Behavior Change After Escape

Creampuff · 10-28-2019, 07:24 PM

Hi everyone,
My hamster recently escaped, and I've had her back for 5-ish days. Her behavior seems to be a little different though. She doesn't seem all crazy trying to get out, she's more calm and skittish. She's also in her burrows a lot during the night. Is this normal?

Creampuff · 10-29-2019, 07:53 AM

She also seems less sociable. She is still eating fine though.

JI54 · 10-29-2019, 10:56 AM

Think of it this way. What if you were living in your house your whole life, unable to leave your house and then all of a sudden you find a way out. You're escape and and all of a sudden you're outside and there are new smells, new sights, and new textures. Suddenly, you're cast back in the house and the escape route you took is now closed off.

That might change you wouldn't you think?

I have a pretty lazy Syrian and he escaped recently. I was hoping it would've made him a more energetic ham because he had a taste of freedom but he hasnt seemed to of chanegd much.

Rads · 10-29-2019, 11:31 AM

Suggest giving her some time to readjust, when our first Hamster Forrest escaped for a couple of days in the walls and under the house floor boards he was really angry at getting enticed out and being caught.... he calmed down after a few days but we had to be super wary of him as all he wanted was out...

Creampuff · 10-29-2019, 12:20 PM

Okay, thank you! She may have been traumatized by our two cats; they may have chased her - maybe that was why I found her (well, to be more accurate, one of the cats was sniffing her and we looked down and there she was!) under the stove.

Flossypet · 10-29-2019, 12:22 PM

it is completely normal for hamsters to lose their trust in the safety of their cage for a while after escaping. they go through a lot when they escape, so it takes them time to re-adjust to a normal life. they may end up being slightly less reckless after an escape, but only a little.