Very frightened hamster, desperate owner.

[nyannies]

I got a tiny albino syrian hamster no more than a week ago. I know its very early to say but it was very friendly in the beginning. I don't even think it knew it should be afraid after being taken home. I was so happy and excited that both of my hamsters were happy after such a short time! But.. Now it seems very scared? Too scared.. I've never seen a hamster act like that before. I haven't handled it without it climbing onto my hand or approaching my hand first and only offered treets, leaving it on the bedding and taking my hand away if I notice it being hesitant. It doesn't bite but I gave it a little treat and it was hesitant at first but took it, then after giving him a seed he just freaked out and backed away in a corner and tried to hide behind his house even though I was at the other side of the cage offering the treat. I'm very worried I might have scared him since we had to clean it's eye (it was stuck so badly we thought it was injured, had to hold it for the vet). I'm giving it some time until I try to handle it again. What could I do to help it feel less stressed until then? Would providing more hiding places help? Or covering the cage partially with some kind of cloth to make it a little less bright? Should I offer more toys and chews? It seems to just sleep, eat and run on its wheel. When it wakes up it kind of runs around for food and jumps on the wheel for very long, even the wheel running looks scared.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Slow down and let your young pup get back to relaxed. It had a scary experience at the Vets though I am sure what was done had to be done for it's health. Also remember that red eyed animals are much more sensitive to light and a low light to your eyes may be very bright and painful to it's eyes.

Try the towel partially covering the cage but be sure it can't reach the towel as they can shred cloth very quickly and then it is just like fluffy bedding in that it can cause stomach blockage or worse do a horrid injury to a leg. Try placing tissue scented by your own smells in with your Hamster to re-establish what has been lost with it's trust of you. More hiding places and more quiet times with you calmly and softly talking to your hamster may also help. Plus 7 days is not really long enough for you and your hamster to bond and have your pup trust so back up and start over and be patient with your pup and in time I'm sure it will become the sweet and trusting hamster you know it is.

[Thin Lizzy]

Your little ham has had a lot to deal with, a new home and a trip to the vet which will have been a scary experience.
Your ham needs to settle in to his/her home so please avoid cleaning out the cage for at least 3 weeks, this will allow him/her time to mark the cage with their scent and make the cage their own. Do daily spot checks on the toilet area and remove any soiled substrate replacing with a bit of fresh.
The tissue trick really does help with your ham getting familiar with your smell, so do this several times and talking quietly and softly works too.
Hamsters love having plenty of hiding places, even a tissue box will provide this and entertainment too.
Every time your ham makes an appearance in the cage talk to him/her and praise him/her.
7 days isn't long, letting your ham adapt and settle into the new home could take a couple of weeks or more.
It's important to be patient and go at the ham's pace.