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Old 10-07-2018, 12:22 PM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Hamster stressed in new cage

I reckon it will be a couple of weeks for her to settle and as the others say - just leave her to it and don't move things around or clean her out while she's settling in. It's usually an idea, when changing the cage, to move all the old bedding over so the whole cage smells familiar and try and put things in similar places - then they accept the new things a bit better. They are still a bit stressed at first because their whole world just changed! I've tended to do a transition with our hamsters and let them play in the new cage the day before with some bedding and toys and then move them the day after. I did it cold turkey once and our hamster was also very stressed - and it took 10 days before he stopped looking terrified and shaking - it was quite upsetting. But he did settle and when he did he was happy as larry and almost smiling!

Did you move her hoard as well (or some of it)? She is probably anxious abut it disappearing if not.

One thing as well, if it's a move to a larger cage, is they can feel a bit exposed from above so its a good idea to have plenty of toys and some hanging things like a rat sputnik as well as a shelf, and a large floor tunnel (I like the cork logs) so they can sit under things and enjoy the space without feeling too exposed. They also need somewhere dark to nest so a good sized house or under a shelf sometimes.

You could try scattering some of her food each day for a while - still put some in her bowl but scatter some as well. Foraging for it will help distract her from being scared.

Otherwise just leave her a few days. After that then adding a new thing might be accepted ok if it gives more overhead cover, but definitely don't do any changing things or clean outs for a couple of weeks.

I'd also like to know which cage she's in
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