Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Behaviour

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-10-2021, 02:01 PM   #1
SyrianAlabaster
 
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 1
Question New hamster won’t come out of hiding to tame

hi, i’m a first time hamster owner and got my 8-9 week old syrian hamster, Alabaster, a few days ago on a saturday. i’ve left him for about 2 days now to get used to the new environment before i tried to start taming him.

i gave him plenty of bedding and he has quite quickly dug a burrow which he spends most of his time in. i understand this is normal throughout the day as hamsters are nocturnal/crepuscular but he spends quite some time in there at night too.

i have the feeling he is scared of me — understandable in a new environment — but it’s difficult to get him used to me being around when he’s always hiding away. this has also given me other worries such as whether he is drinking, eating, exercising or peeing regularly.

i’ve tried luring him out with blueberries, cucumber and grated of cheese but it hasn’t worked. i’ve also turned off all the lights and been quiet, waiting for him to come out in his own time but he gets scared and hides once he realises i’m there.

does anyone have any tips on how to lure him out of hiding in order to tame him?
any ways to monitor his exercise, eating and drinking habits would be great to

thanks

any tips on how
SyrianAlabaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 05:16 AM   #2
VOESSY
Adult Hamster
 
VOESSY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Portugal
Posts: 306
Default Re: New hamster won’t come out of hiding to tame

I'll give the most frustrating answer - time.

It is super tempting to just get in there and get it going quickly, but if he is hiding away he still needs time to adjust. Two days is really not long so it will probably be quite a bit longer before you get to the point where you can start building trust. First he needs to find his feet and get comfortable, then he might be ready to get to know you.

Let him know you're there, talk to him and put your scent on some paper bedding in his habitat.
With time he might come around to you when he feels more confident and at home. Watch his behaviour and you'll know what little changes happen.

So, time and patience.

Best of luck!
__________________
· Human friend and former attendant to Mocha & Maximus ·
VOESSY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 05:57 AM   #3
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: New hamster won’t come out of hiding to tame

It is only a few days and yes you need patience and time

They actually need approx 2 full weeks to fully settle into a cage after a change of environment and during that time will gradually make habits and scent mark and start to feel at home. It is best not to clean anything for that two weeks or change anything.

That doesn't mean you can't start taming but you need to wait till the hamster shows signs of coming out or coming to the bars independently.

Taming really starts with familiarising yourself with them, so talk to him gently through the bars as much as you can - so he gets familiar with your voice and presence. You could offer the odd treat through the bars as well. But putting your hand in the cage with treats on can scare them off.

So my rule of thumb is - if they come to you at the cage bars, and show signs of wanting to come out in that two weeks then yes get them out for a taming session (let him walk into a tube or ball eg to lift him out then put that down in a large box eg and carry that to the safe enclosure for taming).

If not then wait. After two weeks I would tempt them out with a piece of cucumber in the end of a tube.

But after two weeks the change can be very noticeable and they can be out and about more and more confident.

Your hammy is still a baby and will get scared easily, so it's about building trust and familiarity.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 08:53 AM   #4
Dodo
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 121
Default Re: New hamster won’t come out of hiding to tame

Same advice here! Be patient, take it slow, spend time near the cage in the evening talking, leave a treat behind as you leave, spot clean the cage normally. rub toilet paper on your hands (and keep it up your sleeve for a while) and shred it before leaving it in the cage.
Dodo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2021, 12:21 PM   #5
Engel
Hamster Addict
 
Engel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 923
Default Re: New hamster won’t come out of hiding to tame

Each hamster is different. Some settle in sooner than others. I have only had 1 hamster which was ok to handle after just 2 days. I normally wait about a week before trying to tame. Feed and change water as normal just don't touch him for a few more days.

A little trick to try is to get a bit of unscented tissue and keep it in your pocket or bra (if you wear one) so your scent transfers onto the tissue. After about a day, place the tissue into the cage. This way he can get used to your smell even when you aren't there. Its something I always do, with all my rodents. Seems to work so maybe give it a go?

Afterwards try offering seeds or mealworms and se if he'll take it from your fingers. My robo loved pumpkin seeds (out of the shell. less effort). My syrians took most things off me lol. Good luck and keep us updated!
__________________
🐹Slave to Ares 🐹 - 🐶 2 dogs, 🐷 8 pigs. 🌈 Forever in my heart, 🐹 Lilith, Athena, Nikolai, Ghost & Mania 🐀 Inky & Splat 🐶 Beau ❤️
Engel is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
time, i’ve, hiding, hamster, environment

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:52 AM.