Blind Hamster

[Teacake]

Next weekend i'm adopting a Syrian hamster Candy, who is blind, she is still quite young and was originally from pets@home but now lives with a nice lady in Wales who felt sorry for her and brought her home from the pet shop.
At the moment she is in a Roddy and likes everything to stay in the same place would it be cruel of me to move her to a Gabber with the same lay out and the shelf taken out when she has settled in here ? or would it be kinder to leave her in her own home ?
Also does anybody have experience with blind hamsters ? any tips or advice would be appreciated
thank you !

x

[Duncton]

Originally Posted by Teacake

At the moment she is in a Roddy and likes everything to stay in the same place ......would it be kinder to leave her in her own home ?

Only you can make the decision whether to move her or not, Teacake. I would suggest that you decide based on where you think she'd be happiest long term - for the rest of her life. If that's in a Gabber, it would be worth the short term disruption, if not, use the Roddy.

Originally Posted by Teacake

Also does anybody have experience with blind hamsters ?

As you said, the main thing is keep things in the same place. I've had two Eyeless Whites and they coped well with shelves, wheels etc, as long as everything was consistently placed. (If they want to jump onto or off a shelf, they need to know how high it is!)

I noticed that they used their whiskers and nose a little more than an undisadvantaged hamster, but that was all. For that reason, it may be helpful to leave the scent marked objects alone, as much as possible, only washing things when they really need it badly!

One major problem my hamsters did have was that they didn't see my hand coming, and tended to "startle". I used to tap the floor or side of the cage near to them to that they could get used to the idea that someone was there before I touched them. They still used to startle a bit but that way I didn't make them "jump" too much!

[Spuds Mum]

I know Batkat has a lot of experience with blind hammies - so I am sure she will help
You know, I would tend to keep her in her rody, if she is happy in there and used to it. Mind you, I like Rodys just as I like Gabbers, so don't see a problem in keeping syrians in them.

Maybe the best idea would be to keep her in the Rody until at least you are both used to each other and then will be able to tell more whether it is likely to cause her stress to move her.

Great news on the rescue Teacake. I am sure Candy will have a wonderful life with you. Her being a special ham will just mean that the place she fills in your heart will be even more special

[suga]

Good for you Teacake. I've not had any experience with blind hamsters but probably would do the same as Spud's Mum suggested. Its a great suggestion though about the tapping on the cage floor to alert hammy that you are there. You can also chat away to her so she knows your there. I'm sure she will get use to you being there.

I didn't think hamsters could see particularly well anyway and know that I always use the same technique when getting a hamster out of her cage. Libear has a basket that she climbs into and then she receives a treat. I'm sure she's intelligent enough to realise the association and it may be something you could do with Candy, that way she'll be out and as you will already have one hand on the basket and you could be blethering away to her, she may not be as startled when she gets a snuggle from you. .

Candy is a great name . I got my user name suga from candy

Looking forward to meeting the new girl soon

[souffle]

Well done Teacake on taking Candy in. Hamsters with special needs often make the most lovely gentle pets and I am sure you will enjoy having her. I would do as Spud's mum suggested too and let her stay in her Rody till get is settled then do a trial in the Gabber so it avoids too much stress at once. Looking forward to meeting her

[Teacake]

Thanks for the replies everybody !
Duncton, i never thought about her not seeing me approach so i will be tapping gently to let her know i'm in the area.

I will see how she settles in before making a cage move she hasn't been handled at all so i think i will work on getting her used to me first before attempting anything else.

Suga - the basket thing made me laugh ! i have a little dove girl , Bingley Teacake who was really jumpy about being picked up when i first got her so i used to lower an empty ice cream tub into her cage and tell her to step on the hamster lift which she did quite happily and sat there patiently while she was lifted out of her cage

I'm very excited about her coming to live with me she sounds such a sweet little girl i cant wait to spoil her !

[suga]

Originally Posted by Teacake

Suga - the basket thing made me laugh ! i have a little dove girl , Bingley Teacake who was really jumpy about being picked up when i first got her so i used to lower an empty ice cream tub into her cage and tell her to step on the hamster lift which she did quite happily and sat there patiently while she was lifted out of her cage

I always use a soft basket to let them get out into also gives Lilbear the choice of coming out. She usually waits by the door when she wants out and then gets in the basket, although the cheeky girl sometimes stands by the door, watches me get the basket and then turns and runs away . Just thinking about it - she won't just step out onto my hands she only comes out now into the basket.