Signs of stress?

Enh98 · 08-30-2015, 08:02 AM

I'm a little obsessed with making small changes to Nigel's cage...moving a shelf, adjusting a kabob, etc. I've read from others that even small cage changes can cause a hamster to be unnecessarily stressed. What are some signs of stress to look for? He woke up while I was refilling his water bottle and I went to give him some yogurt drops and he bit me for the first time - he was hanging onto my finger and wouldn't release. Stress? Mad at me for moving his shelf? Or just excited and smelling the scent of yogurt drops on my hand?

Piebald · 08-30-2015, 08:14 AM

Um, "D", all of the above?

Hard to say but some hams can be grumpy when first woken.
How old is Nigel?

cypher · 08-30-2015, 08:51 AM

They don't usually hang on to your finger like that if they smell food, more likely to just nibble or possibly give a bit of a nip so either he's getting a bit stressed or as Piebald suggested it's a case of the just woke up grumps!
I wouldn't fiddle with his cage too much tbh, if he seems to like the way things are then best leave be, if something doesn't seem right then try to figure out to fix it so you can just do it once & he should be happy with that.

Pebbles82 · 08-30-2015, 10:25 AM

Signs of stress can be all kinds of things. Sometimes it is zooming around looking a bit over-excited and doing repetitive things. Sometimes it is overgrooming. Sometimes it is going reclusive or looking nervy and shaky. I guess aggression can also be a sign of stress. Yes it's best to get things in a certain way and then leave them there. Resist the temptation to keep rearranging - interesting for us, but stressful for the hamster. It would be like coming home and finding someone had moved everything round in your room each day and you couldn't find anything.

Enh98 · 08-30-2015, 11:10 AM

I know I just need to leave my hands off. I moved his litter box to the spot he chose
as his potty spot, which meant the wheel had to be shifted an inch or so, which meant the shelf had to be shifted an inch or so and his kabob moved.
It was like a domino effect. But I think things are settled now. I'm sure it was a combo of him being confused and mad at me for rearranging his house!

Enh98 · 08-30-2015, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piebald

Um, "D", all of the above?

Hard to say but some hams can be grumpy when first woken.
How old is Nigel?

Nigel was born June 7...so almost 3 months!

Pebbles82 · 08-30-2015, 02:29 PM

It's difficult getting the set up right at first. He'll be used to the changes in a week's time. It might be an idea to give him some space for a week now and he'll stop being grumpy!

hammy2 · 08-30-2015, 03:06 PM

Young adult hams can be particularly feisty you must have startled him by catching him unawares. make sure hes fully awake before putting your hand near him. Hams ears tend to be half mast when half asleep

If you've just changed somthing in his cage he may have been up all night

Coldpaws · 08-30-2015, 05:08 PM

Totally agree with hammy2s comments above. I think you might've startled him esp if he was still groggy with sleep & didn't know what had invaded his space.

The only time ours have bit & held on is when they're scared, usually as they couldn't see what was approaching. It might help to talk to him when you approach & as others have advised, only move things about if he's sleeping when necessary. Don't be too angry at yourself, I'm sure he's fine. If it keeps happening you might have to look into it more.

Thin Lizzy · 08-31-2015, 07:29 AM

Some hamsters hate being disturbed if they're still waking up and you dangling your finger will have startled him. What with that and the cage changes, it's hardly surprising he's a bit stressed. Some will take longer to adapt to any changes, they can be quite ocd when it comes to their home.
I wouldn't make any more changes for a while. Get to know him and let him get familiar with you again.
Hope your fingers ok.