ummm, should I get a better style cage?

[suga]

I have a habitrail cage for Fuzee that I think I may have to change :-(
She's awake now and I have been letting her get food from my palm and was going to start lifting/holding her for as long as I could - you know start taming. My hand is at an ackward angle and i don't know whether I should transfer her to a big box and then try and do walking onto palm stuff, or just go and get her a more suitable cage sometime this week.
She has in her cage some stick things that go into shapes, and she uses this to get up to the door.... she will climb out of here into my hand but then gets scared (we're both scared by then) and starts to wiggle. I can't get her back into the cage easily at that point, which is a bother cos I don't want her terrified and difficult to then pick up. She did just get on to the table and poked her nose at me when i cupped her back into the cage - she's a slippery fish, let me tell you ;) LOL.
So should I get a better style cage and if so can anyone recommend something?
Do i get big box to transfer her into?
Do I continue to let her climb on my hand and have my hands over a box box on the table that she can be easily put into....
Any advice would be appreciated....... I've become a really girl on this ........

[racinghamster]

Hi suga. I would opt for either a Gabber Rex (although quite large at 71 x 45.5 x 29cm high, it allows much more space, especially for a syrian! Or, a ferplast Duna. These are a bit smaller, but have a half shelf with ladders inside and again, allows the hamster a good space.

The real beauty of these cages, is that you can take off the whole lid and interact with the hamster(s) inside, without having to look for other options like boxes.

Both cages retail at around between £24.99-£26.99p depending on where you buy them. If you have a retailer near you, they might sell these. Or go online and do a search, or look at ebay!

Habitrail & Crittertrail I feel are more aimed at children, rather than the hamster. Both the cages I have mentioned would benefit you far better and letting Fuzee Fi nose around and come to you is far easier with these open lidded cages.

I hope you find something to suit. x

[suga]

I think what she has had the moment was okay for her to start to feel settled and thankfully it will dismantle down to almost nothing. I will have a look at the other options and see what is around. Thanks for the advice.....

[souffle]

I don't think you should rush out for a new cage just yet. As you say just dismantle down to the floor making sure she is on a safe surface then you need to be firm and confident and start the handling process. Make sure she can feel your hands round her making a little tunnel so she can slip through your fingers and feel the hands around her body. She may pee and poo and appear frightened but she will be fine. Don't put her back too soon and don't wait for her to come to you. Some hams don't and the taming goes wrong as they become shy. She is young it will be easy. We get one of those fruit bpxes like a lettuce box (cardboard) from the supermarket and make up a little play box with tubes and boxes and sand in a tub. They love to come out and play in it. Lift her from toy to toy low in the box then gradually hold her longer and longer. Place her on your lap and make that another toy. You should always be on the floor or on a large bed when handling in case she jumps. The suggested cages are good and accessable but try and get the taming underway first and you may not need a change

[babyboos]

I would stick with what is familiar for her just now, and remember Habitrail have improved a great deal in the last ten years. One module is not going to be enough for her longterm but by the time she needs more hopefully you will be calling her name and she will be running to the door to be lifted out in your hands. I would try getting her a large box that the whole cage will fit into - if you can then take the top off completely then do this and lift her out - as she is in the box if she jumps she wont go anywhere. The bath also works perfectly for this. Persevere and maintain a minimum of 5 minutes at least once per day now if you can. You should quickly see some results. Stay calm and repeat to yourself over and over that you are in control.

[suga]

she will take food from my palm and is being picked up as you suggest. I have some time off for september weekend so am going to do a bit more taming training with her ....