My new hamster doesn't allow me to pet him. ): - Page 2

n4tive · 06-23-2014, 05:05 PM

Thank you guys for all your answers. ;u; I'll be more patient and I'll definitely keep you guys posted. He's now able to come to the front of the cage for a bit sometimes.

His temporary name's Gyu. c: Also, one of his eyes are red and the other's either black or a really dark red, which is pretty cool. (sorry for the huge & blurry pic. And please ignore the bar ladder thing at the back, it was my younger sis' idea, haha!)

His cage is pretty small right now, but he's small himself and he's awake for only about 1 hour a day, so I guess it should be OK for now. I'm giving myself a month or less to either buy a big cage or diy one myself using the Ikea Detolf or maybe just a bin cage. Any other suggestions or/tips? ^^ I'd like little Gyu here to feel as comfortable as possible.

Also, I'm using pine bedding by Living World. I've read that it causes health problems. Is this true, or would it be better for me to change the type of bedding I use?

oimysizex · 06-23-2014, 05:11 PM

To be fair whilst your taming him and getting him use to you it's "ok" to have a smaller cage, so it's easier to catch him etc, there are lots of threads and tips on here about the ikea detolf cage on here!

NiceCrocs · 06-23-2014, 05:16 PM

Pine bedding contains oils and dusts that are bad for hamsters lungs. Switch to aspen shavings or paper-based bedding immediately.

n4tive · 06-24-2014, 08:45 AM

Guys! D: My hammie's really active now (it's almost midnight) and he keeps on climbing and biting the bars of the cage. Is he bored or stressed? What should I do?

Rubyslippers13 · 06-24-2014, 01:55 PM

Hi

Try not to worry. He's just doing what most hamsters do!!! Read some of the threads on bar chewing. Lots of other's have the same issue. It's very common. I think it's just what they do...whether it is boredom, excitement, wanting to get beyond the bars.....who knows?! You've only just got him so he won't be in a routine of being taken out yet to let off some steam and have a play out. This takes time. Just make sure he has stuff in his cage to stimulate him, a wheel, cardboard tubes, wooden toys to chew etc. I make little dens with small boxes and keep it interesting. My hamster is fairly new too. It's taken me 8 weeks so far to get him to start to trust me and get into an exercise ball in the evening, but we're not at the handling stage yet. Try not to panic. Just read some of the others advice in other threads...I'm learning too. This forum has been great!

n4tive · 06-28-2014, 07:05 AM

Hey! (: Thanks again for everyone who replied and helped.

Gyu's now not afraid to climb out of the cage and into my hand and take some food off my hand. But he sleeps A LOT and only becomes active after 10pm, so I don't get to handle him until then. I've read that we have to handle hamsters at least 3 times a day, so how can I handle him and slowly change his sleeping schedule without stressing him out (and without those teeth chattering).

Also, I'll be cleaning the cage tomorrow. Any tips on how I can clean it without him freaking out after that?

Thank you!

Bandit_Kid · 06-28-2014, 07:13 AM

Aww Gyu! Cool name, he looks a bit like my new guy Foster's

NiceCrocs · 06-28-2014, 07:45 AM

I don't think you really need to handle him 3 times a day, that seems pretty rigid. Margo has learned to ask to come out to play (by window washing at the side of her tank) so I handle her when she wants to play, but some days she prefers to be left alone, and that's okay too. Just listen to your hamster signals on handling.

As for waking him up earlier, I used a method I call 'noisy feeding' that worked really well. You say he usually wakes at 10, so try doing this at 9 o clock; open the cage and just make a bit of a fuss; move some toys around, rustle some bedding, fill his food bowl noisily, just make enough noise to wake him up, but not enough to scare him, and he should stick his nose out and come out to investigate. Don't handle him immediately though, give him about 10 minutes to wake up fully, use the bathroom, grab a drink of water, whatever he needs. He might wanna go back to bed after this, but after a few days his sleep schedule should adjust.

As for cleaning: while he's awake and receptive to handling, move him to a travel cage or safe container. Then clean his cage; remove any soiled substrate and poo you find, and take any bad food out of his pantry (I usually have to throw out all of Margo's pantry cause she has a bad habit of pottying near it. When I do I usually leave a few food pellets in its place with a small treat as a peace offering). Leave about half of the substrate, and replace the other half with new substrate and mix it together, this way it will still smell like your hamster and he shouldn't panic upon being put back in.

**DrKMcK** · 06-28-2014, 02:13 PM

It sounds like your little one is doing nicely. NiceCrocs has basically covered all the bases. Getting a hammy to wake earlier the way Nicecrocs says is exactly what I do with my hams. After a while they get used to it. I call it "accidently" bumping the cage. I rather like the idea of "Noisy feeding"

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n4tive · 06-29-2014, 07:10 AM

I've used the "noisy feeding" method around 9.30pm (it's 10pm now). He woke up, ate and used the potty without being cranky. But now he's back in his house, sleeping - sneaky lil' thing. Anyway, should I try waking him up or just leave him be? He's most active around 11pm onwards.

Not sure if I brought this up, but he has two little tufts of fur sticking out on his lower back/hips. Are those the gland thingies or is he some sort of angel/fairy? xD

Sorry for the bucket loads of questions. ;3; I'm afraid of making a mistake, and I'd really like for Gyu to be as happy as possible.

Thanks!