Hamster's memory

[Quicksilver]

This probably sounds like a silly enquiry - but I will still enquire! We are on holiday next month and going to be away for a week. Our syrian hamster Ralph is going to be looked after by family which is great. My worry is will our little boy Ralph remember me in a week's time of not seeing me ? (this came to mind as a week is a fair amount of time if your lifespan is approx 2 years) He's just over a year old and he is very tame.

Any advice would be appreciated I'm a first time hamster owner too.

Love reading the posts on the forum!

[pinkneon]

I think he will! My hamster spent 2 weeks with a sitter when I had an operation, and was a little nervous the first day back but was fine after. He came back yesterday from a week with the sitter again and seemed happy to see me. Is he staying in his cage and stuff?

[Cinnamon Bear]

You could try putting lots of tissues with your scent on it, from under your sleeve, or something like that in a air tight container & have your family put some in every day?

Probably best if family only changes water & food w/o any interaction. That way he won't be as stressed. That's what I would do anyways.

I don't know if the tissues would hold your scent but you could try. Bring your laundry over to your mom's & put tissues in that...lol

[flowerfairy]

What a great idea cb.

My lot have all got back happily into their usual routines after a week apart from me so i am sure your hamster will be just fine. Its us that suffer more with all that worry!

[Quicksilver]

Thank you all for the advice! I'm will try the tissue suggestion and keep you posted next month on how it went. To make it as stress free as possible for Ralph - he's staying at ours in his cage with family visiting him every day to change water/food.
I'm looking forward to my holiday but know I will miss our little buddy so much. It's nice to know from your experiences that our hamsters soon settle back into normal routines on our return.

[ham888]

We were once away from our syrian for 5 weeks and no issues when we got back. Mind you we found the ham sitting inside a cauliflower leaf that my mum put in the cage!

[Thin Lizzy]

That's great that you've got family visiting him everyday to change his food & water. It's good for them to get the practice in. I would definitely do the tissue thing before you go. I would encourage your family to talk to Ralph each day they come over so he gets use to them.

[Pebbles82]

You could phone him So he can hear your voice! If your family put the phone speaker near the cage so you can talk to him.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Lol Serendipity

[Quicksilver]

Made me laugh Serendipity ! I talk to Ralph a lot -I often wonder if he knows what I'm on about....! Thanks for all your advice.