Hammie Suddenly Stressed

[SeleneNite]

Hi all!

New hamster servant here. I got a 4 month old Syrian male hamster who I named Rowan. He has been quite socialized before I bought him. He's been an absolute dream so far despite my beginner mistakes as a new hamster owner. I have him house in a 700x470x410mm cage with a second story. Plenty of food, two water bottles upstairs and downstairs, a wheel, and plenty of chew toys ranging from wood to loofah to cardboard.

Over the course of the week, I have been able to pet him, put him in his ball, and last night I was finally able to hold him in my hands for a while and he was happy as can be. Now I did do a full clean of his cage last night as well, but his old chew toys that he wasn't very interested in along with some new ones I bought him went in.

When he heard me come home today, (and I do always try to enter my room quietly), he heard me and woke up to greet me. He was stretching a whole lot. He seemed so content.

Then I did something stupid, and I think I accidentally really stressed him out. I don't know what to do and he's exhibiting behaviors he has NEVER shown until now.

I made a sort of squeaking sound at him. If I put my front teeth against my lip and kinda "suck air through" it creates a little "squeak" noise. Not high pitched, but as a former cat and dog owner it's always delighted them. And I just mindlessly did it with Rowan. He was very curious about it, he scuttled right over to the front of the cage and was just looking at me sort of sniffing the air with his little whiskers going. He honestly seemed more curious than anything, but I wonder if the noise made him feel a bit territorial?

Because ever since then, he's been very restless in his cage tonight. Zooming around a whole lot. Grooming more than usual. Climbing more than usual. He's started chewing the bars and he's NEVER done that before. He even chattered his teeth at me for the first time, so I've been trying to give him some space.

I know I've messed up but I'm not entirely sure how. He's such a sweet little thing, and I hate seeing him stressed like this. Any help would be much appreciated.

-Rowan's (idiot) mother.

[Aegis]

I've accidently scared my hamster before too, and after a while they'll be okay. Just make sure that the room his cage is in is quiet and calm, and eventually he'll chill out. Also continue to give him attention after he stops freaking out so he will re-bond with you, but little mistakes with hamsters aren't really that bad. He will definately go back to his normal self after a while. I hope all goes well!
-Aegis