Terrified Hamster

[Nuts'N'Bolts]

So, I just got two new dwarf hamsters. The first one is Nut. He was given to me by a friend who wanted two girls, but got a girl and a boy at the store. While at the store, the employee who handled the hamsters for her dropped Nut (the boy) on the floor, Nut ran, and then they proceeded to chase him all around the store before finally catching him. It wasn't until after she brought him home that she found out he was in fact a boy. Not wanting to bring him back to the place of his trauma, she offered him out and I took him home. He is absolutely terrified of everything and spends most of the day and night burrowed in his bedding. Noise, hands, my face, movement... everything frightens him. Having done my research and knowing that dwarf hamsters are social creatures, I thought having a friend might help. So I got Bolt. Bolt came home with no problems, and in fact, already seems perfectly tame. From the first time he came out of his travel box, he's been happy to be handled and is overall really mellow, and sees my hand as a short of elevator to go to new interesting places. But I tried putting them together and Nut is terrified of Bolt and just shakes or runs away from wherever Bolt is. When I got Bolt, I got a new larger cage since the one Nut came in was pretty small. But Nut is afraid of the new cage, and of Bolt, so currently Bolt's in the new cage and happy, and Nut is staying in the old cage where he is somewhat calmer and less fearful. But really, everything scares this hamster.

Sorry this post is kinda long, but I wanted the whole story out. Any suggestions on how to tame Nut and help him get over his fear? I'd also rather eventually be able to have both hamsters in the same cage. Nut's fear makes it really hard to clean his cage, too.

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

First off, Hi and Welcome to HC!
Poor little Nut he sounds like he has gone through an awful time I'll bet hes really glad hes got such a wonderful home now (even if he doesnt show it ). Since nut is new to your home it is not uncommon for him to be very nervous of the new smells and sounds and other factors of his behaviour may depend on his species. Do you know exactly what species of dwarf Nut is? If not do you have a photo of him and of Bolt? Knowing the species will really help the forum to guide you. As for the actual taming if you give Nut a few days to settle in before handling him it can make things a lot easier. Then you can start introducing your hand with treats on it and just leaving it in the cage for as long as possible even if he doesnt come near it. Eventually, (and this is the part that can depend on the species) he will begin to realise that you are friendly and start to sniff you or even if you are very lucky climb onto your hand. It can be a long process but there are lots and lots of threads on here that will guide you through the process of getting Nut used to you. Just neve give up on it!

As for Bolt he sounds like a lovely hamster but you may not want to keep the two together with Nut being so nervous and them being from different litters. It may cause fighting between them and it may make taming Nut harder but there are plenty of dwarf hamsters that live alone very happily so no need to frett over that.

Nut and Bolt are very lucky to have you as an owner and I bet in time Nut will become an amazing friend to you.

[SnickersTheFirst]

I hate to say it but the chances of them living together really are slim. Hamsters from the same litter often don't get on so if they're from different litters, it's even less likely for them to get on. Dwarf hamsters aren't like gerbils or rats that NEED to be kept in pairs, it's more of an optional thing.

I'd keep them in the cages they are in atm and let them live seperately, it prevents stress and injury.

[fluffymunchkins]

Welcome to the forum
Poor Nut does sound a bit traumatised It may just take some time for him to settle down. I would keep him in the smaller cage on his own with lots of places to hide and make him feel safe.