Needing help - new hamster owner :/

[peainapod]

Okay, so this is my first time appearing here as I’ve only recently found the site.

I bought a roborovski dwarf hamster about 3 and a half days ago and his name is Pea, he is the teeniest weeniest thing and I love him. Except, I feel like he’s doing some weird things.

I understand that of course it’s a new environment and new smells, surroundings and what not will affect his attitude and behaviour. Sometimes when I sit near his cage just to say hi for a couple minutes he’ll sit and stare into space. Like, does not move an inch. Then other times he’ll walk around, eat, crawl along the bars and climb. Other times he’ll lay completely flat on his belly, but just for a couple seconds before scampering off again.

I don’t know if I’m over thinking things, but it’s very weird. He does hide, but I understand that’s normal. But he’s also started chewing on the bars of his cage, which he didn’t do for the first 2 days I’ve only gone in his cage to change his water every morning and check if there’s enough food or if fresh food hasn’t been eaten and needs to be removed.

I just want to know if I’m doing anything wrong

[Velle]

Hi, welcome to HC

What you're describing sounds like pretty normal robo behaviour to me! They're a lot more skittish than other species of hamsters so they are a little more on their nerves and are more inclined to being a bit weirder. Their memory isn't amazing either so they can sometimes forget that you're a nice human and go into a flighty sort of mode and freeze up, or just flee for their lives. With robo's everything from approaching to taming is going to be done slowly

Bar chewing can be a behavioural sign that they're bored or don't have enough space. What type of cage do you have, and are you meeting the minimum requirements? Have you tried to give them a lot of digging room, and maybe a whimzee dog chew to occupy themselves with? Hides, and tunnels can mentally stimulate them a bit more too. Flora really loves a ceramic mug we've put in her cage, and Mallow really enjoys having a slightly elevated nest box for gerbils.

For the most part, it sounds like you're doing pretty alright

[cypher]

Hi & welcome to HC

I agree your hams behaviour sounds normal, little Pea will still be adjusting to his environment so just give him plenty of time to settle in & he should be fine. It doesn't sound as though you're doing anything wrong.
The bar chewing isn't so good! As Velle suggested a whimzee chew will be good for him to chew on, there's no one reason why they bar chew but if you could upload a photo of your cage set up we might be able to suggest things to help figure out why he does it & what might help.