Easter Chinese Rescue

[velma]

It doesn't have to be a pouch or live permanently in the cage - they just need to know that going in that thing delivers the goods! To move Hector, my robo, into a spare tub when I'm cleaning him, I have a jar I put in his cage. He knows there's always a sunflower seed or two in it for him. You could do that to start just to show that going in gives a treat and then when she's used to that, get her to go in and then walk in to your hand from it to get the seed or whatever her fave thing is. My hamsters are a bit like my cats - the reward has to be high enough

[Cinnamon Bear]

I see what you mean, this sounds strange but I've never seen a pouch, can you upload a pic of yours & maybe I can make her one? It's sounds like a good idea! She hadn't moved from her nest in a few days now, when I'm awake that is...usually she'll come out in the evenings or mornings but not lately.

[cypher]

A pouch is just a little square fleece bag, mines about 4" I think, I can't find the original size on ebay now but this is basically it.
You can see Whisp in hers here.
Should be easy enough to make one but even a small box will do just take time letting her get to feel safe in it, I don't leave mine in the cages but just let them climb in & out most days so they really get to know it & feel comfortable in there, & as velma says certain they're going to find something nice inside

[Cinnamon Bear]

I ordered the wrong size pouch off e-bay. Tried to cancel order & will look for a smaller size, not Syrian size

I just tried picking Izzy up & she bit me as I was holding her for a minute & wouldn't take any seeds. Looks like she'll be a hamster I can only feed seeds to when I see her

[cypher]

I would just stop trying to pick her up for now, give her a break, offer seeds but just let her come to your hand if she wants to, if not leave a few seeds there & walk away so she knows you being there gives her some reward without feeling threatened, it may just be that you're going a bit fast for her, take it really slow, don't force her & she'll come round.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I hope so & that she is not just settling into a life of seclusion now that she's not being constantly picked up by various people anymore. The vet said to get her used to handling but it seems that this isn't the way to go with Izzy. It is just making things worse She may be too set in her ways to ever be a cuddly hamster. But if so that's ok I'll still give her the best home that she can be happy in even if includes limited contact for now.

I've only picked her up 2 times not including the vet trip. But soon she will need a cage clean so she'll have to get picked up for cleanings every 2-3 weeks. She doesn't seem like a hammie that would enjoy a bigger cage, she seems to enjoy her little cage a lot. But I will continue to think on this and will have a lid made for a bin cage just in case I want to put her in one in the future?

[cypher]

I tend to let my hams be who they are, if they want to interact with me I love it but if they prefer to spend more time without being bothered that's fine too, don't forget that she's had a lot of big changes recently, she's old & she's in a small space where big hands appear more threatening, you don't need to pick her up much so I'd give it a break until you can find something she's happy to climb into but even with that go slow.
Ideally you do want to be able to handle her just to do health checks but if you try to do it too often you may just go backwards with her & make it harder.

[Cinnamon Bear]

That makes sense!

[Cinnamon Bear]

Decided today to upgrade Izzy to Maddi's current bin cage soon. Maddi's getting upgraded too (talked about that on her thread). I just called Pet-Co & asked if she would be too stressed in a bigger cage? They said, no, the bigger the better (sounds familiar)?

Obviously the forum knows more about saying the bigger the better but I wanted to check with the manager I bought her from as she knew Izzy.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Izzy is finally in her new bin cage! She seems to love it! FREEDOM No more Critter cage! She can have luxury living now, in comparison anyways!