Settling in period

Babycakes · 09-30-2013, 12:45 PM

Hi, I am rather inexperienced with Syrians, its been some time since I had one. Anyway you may have read my previous thread about my 3 month old rescue from Gumtree. Well I got him yesterday and as I didn't have a cage he had to have a bin cage that was too small. That was until today when I managed to buy him a hamster heaven. He is very nervy, as to be expected but I want to know how long to leave him before I start taming him? X x x

**Axeria** · 09-30-2013, 12:49 PM

I started the taming the day I got him as my lil guy was so comfortable with me petting him and being near him. But, this is something I think differs alot for diferent hamsters, a more cautious personality will need more time than a bold one.

If he dosent seem frightened abut you talking to him or being near the cage I cant imagine why you cant start now if you want, if he seems very frightend then back away and give him more time to realize that he actually is a very safe and lucky boy ^_^ That is my personal oppinion anyway...

Babycakes · 09-30-2013, 12:55 PM

Thank you, I just tried to get him out and he wasn't at all happy so I think I will leave him for tonight and try again tomorrow . My Chinese and hybrid were fine on day 1, my robo is manic lol x

**Axeria** · 09-30-2013, 02:41 PM

Yeah just give him some time then

my hybrid was very friendly from day one also!

Emanon · 10-03-2013, 01:30 AM

I'll usually leave the hamster in their cage 2-3 days before making any attempt to see if they want to leave the cage yet. Doing this allows the hamster to become familiar with the new home they have and feel safe there, as well as get used to the sights and sounds near it.

You can check the hamster's temperment on day one, simply by opening the door to the cage (or taking off the roof, whatever it is you do to gain entrance) and merely introducing your hand near the hamster while talking in a soothing voice and seeing how they react. Most hamsters will and should even allow you to touch/pet them this early, but unless the hamster has had an overabundance of handling by humans already, it's not wise to pick them up so soon as it will usually freak them out and cause the hamster a longer time to fully trust you.

Just simply spend time by the cage-side when you notice the hamster is awake, speak in a soothing tone of voice, do what you can to interact with it (feed it treats, offer your hand to smell, pet/touch it if it seems friendly). In a day or two, open the cage door and leave it open and when the hamster is ready, it should be interested in exploring outside the cage. Usually they will still be a little skittish at being handled (but far less freaking out about it than simply grabbing them on day one), so be prepared that your hamster might bolt if enclosed by a hand.

Usually though, by this point in time the hamster won't see you as a threat and will be far more interested in exploring/escaping! It usually takes them awhile to get the escape bug out of their system (a week or two I find) and settle to the point where they realize escaping isn't going to happen and things are really pretty good for them as they are anyways so they calm down and enjoy being out of the cage.

Munchalot · 10-03-2013, 02:30 AM

I think it really depends on the hamster's individual temperament. With most of my syrians, I've been handling the day after, and within the week the hamster is happily hand-walking.
On the other hand, my little Fin is probably the flightiest syrian I've owned yet. Before they have all been confident, lively and unfazed little fluffs who were easy to tame.

Fin was terrified from the moment I lifted him out the shop tank. He stressed himself on the way home by chewing out of his box and scrabbling around in the bag, then almost flung himself free onto the pavement! I did the same as you, put him in a smaller bin before I upgraded him into his 110 litre. It took him at least three days to calm down, and he hid under his bridge and screamed at me every time I spoke or tried to touch him. He settled in a bit more after a week in his bigger bin.
It just took patience.

Start off by talking to him gently to get him used to the sound of your voice, and when he gets a little more confident and will come out and explore by himself, and do everything hammies are supposed to do, then try him. If he's still not ready he'll let you know.

With flighty hammies, I'd say leave him 2-3 to begin with, and see how he goes.

Babycakes · 10-03-2013, 01:10 PM

Thanks for the kind advice, I have spent time with him this evening but only a short amount as he had decided he had had enough, he certainly seems a little braver which I am pleased about x