Hello from Redcar, on the NE coast!

[Angie B]

Hi! My daughter (who is 10) was desperate for a hamster, has been on about one for a while now but her dad, my husband, has always said no. Anyway, she has just completed her SATS and prior to those she asked that if she did well, could she have a hammy. After umm-ing and ah-ing, Niamh and I finally convinced Adrian to say yes.

We went to Pets at Home on Thursday and adopted one and he's gorgeous! He's about 12 weeks old and my daughter has named him Skittle.

We bought their medium sized hamster cage, in pink, which he seems to like, particularly the tunnel which runs around the outside; he often falls asleep in there and has in fact dragged some bedding into it ... haha He evidently feels safe in there.

Any ideas how to get Skittle tame? When we stroke him, he seems frightened and often seems to show submission by exposing his belly. My daughter has done a lot of research on the internet and has picked something up about putting him in a dry bath with a towel on the bottom and handling him in there. We did that this morning, only for a couple of minutes (while I mended his wheel actually as it had come very loose, not that he's used it) and he was running about; not sure if he was investigating his new surroundings, scared, or a bit of both. He had his bed in there so there was a bolt-hole for him but he didn't go in.

Any tips would be most welcome. Niamh is fully aware he won't be tamed overnight. She is very gentle with him, almost afraid to pick him up in fact so she doesn't hurt him, bless her, so she knows he is a fragile little critter really.

A rather long introduction, sorry about that!

Thanks for reading

[Amethyst_ice]

Hello and welcome!

Well done to your daughter for doing well.

Every hamster is different and some tame quicker than others and different methods.

What I would suggest is removing the tubes if you can? Aside from them being a bit dangerous for ventilation if he is sleeping in there, they will just act as a "run away!" space and slow taming down.

I wouldn't try play with him in the morning as he will have been awake all night and will be needing to sleep. The best time is early evening when they are waking up, as I found wiht my newbie, getting him out at 11pm when he is whizzing around like he has had several cans of redbull, is not the best time!

There are lots of methods our members use, personally for me I talk to the hammy outside the cage with the door open and when he comes up offer him a treat (like a seed or raisen).

I find the hamster ball good to associate with putting at the door for them to climb out, that way I then carry hammy in ball to the sofa and let him climb out onto my lap. If he lets me i gently stroke his back, if not just put some food on me and do this slowly. Many people do this in the bath as well.

I find it is often the confidence of the owner, rather than the hammy

Progress liek this and dont be afraid, you can scoop or cup your hamster up, i pick up through the middle and plonk on my shoulder! hehe

Have a browse and hopefully soon Skittle will realise what great owners you are and not be so nervous

xxx

[Angie B]

Thank you for getting back, Amethyst Ice, much appreciated . The tubes are well-ventilated in all honesty; they have lots and lots of holes punched in them, but yes, Skittle does appear to know that we just can't get to him if he's in there! Reading your reply, it seems that we're doing the right things already; have had him in the bath (on a towel so he doesn't slip) and have been scooping him up, letting him run over our hands and Niamh has been picking him up with one hand rather than the 2-handed scoop method (which I prefer). I'm very wary of putting him on my or my daughter's lap at present in case he darts off ... my husband would have a hissy fit if we "lost" him! We always talk to him when we're in the room, going up to the cage and also put our hands in as well, even if we just leave our hands hanging and not chase him around the cage. My daughter's taken to feeding him sunflower seeds through the bars (can they have too many sunflower seeds in one day?) which he takes quite nicely. Can he have sultanas?

I think I may look to buying a plastic cage sooner rather than later. The mess is horrendous!

[Amethyst_ice]

Babies do make more mess though, my little man is pooping all over the place, they soon settle and pick corners etc.

If you could detach the tubes for now it would help..and even with the little holes, when they stuff the bedding in the ventilation isnt great.

Two hand scoop is more secure but I wouldnt worry.

I just plonk my newbie on the sofa with me and scoop him into the ball if he is being fidgety to catch..just go for it, the more timid you are the more you will all work yourselves up

They can have raisens yet and sunflower seeds though careful not too many as they are fatty.

Little bits of cucumer, carrot, brocolli all go down well in this weather but not too much as if they store will rot quickly xx

[Hekomi]

A great alternative to a plastic cage is an aquarium tank. They usually cost about the same as commercial hamster cages and provide much more visibility, ease of access, and space for your hamster to roam around in.

Definitely try the bath tub, it works a lot better. I would suggest not feeding through the bars, just because he may start getting nippy at the bars or your fingers. Tell her to offer the sunflower seed in her palm in the cage and let him come over. If she's confident, he will be too. If she's worried about getting bitten, have her wear a thick pair of gloves.

What are sultanas?

EDIT: Btw I love your daughter's name! Niamh is actually #2 on my list of names for girls

[hamtastic1]

Hi and welcome. Can we see some pics?

[Angie B]

Originally Posted by Hekomi

A great alternative to a plastic cage is an aquarium tank. They usually cost about the same as commercial hamster cages and provide much more visibility, ease of access, and space for your hamster to roam around in.

Definitely try the bath tub, it works a lot better. I would suggest not feeding through the bars, just because he may start getting nippy at the bars or your fingers. Tell her to offer the sunflower seed in her palm in the cage and let him come over. If she's confident, he will be too. If she's worried about getting bitten, have her wear a thick pair of gloves.

What are sultanas?

EDIT: Btw I love your daughter's name! Niamh is actually #2 on my list of names for girls

Sultanas are dried out grapes. They're bigger than raisins and contain more moisture, hence they aren't as small and dry as a raisin. They're very tasty

Thank you for your comments on both the hammy and my daughter's name

Originally Posted by hamtastic1

Hi and welcome. Can we see some pics?

I will endeavour to get some as soon as possible

[Angie B]

Here's the little fella having a scratch:


Looking cute:


Being shy (well actually he was having a wash!):


We've handled him an awful lot today, let him run over our legs, hands, and my son's back! He's quite a confident/friendly little fellow and doesn't mind being manhandled at all