I have a hamster!

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-24-2016, 12:43 PM

Hey guys - so some of you might have already seen some of my posts but the plan was to go to Pets at Home tomorrow and bring home a new bundle of fluff; all being well. Unfortunately, my friend couldn't take me tomorrow, so.. we went today instead! I am now the very proud owner of a male Syrian! He is brown with a white band. There will some pictures to follow but he's very shy so I'm going to give him a while to settle in before I get the camera out. I have a question though; do you guys usually put your hamster, still in their box, in the cage and leave them to venture out on their own? He's been in there for a good 2 1/2 hours I'd say. He's definitely awake - I can hear him rusting, but he hasn't even popped his head out yet. I've never had this before. Any advice will be greatly appreciated

(He's nameless at the minute, I want to get to know his personality first)

candice clews · 03-24-2016, 01:02 PM

Hi, Congratulations on getting a hamster, he sounds incredibly cute! Cant wait to see the pictures and name

I've had three Syrians from pets at home (3 separate occasions) and I have always done the same. I set the cage up before I go and when I get home, I put the box in the cage, and open it up and let the hamster out. I left the box in my hamsters cages for about a week until they were fully familiar and happy for it too be taken out. I found that mine used it as a bed for the first couple of days and when they slowly got used to the new cage and surroundings they were happy to use the bedding I had provided them with to create in their beds.

I completely left mine 48 hours on there own (as recommended) apart from my fudge, who was out running on my lap and in his ball 2 hours after I got him lol! All hamsters are different, some take longer than others to settle in, once he makes a bed then take the box out as it wont be needed. If he is still using it then leave it In until he stops xx

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-24-2016, 01:10 PM

Thank you! I'm very excited to bond with my little fluff ball

I've always done the same with all of my hamsters. Some have taken longer than others to start exploring their new homes but I've never had a hamster this shy/nervous to start investing a little - I'm worried he's going to stay in there all night

Pebbles82 · 03-24-2016, 01:58 PM

I read somewhere, when we got ours, to let them out of the box and run into their cage, but it sounds a bit risky to me! They might run off somewhere else. Charlie started out with a terrible 3 tier rotostak unit. They didn't have boxes to take hamsters home in and told me I had to bring something in - so I took the bottom tier in - so he was already in it when I got home and I just attached the top bits.

Maybe you could put a trail of tempting bits of food near the box - that might tempt him out. I'm sure he'll come out after dark and make a nest. Just make sure you have a nice big pile of torn up white toilet paper in there for him to build a nest with

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-24-2016, 02:06 PM

I couldn't do that, I'd be too scared of them running off and not being able to find them/get them out! Thank you - I'm going to give him a little longer, the cage door opening/closing seems to make him jump out of his skin, poor fella

but I will definitely leave a little trail of tasty treats to lure him out if no progress is made; maybe in the next hour or so. I've got some toilet tissue in there, I probably should've bought my own today though.. Mum wasn't very happy with how much I used, haha

Pebbles82 · 03-24-2016, 02:37 PM

I'm sure he'll be fine but best to leave him to sort himself out in the cage for 2 or 3 days now.

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-24-2016, 02:44 PM

Will do - shall keep you all updated

pinkneon · 03-24-2016, 07:46 PM

We've always kept those little cardboard boxes in the cage. They've always come out in their own time but have used the box as somewhere to hide or sleep. I only get rid of it when it's so badly chewed that it's unrecognizable!

CMB · 03-25-2016, 12:04 AM

Congratulations on getting your hamster. Hope he settles in soon. He will enjoy having the box to sleep or play in.

BeautyandtheBeast · 03-25-2016, 12:56 AM

Morning guys. I needent of worried, Mr. came out of the box eventually. I hardly heard him all night - only when he was munching on some food

He hasn't used his wheel yet but he didn't have one at Pets at Home (this makes me so upset) so he probably just needs a little time to figure it out. Made a little nest under the platform and is currently sound asleep. Night one has been a success!