Uh oh....

natukiro · 04-02-2014, 05:48 AM

Oh shoot, I lost Tubby my Syrian hamster, I let him out on the floor for outside time and he shot away under the sofa like a bullet! We flipped it over but he wasn't there, we checked everywhere. And turns out he is in the fridge.

Yes I mean IN not frozen in. We were pretty sure he was under it from the squeaking but when we looked under he wasn't there(we couldn't see him or his paws) we moved the fridge and checked for holes in the walls and there werenmt any. Any ideas? Its nearly been 2 days....

souffle · 04-02-2014, 05:53 AM

Hamsters are attracted to the warmth of the motor in the back. He must have wedged himself somewhere inside that area. If you think he is in there you need to unplug and call an electrical engineer to safely remove parts until he can be freed.

natukiro · 04-02-2014, 06:41 AM

I'm in China so I don't know the electrical engineer's phone number ( even if you told me I'd forget within seconds)

BrainGirl · 04-02-2014, 07:11 AM

Are you in an apartment or in a house? If an apt then surely there's a bldg manager? If a house then at least unplug the fridge in case he chews something! Fridges aren't really that complicated anyway. Depending on the model, you may be able to remove the plate at the front bottom of the fridge under the door and get a look in that way or else use a flashlight to look around the compressor and electricals at the back. Also check in the pipes that cover the back of the fridge and help to radiate heat away from the unit, he may have climbed up in there.

**DrKMcK** · 04-02-2014, 07:25 AM

Hello natukiro. Besides unplugging the fridge, because Tubby might chew the wires and electrocute himself, you need to set up a bucket trap to try and catch him. Tubby is going to get hungry so he will come out on his own. Also, if you have a critter trail tube, push one end a bit into the opening and he may just go into the tube and you will have him. If this little guy chews the wires you will need a repairman anyway, so to avoid that you must unplug the fridge. I hope he comes out soon.

natukiro · 04-02-2014, 07:48 AM

People I'm in china, granny is ummm strict with things and I don't have a bucket small enough for him not to get hurt. I put a peanut down there yesterday and it's still there

**DrKMcK** · 04-02-2014, 08:03 AM

Hello again natukiro. The size of the bucket isn't a problem. Big or small the setup is the same. In fact, the larger bucket is better because once in there he can't jump out. What you do is, pile a couple of books like stairs. Tilt the bucket a little bit onto the top of the book staircase. Put some food/seeds going up the steps and then into the bucket. The hamster will fall into the bucket, so put a small dishtowel or rags into the bottom of the bucket so he has a soft landing. This is the best way to capture an escaped hammy.

natukiro · 04-02-2014, 08:42 AM

Okay, whats the best time to keep it there in case he managed to go somewhere else? And how do you know if the hammy is dead? Granny told me ' that rat is dead and now the germs are going to spread in the kitchen' which really set off a bomb in me....

**DrKMcK** · 04-02-2014, 08:46 AM

I had a hammy lost for over 2 weeks and he was fine when I caught him. A friend had been watching him and he escaped. It is quite likely he is very much alive. Hamsters are more active at night, so in the evenings set up your trap.

natukiro · 04-02-2014, 09:54 AM

You sure? In china he was more of a morning guy, works on his wood block and food before going to sleep again