Help! Very temperamental new Syrian.

[Teddy001]

Unbroken floor space is much desired than levels. I’ve been most successful building trust with my hamsters, by going at their pace. I usually start with letting them settle for a few weeks, other than checking on them. Then start with talking in an soothing voice. Then if the hamster seems curious when I’m speaking, offer an treat. If hamster runs and hides, or shows fear of my hand, go back to just speaking to them.
Bonding, taming can take a while, and lots of patience. You may want to try to place unscented toilet paper, in your shirt, to gather your scent, then place it in the hamsters cage.

[Clairajane]

Our old hamster Sparky loved the old cage. She loved all the ramps and levels, plus she used to spend a huge amount of time in her playpen which was huge and she had the full run of the sitting room in the evenings. This little guy hates the playpen and just hides in the box we use to get him in and out. We have ordered an Alaska cage but it still hasn't arrived. It's now expected to get here on Monday. Gus will come to the bars if you call him and will take treats from your fingers but still flinches at the slightest thing and flip onto his back to play dead. He has bitten both of the kids and drawn blood - once when he tried to climb out of the playpen and my son had to gently put a hand under him and pop him back in. And my daughter through the bars when she tried to stroke him. I'm not convince we will ever be able to handle him but he is still very cute. We will see if things change when we get his new cage. We have done the tissue thing and continue to follow the advice we have received on here and will continue to persevere. We were very lucky with Sparky as she was such an outgoing, cuddly little hamster who loved to be handled smooched!

[Clairajane]

Just a quick update. Gus has suddenly come around and has now decided he likes us. Practically overnight he decided he was happy to be handled and is now a very happy little hampy. We are ecstatic ❤

[Quicksilver]

Just been reading through and am very pleased for Gus. That's great news that Gus is happy with new home and more settled.

[cypher]

Really good to hear that Gus has settled now & is enjoying interacting with you.

[Pebbles82]

Very pleased Gus has come round! It can take a while for them to feel confident. He looks adorable (and cheeky) and is lucky to have such a nice play area out of cage.

Re the cage - agree the Rosewood Pico isn't good - especially with the house at the top. What replacement cage did you get? The Alaska is a good option and the 28cm trixie wheel on zooplus.

Re moving them over - it can be stressful but it can also be a smooth transition if you prepare. I find it helps to let them play in the new cage a couple of times - a couple of days before moving them over. So have it with new substrate in and a few toys and a toy or two from the old cage and something to hide in or under and let him play in it. When he wants to come out put him back in his old cage and put the old toys back in the old cage again. You could either do that again a day later. Or then move him over after just one explore. I think two is better but one is better than cold turkey!

On the day you move him over - put him somewhere safe - a pet carrier maybe - for a couple of hours if it's daytime and he can sleep. Then take all the old bedding out of the old cage and spread it on top of the new bedding in the new cage and move the house, toys etc across to the new cage (without cleaning anything) and try and set it up in the same or very similar layout - eg house, wheel, toys etc in the same place they were to each other before. Also move his nest and hoard across inside the house without cleaning them out,

He should settle in very quickly doing it that way. It's tempting to leave them in the new cage during the first play if they're enjoying it but then they can panic and it can take another couple of weeks settling in time and taming set back - i think a gradual transition works best.

[Clairajane]

I got the Alaska cage and the transmission went really smoothly. He absolutely loves it!! He has come on in leaps and bounds and is a cheeky, friendly little chap now ❤

[Sasha04]

Glad that Gus is settling in!