Hi from me and my newbie!

Maz · 05-24-2018, 02:37 PM

Hi all. After months of asking questions on here, my teenage son got his hamster today - an 8 week old Syrian named Lucky or Luckie ( undecided on the spelling! )

The pet shop sold us woodshavings for bedding and that was it in that line - shouldn't he have some 'fluffy' bedding to snuggle down in?

I am feeling very nervous about being responsible for this little chap and my son is absolutely besotted by him - lets hope the novelty doesn't wear off and that they develop a great friendship

I look forward to hearing from you all and once he's settled in will get a picture of him and post.

IamKat · 05-24-2018, 03:14 PM

Woo congratulations on the new addition! Good luck with taming, i hope he settles in well

can't wait to see some pics!

In terms of bedding it is nice for him to have something to make his nest with but i would stay as far away from anything 'fluffy' as you can! Some of that fibrous stuff they sell in petshops is really really nasty. I recommend anything paper based like that shredded stuff you can buy or you can get some unscented toilet paper and allow him to rip it up and make his own, or rip a bit up for him. This is actually a great opportunity to start the taming process by keeping the tissue in you or your sons sleeve for a few hours and then putting it in his cage. That will help get him used to your scent before you begin proper training! Hope that helps!

dreamtree1234 · 05-24-2018, 08:27 PM

Hi and welcome to HC! Congrats on your son getting his first hammy! I'm sure Lucky/Luckie is feeling exceptionally lucky to have a loving family to love and care for him.

Good luck and have fun with the taming process. IamKat gave excellent advice. I regularly use Carefresh, Kaytee Clean and Cozy Small Animal Bedding, or Eco Bedding as the main substrate, and I use unscented tissues with my scent on it for extra nesting materials. All of them are great choices. Regardless of what substrate you choose to use, I would highly suggest doing the tissue trick as described by IamKat in order to make taming easier as your little one will already become familiar to your and/or your son's scent prior and during the taming process.

I look forward to seeing you around the forum, getting to know your little ham, and seeing pics whenever he is settled in more.

cypher · 05-24-2018, 10:11 PM

Hi & welcome to HC

Congrats on getting little Lucky!

The best substrate to use will depend on which country you're in, here in the UK wood shavings are safe to use although there are other better options if you'd like to try something else.
The only bedding you need for the nest is just plain white unscented toilet tissue, torn into strips, they love to use that for nesting.

Maz · 05-25-2018, 04:58 AM

Hi guys.
Many thanks for your replies - really appreciate the help.
I've heard of and seen Carefresh bedding so will probably change over to that when the wood shavings have been used.
Had never heard of using just good ole plain white toilet roll before as bedding, seems the way to go so will get my son onto that when he gets in from school.
Next on the purchase list is a ball so he can exercise in it around the house. Will get my son to try and offer him some food through the bars of his cage later and talk to him to build up confidence on both parts. Being a youngster he seems very skittish at the moment so a little afraid if my son tries to take him out of the cage he'll end up on the floor!

cypher · 05-25-2018, 10:03 PM

I wouldn't worry about getting a ball, if you want to tame & bond with him the best thing is to buy or make a playpen or you can use a large plastic storage container or the bath (with the plug in & a towel in the bottom!) as a taming/play area, this will allow him a chance to run around & explore (provide plenty of toys etc for him) & interact with you at the same time getting him used to you & handling.
He will get all the exercise he needs in his wheel provided it works ok & is big enough, balls don't provide any benefits really.
You can use a tube, mug or anything he'll climb into but can't escape from to transport him from the cage to the play area, balls can work for that if not much else!

IamKat · 05-25-2018, 11:52 PM

Cypher nailed it really, the bath trick is fantastic for bonding! It can take a little time for very skittish youngsters to become comfortable, but the bath trick is great for building confidence and can be repeated every day. Also feeding treats at the bars and then later at the open cage door is great. Once he seems a bit more comfortable you can try and hold a treat out in your hand and he may venture on to nibble. Talking through the bars like you suggested is a fantastic idea for the first few days/weeks as well. It may take a while for him to settle into his home - avoiding too many total cage cleans where possible also helps. Good luck! Let us know how you get on or if you need any advice

dreamtree1234 · 05-26-2018, 08:16 AM

Both Cypher and IamKat gave excellent advice on taming. If you need any more advice, please just ask. I hope it goes well for you, your son, and your little ham. Have fun and just take things slowly, letting your ham determine the pace of when to go on to the next stage of taming.

Rads · 05-29-2018, 07:11 PM

Hi Maz & Lucky,
Welcome to HC, I use Kaytee bedding for Ghost now as it is rather good value on Amazon of late, it is much cheaper than Carefresh and a lot less dusty, Ghost loves it and burrows in it with much aplomb and builds himself the biggest "igloo" nest you could imagine.

As for taming, take it slow and easy a bit at a time, Ghost was the slowest to tame and took quite a few weeks, and I did have a few sessions of hamster juggling to stop him from falling onto the floor from his home.

Wheel size is important get a 28-30cm wheel ideally, he will grow into it don't worry like many on here I use a Trixie 28cm wheel for Ghost it is plastic and is easy to clean if your hammy decides to pee & poop in it as some do. These are available from Amazon or Zooplus and are fairly inexpensive.
Lastly get your little dude a sand bath he will love it and probably use it as a loo too. Tiny friends farm sand is what most folk use, unless you want to use children's play sand and bake it in an oven to sterilise it.
Hope this helps.

Maz · 06-01-2018, 08:01 AM

Thank you all for your messages and words of advice and support - it really does help. Taming is going well - placing Lucky in the bath with a towel in the bottom and toys seems to be he way to go with him. From the bath he will now climb onto my sons hands and he can 'walk' him from hand to hand. Will keep you informed of all that's happening!