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Old 03-08-2022, 04:02 PM   #1
heidii
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Default Hamster isn't motivated by food

I got a hamster a few days ago & have just started the 'maybe' taming process. Only, he has no motivation for food. Not that he's too timid to take it from my hand, but he comes up, gives it a sniff or a little nibble, and then walks away. I've tried many treats - banana coins, meal worms, raisins, dog treats (milk bones?), dried coconut, kibble and sunflower seeds.
I'm not sure as to how I'll bond with him - as I don't want to frighten him and take him out of the cage just to force him to spend some time with me.
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Old 03-08-2022, 04:14 PM   #2
Ria P
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Wink Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

It's way too early for taming. Give him a couple of weeks to settle in and only talk to him.

Not all hamsters are motivated by food. I have and had Syrians who could never be tempted with food.

Often hamsters behave differently in a new environment because they have to get used to it first. Once they start to feel secure and have scented their new home then they start to take an interest in things like humans, treats and out of cage time.

Be patient, you only just got him and in time you will get the chance to bond with him.
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Old 03-08-2022, 04:32 PM   #3
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

You could try the food at a different time of day, for instance, most of mine when they first wake up they are not interested in food at all. Once they have had a bit of a run around and i put them back in their cage they show more interest.
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Old 03-08-2022, 04:47 PM   #4
heidii
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Default Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

I heard that it's about time to start handing them treats 3-4 days after you get a hamster. You shouldn't expect to be able to pick them up, but starting doing the process that early for young hamsters does seem to work.
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Old 03-08-2022, 05:04 PM   #5
Ria P
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Default Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

Quote:
Originally Posted by heidii View Post
I heard that it's about time to start handing them treats 3-4 days after you get a hamster. You shouldn't expect to be able to pick them up, but starting doing the process that early for young hamsters does seem to work.
Ok, i didn't know that. I always let the hamsters settle in first. Have you tried fresh food like a tiny piece of cucumber or broccoli?
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Old 03-09-2022, 05:12 AM   #6
Lilafernim
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Default Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

I think all this also depends on the hamster. I know you managed to get one from a show and normally they are able to be tamed faster than pet store bought hamsters. Also, just differences in personalities. I had quite the shock with Mitzi compared with my previous hamster because she was just constantly a ball of energy, I thought she’d never calm down.

Time is a great healer and it’s way to early to say for sure if something is wrong by not accepting the food. As long as they are still taking food from the bowl just keep gradually trying. If anything seems to startle them just give them space for a while before trying again. For my previous hamster she was tame in a heartbeat but honestly, Mitzi took probably three weeks before she wouldn’t sprint for her life if she saw my hand, and add another two week for me to be able to hold her.

I wouldn’t be disheartened by it, just keep trying as long as nothing is startling, and eventually he will come out of his shell.
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Old 03-09-2022, 03:13 PM   #7
Stanza
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Default Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

Hi Heidii, I guess as long as you can see your hamster is eating and drinking each day, I’d just give it a little more time. He may just be a little nervous until he becomes more settled in. They are all so different as I’m finding out myself. This forum has helped massively.

We are at 10 weeks now and still not at the holding stage, but he will walk over our hands for a treat and where he used to grab it and run he now takes them and will then sit and nibble it in-front of us.
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Old 03-10-2022, 09:35 AM   #8
heidii
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Default Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

I am definitely going to be giving him more time!

I bought him the Rodipet Teddy Junior Hamster food instead of the Syrian because it had more ingredients. Only, I do have to give the protein myself, and I'm unsure of what insects and how many insects to give to make up for it.
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Old 03-10-2022, 09:48 AM   #9
Ria P
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Default Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

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Originally Posted by heidii View Post
I am definitely going to be giving him more time!

I bought him the Rodipet Teddy Junior Hamster food instead of the Syrian because it had more ingredients. Only, I do have to give the protein myself, and I'm unsure of what insects and how many insects to give to make up for it.
This is interesting that the ingredients are different for a Teddy and Syrian hamster because they are both Syrian hamsters. A Teddy hamster is a long haired Syrian and a Goldhamster is a short haired Syrian.

What is the protein percentage difference between the two mixes?
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Old 03-10-2022, 10:26 AM   #10
heidii
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Default Re: Hamster isn't motivated by food

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Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
This is interesting that the ingredients are different for a Teddy and Syrian hamster because they are both Syrian hamsters. A Teddy hamster is a long haired Syrian and a Goldhamster is a short haired Syrian.

What is the protein percentage difference between the two mixes?
I know! I thought it was quite odd too, but more so that because my hamster has long hair, it needs 10 more ingredients? I got it because of those ten ingredients as I just want him to have quite a diverse diet.

Syrian Hamster Food (Junior):
Corn flakes, yellow millet, oat flakes, barley, carrots, pumpkin seeds, rye, parsnip, parboiled peas, beetroot, amaranth, hempseed, buckwheat, brown linseed, parsley leaves, birch leaves, dandelion root, spinach leaves, fennel seeds, golden linseed, sesame seeds, toasted soybeans, hazel leaves (all ingredients are organically sourced)

crude fibre: 7.9 %
crude protein: 14.9 %
crude oils and fats: 9.2 %
crude ash: 3.2 %

Naturally contained minerals per 100 g:
calcium: 250 mg, phosphorus: 560 mg, magnesium: 310 mg, potassium: 650 mg, sodium: 46 mg

Naturally contained trace elements:
iron: 15.96 mg, manganese: 4.66 mg, zinc: 3.21 mg, copper: 0.33 mg
Teddy Hamster Food (Junior):
Yellow millet, corn flakes, barley, pumpkin seeds, oat flakes, rye, carrots, buckwheat, parsnip, clover seeds, parboiled peas, toasted soy beans, hempseed, parsley leaves, rapeseed, beetroot, camelina seeds, quinoa, birch leaves, alfalfa seeds, amaranth, spinach leaves, red clover seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, hazel leaves, marigold petals, evening primrose seeds, poppy seeds, golden linseed, nettle seeds, milk thistle seeds, aniseed, black sesame seeds, brown linseed (all ingredients are organically sourced)

crude fibre: 8.9 %
crude protein: 17.6 %
crude oils and fats: 8.2 %
crude ash: 3.6 %

Naturally contained minerals per 100 g:
calcium: 250 mg, phosphorus: 560 mg, magnesium: 310 mg, potassium: 650 mg, sodium: 46 mg

Naturally contained trace elements:
iron: 15.96 mg, manganese: 4.66 mg, zinc: 3.21 mg, copper: 0.33 mg



Both foods recommend one to two insects in addition to 1-1.5x heaped measuring spoons (that come with the food, I assume). There are no insects in the food itself, either.
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