New cat problems?????

[horseyhammygirl]

Recently, we have obtained my nan's old cat, Solomon, when she passed away. He is a very sweet cat and I love him to bits, but I can hardly ever get my hamster out at all because of it, and poor Smudge (my hamster) has been hiding behind his wheel whenever I've opened his cage door, because he sometimes sees Solomon going past.

Solomon tends to ignore Smudge, but once he actually jumped on top of his cage (luckily Smudge is a heavy sleeper, so he didn't wake up) and that really scared me, though afterwards he left him alone.

We've had Solomon for a month now, and Smudge for 2 years and it's certainly not an option to get rid of either of them.

There's no space to move Smudge's cage to, and we can't shut him in his own room, because then Solomon can't get to the living room, and that's his most favourite place in the whole house.

I'm really worried that if I get Smudge out and play with him, even if I take him upstairs and shut the door, that when I have to take him back to his cage (which is downstairs), Solomon will either eat him, or terrorise him to death!

Are there any tips or advice on this situation?????

[Piebald]

Can you secure Solomon in the living room and take Smudge out in a bedroom? Seems that some compromises will have to be made. Solomon will be fine in the living room. You are right not to leave them out together. Also consider getting a tall bureau for Smudge-- it can replace a shorter one so makes use of available space.

[Pebbles82]

Agree with Piebald. You might need to take Smudge somewhere else to get him out - I find the hamster ball is a good way of carrying them from one room to another - then you could either set up a playpen area in the bathtub or your bedroom maybe.

It doesn't sound great that Smudge is in the living room really as that is the main place Solomon will be and Smudge will sense all the cat smells. Is there any chance you could fit Smudges cage in your bedroom? eg on top of a chest of drawers? Usually the stuff on top of chests of drawers is small stuff that can go other places like drawers or window ledges.

[climber008]

Cats are tricky. Trust me, I know! I would try to persuade Soloman to go into another room (or outside if he is an indoor/outdoor cat). This will probably be the best scenario for all concerned if you can manage it. If not, I would try to transport Smudge in some safe container/ball.

[horseyhammygirl]

Smudge isn't directly in the living room (sorry if I didn't make that clear!) he's in the corridor to the kitchen from the living room.

He's not an option in my room, because he's incredibly noisy at night, and it's impossible to get any sleep at all at night because he climbs about, falls about, runs about... just generally makes a bit of a noise!

Also, Solomon has free-access to my room, because otherwise he scratches at my door for 'feeding time' at 5:00am.

I do have a hamster ball, should I transport him in that??

[racinghamster]

Hmmmm. My incline would be to put your hamster`s safety before anything else. Even if it does mean keeping the cat out of your bedroom. If the hamster is already two years old, then it makes sense that he needs your attention more due to his age. Although he may slow down more anyway and sleep more as a consequence of that, but still be active during the night as hamsters tend to be. But then so are cats. If your saying the house is more open plan and the cat has free access to all the rooms, then your stuck unless you use your own room to keep the cat away.

Solomon will have to learn to some adjustments at least while you have Smudge. And yes, using a ball to transport the hamster is probably a safer way than just holding him as he could jump or bite. If his cage is big enough, he may not actually need too much time outside to run about unless he`s used to that routine. It would be a shame for him to miss out because the cat has arrived. x

[herbi7]

I recently had a kitten move in with me and I had to move my hams out of the living room. They now sleep in the bathroom... Not everyone could make this work, it works as its just me in here so I can regulate the temp and humidity. They play in my bedroom and I carry them in their balls between the two rooms while the cat stays in the living room with the door shut. I make sure there are two doors shut between them at all times when they are out, and the bathroom door stays shut the rest of the time so the cat never gets in. He is very interested in them so I don't think he would leave them alone if he had access to their cages. And they get stressed if he is about. I'm not sure if they would get used to his presence, I know some hamsters do but they are quite timid both of them so I feel it's best and safer all round if they never come into contact. The cat also has no access to me at night as he is needy and sociable at unsocial hours, I'm lucky that although my flat is one-bedroomed I have plenty of doors between everything so I can close two door between me and the noisy hams and me and the noisy cat at the same time!

[flowerfairy]

I have my four hamsters in my bedroom. Karlie wooden wheels have helped with the noise.

I have two dogs and I just couldnt relax if there was any chance of them getting the hammies (dogs cant get upstairs).

Hope you find a way to keep Smudge safe.

[horseyhammygirl]

I think it's sorted out now!

Smudge's cage is going to stay put, but at 7:30 pm, I will shut Solomon out of the room, put Smudge in his ball, let Solomon back in, and take Smudge to my room to play.

At 8:00pm, I will put Smudge back in his ball, get Solomon out of the room, put Smudge back and let Solomon back in!


Thanks so much for your help!!!!!!

[racinghamster]

So is Smudge awake at these times or are you waking him up to put him in a ball for the sake of the cat? If Smudge is sleeping I would just leave him be. But obviously if time allows, work around your hamster rather than the cat. x