tells me when the right time is, I'll be moving him across to his new home - The Barney or the Savic Plaza (I haven't decided which one to buy yet aha!)

It's lovely to hear that you've seen him up and about since the change. But yes, keep watching him for signs of distress and see how he goes

Pebbles82 · 10-29-2019, 07:26 AM

That's good news. I am beginning to think starting them in a smaller cage is a good idea (not too small obviously) as I do find baby hamsters a bit skitty going straight into a 100cm cage. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!