Moving stress

[Shadow Cat]

Hi all

The UK government's inability to get their act together re: covid and Christmas meant that yesterday me and my hamster had to make a last minute dash to my parents house by car to avoid getting stranded alone for Christmas.

I moved her in a travel case but bought he regular cage with me. I put it in the spare room last night but slept so badly because I couldn't hear her (ironic, right?) as she usually lives in my bederoom and I've grown used to her late night shananigans.

Anyway, she's usually awake by now and I haven't heard a peep from her. I'm worried that the move stressed her out too much. I know hamsters are probably hardier than I give them credit for, and I'm probbaly being paranoid and projecting my general life anxiety onto my pet, but I guess I need some reassurance that an hour long car journey and sleeping in an unfamiliar room isn't going to cause her harm.

I'm being stupid, I know if, but I thought if anyone can understand it will be all you lovely people. Do you have any tips?

[Ria P]

Move her into the room you are sleeping in so you can get a decent sleep and she can sense your presence was my first thought.

I don't think the car journey and change of surroundings would stress her big time but would probably make her tired and in need of a longer rest.

Reason i'm saying this is because i collect rescue hamsters from all over the place, often enough more than an hours drive away then put them in a new cage in a new environment with unfamiliar voices and smells. They don't seem overly stressed and go to sleep after a good sniff around.

If you're worried, i'd check on her, talk to her and give her a treat but she may well go back to bed again.

[Shadow Cat]

I never thought that she might be missing me, most of the time I think she would rather I left her alone. Maybe she's just tired as you say. I'm probably worrying for nothing.

[cypher]

Any big change is a bit stressful for them, the journey, new scents in a new home, even with her normal cage & her usual things everything will be a bit strange for a while & she’ll just need a little time to settle down again.