Hamster Lost Need Help!

djp2k8 · 06-11-2008, 08:15 PM

I was cleaning out my little fellow on Sunday afternoon & he was running around on the kitchen worktop, which he's done so many times before with no problems. I was drying off his tray & look around & I saw he was behind the microwave washing & leaving his scent on the wall. Then I went to dry his house & then went to check on him again, only to find he wasn't there. I quickly look around the rest of the kitchen & he was no where to be seen. My parents & I pulled out everything in the kitchen, the washing machine, freezer, fridge & also pulled off the kitchen cabinet boards, but couldn't find him anyway. My dad then destroyed the backing of all the ground level cuboards & still nothing. We then all stopped what we were doing & I layed on the floor & listened for anything & I could hear scratching, but no hammie to be seen. I continued to hear scratching every few minutes, but still no sign of him. Then yesterday evening my mum phoned me to say that she had caught a glimps of Terry in the kitchen, but before she could do anything he'd gone again. We now know that he's gone into a gap in the wall where the pipe from the washing machine goes out to the drain. Terry seems to be in the cavity wall, but I'm not sure if it's just the size of the one wall or the whole kitchen walls. I've setup a trap I read about on the net & a few other sites. I have a ladder going up to a bucket, with treats going up the ladder & then in the bucket, along with his normal food. I just went downstairs to check if he was in the bucket, but still nothing. There is signs though that he's been out of the hole again, as I threw a few biscuits under the cuboards leading to the ladder & they were gone, along with one which was on the bottom of the ladder, but he didn't go any further. He's a really crazy hamster at the best of times, he will jump off anything, no matter how high it is. He's so bad that he broke one of his teeth jumping off things (I didn't realise how crazy he was when I got him). Anyway to get back on track, are there any other traps I could lay which would not fail? I don't think he will venture far from the hole as I guess he now feels safe where ever he's hiding in the wall. I'm not sure if he has access to water, but obviously he's got food I've put out, also I'm sure there are insects etc in the wall he'll eat. I was think of something that he would crawl into, but wouldn't be able to crawl back out of, but knowing him, he'd end up chewing his way out. I'm greatful for any help I get, I would really like to get him back asap.

This is him on one of his many escape plans:

Bourne Valley Hams · 06-12-2008, 01:13 AM

Keep going with the bucket trap, that usually works eventually. You need something quite strong smelling in the bucket to tempt him, and also rubbed on the ladder to tempt him to climb. I have had success with apple or peanut butter. He will most likely come out overnight. Don't put food or biscuits outside of the bucket or he will have no reason to go into the bucket.
I have heard of a hamster who lived 'free range' in a house for 3 months before the owners managed to catch him - apart from being a little wild when recaptured he was none the worse for it!!

souffle · 06-12-2008, 03:27 AM

Do you know anyone at all who could lend you a female hamster? I can guarantee if you put a female in a cage this evening in the middle of your kitchen he will come out to her. They cannot resist! You need to supervise all the time of course. Just sit quietly and watch and be ready to grab him. Go steady and just casually pick him up slowly so he does not scoot. When he is out and sniffing at her cage you can block the entrances with a blanket. If you cant catch him as he keeps scooting use a net or blanket thrown over him. This method does not work for females though. Good luck

06-12-2008, 03:29 AM

What a genius idea souffle - I love it! I'll definitely remember that if any of my boys go walkabout.

djp2k8 · 06-12-2008, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bourne Valley Hams

Keep going with the bucket trap, that usually works eventually. You need something quite strong smelling in the bucket to tempt him, and also rubbed on the ladder to tempt him to climb. I have had success with apple or peanut butter. He will most likely come out overnight. Don't put food or biscuits outside of the bucket or he will have no reason to go into the bucket.
I have heard of a hamster who lived 'free range' in a house for 3 months before the owners managed to catch him - apart from being a little wild when recaptured he was none the worse for it!!

When I was younger another hamster I had escaped from her cage & we didn't know where she was the whole time & she eventually appeared in the cuboard under the stairs two weeks later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

Do you know anyone at all who could lend you a female hamster? I can guarantee if you put a female in a cage this evening in the middle of your kitchen he will come out to her. They cannot resist! You need to supervise all the time of course. Just sit quietly and watch and be ready to grab him. Go steady and just casually pick him up slowly so he does not scoot. When he is out and sniffing at her cage you can block the entrances with a blanket. If you cant catch him as he keeps scooting use a net or blanket thrown over him. This method does not work for females though. Good luck

Great idea, but I don't know anyone who has another syrian hamster, let alone a female one.

souffle · 06-12-2008, 07:56 AM

Maybe you could put an ad in the local shop and ask if anyone has one you could borrow just for a few hours? Be patient and sit up late at night and I'm sure he will pop out. They often return to their cages so you should leave that available and open in a place he can get in to it.

djp2k8 · 06-12-2008, 09:13 AM

I will put his cage out & hopefully he will go into his house & go to sleep in it, rather that just take all the bedding out & take it into the hole. I will keep my fingers crossed that it works. Just wondering, how long can hamster survive without water & food?

arikata · 06-12-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djp2k8

I will put his cage out & hopefully he will go into his house & go to sleep in it, rather that just take all the bedding out & take it into the hole. I will keep my fingers crossed that it works. Just wondering, how long can hamster survive without water & food?

If you don't catch him in the next couple of days maybe leave some cucumber near his hidey hole? He can get nourishment and moisture in one then. Hope you catch him soon!

Ness · 06-12-2008, 09:24 AM

well there was a topic about a hamster being left by it owner in a cage for about a month, I don't think he had food or water for most of it. I would leave food and cucumber out though

arikata · 06-12-2008, 09:41 AM

Hamsters are very resourceful creatures. They have a good sense of smell and can track down food and water easily. I wouldn't be suprised if your hammy is feasting on woodlice!! Don't wory about him starving. If anything hunger could drive him back into your arms