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Old 04-18-2018, 12:15 AM  
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Need Advice for new Hammy

For the first week or so I would keep her bowl topped up, it doesn't have to be completely full but there should be plenty of food there at all times, once she's settled then you can't leave it to empty before refilling.

I would do food & water when she's awake especially as she's sleeping under the water bottle & you may wake her & startle her.
Does she run in her wheel? That's a good time to do things, you know where she is, she'll see you coming & although she may be nervous you won't suddenly spook her.

It's not unusual for them to just run & hide at the sight or sound of you for the first few days so don't worry, spend lots of time just talking to her quietly & gently so she can get used to your presence, you could also try the tissue trick (putting plain white toilet tissue up your sleeve for a few hours then shred it up & put it in the cage) to help her get used to your scent.
If you have to approach from above with your bin cage then go slow & make sure she can always see you coming, try to approach from the side as much as you can with a top opening.

What house does she have? Sleeping under the water bottle isn't unusual, some will just burrow down to sleep but it is important that she has a suitable, dark, preferably not plastic house that's large enough for her if she wants to use it. If you don't have an appropriate house use a cardboard box, no base on deep substrate with a hole cut out for a door.
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