Hello, newbie hamster owner!

Superhamster92 · 08-23-2016, 02:08 AM

Hi
I'm Carmen, and my son is Ian. We just got an 8 week old Syrian Hammy called Fluffle.
Ian is going to a Pets at Home workshop today, and we have both been reading tons of research about hamsters, but I'm guessing we will learn much more here!
Fluffle is still settling in, but I'm am going to move him into a larger home downstairs with the family next week. He's been very active overnight and seems to be quite friendly. We were told to let him settle for the first 24hrs to avoid wet tail, so he is due for his first cuddle this afternoon.

Carmen & Ian

Pygmypuff · 08-23-2016, 05:29 AM

Hi Carmen, welcome to HC!

Pets at Home can either be good or very bad at teaching about small animals! I would go ahead with the workshop, but don't put your complete trust in everything they say and I would double check here before you do anything they advise.

Fluffle is a very cute name, I can't wait to see pictures! The taming generally takes quite a while so don't expect a massive cuddle right away, I would start by just feeding him treats and seeing if he takes them. ErinsAnimals does a great youtube video on taming hamsters, linked here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qwxJLw7l24

What cage is he in? What wheel has he got? What toys etc does he have?

Good luck with Fluffle and hoping all goes well with him

Aisling and hamster · 08-23-2016, 05:58 AM

Welcome to hamster central. I hope you have great fun with your new hamster.

cypher · 08-23-2016, 06:08 AM

Welcome to HC & congrats on getting Fluffie

Look forward to hearing more about him as he settles in, take your time with taming, slow & steady is the best way, as Pygmypuff said just start by offering a treat or two & let him come to you to begin with then move on at his speed.

Superhamster92 · 08-23-2016, 06:16 AM

Hi, and thanks for the quick reply!

I know Pets at Home has a dubious advice, I've fostered rescue rabbits in the past and been stunned at some of their advice.

Fluffle is in a medium pets at home cage, with the plastic transparent sides and opening at the top. It's temporary as I'm planning on splashing out on a large 2 storey wooden one on eBay next week.

He is still on the PAH muesli, but I am weaning him onto nuggets to prevent selective feeding. He still has the wheel that is part of the PAH cage, but a silent running one is in the post.
He has a tube see-saw, expanding tube, bridge, loofah chews, a built in shelf, and an extra little house full of bedding in his cage already, and more toys that I care to admit spending on in the post!
I will try to figure out how to post a picture if I can.

Carmen

Pygmypuff · 08-23-2016, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superhamster92

Hi, and thanks for the quick reply!

I know Pets at Home has a dubious advice, I've fostered rescue rabbits in the past and been stunned at some of their advice.

Fluffle is in a medium pets at home cage, with the plastic transparent sides and opening at the top. It's temporary as I'm planning on splashing out on a large 2 storey wooden one on eBay next week.

He is still on the PAH muesli, but I am weaning him onto nuggets to prevent selective feeding. He still has the wheel that is part of the PAH cage, but a silent running one is in the post.
He has a tube see-saw, expanding tube, bridge, loofah chews, a built in shelf, and an extra little house full of bedding in his cage already, and more toys that I care to admit spending on in the post!
I will try to figure out how to post a picture if I can.

Carmen

Ah okay, excellent. Wheels tend to have to be quite big for Syrians, so I would recommend getting an 11" wheel when you do eventually get a bigger one

Those toys sound fantastic, seems he has a lot to be doing there!

AmityvilleHams · 08-23-2016, 08:58 AM

Honestly just go with a 12" wheel,something like a 12" Silent Runner would be the perfect choice as they're very quiet and the safest wheels!You do have to get them online though,but other than that they're very reasonably priced for such a high quality wheel

For food,hamsters actually have to have variety as well as nutrition.In the UK the best Syrian mix would be Harry Hamster,which provides nutrition and variety which are both essential.Unlike rabbits and guinea pigs and other pets,they shouldn't be fed on just pellets(not including hay for rabbits and guinea pigs though).

Gimleyand Meeko · 08-23-2016, 09:13 AM

Hi and welcome to HC! I can't wait too see pictures of your new hamster

Superhamster92 · 08-23-2016, 09:52 PM

Right, let's see if this works...

Fluffle was completely unfazed by stokes and fusses, so I sat Ian in a giant plastic box and let Fluffle sit on his lap, they both seemed comfortable with each other immediately! They got to know each other for 10 minutes while I changed the cage around and spot cleaned. Might try him in the hamster ball tomorrow!

AmityvilleHams · 08-23-2016, 10:07 PM

Honestly you're better off just using playpens and things like that.Balls really don't provide enrichment,and if anything they do impair senses and have terrible ventilation that can cause respiratory problems.In Germany they're even considered animal cruelty!