Nervous hamster

Clairealex · 09-01-2013, 12:27 PM

Hi guys,

Was hoping for some advice on a change in my dwarfs behaviour. I'm not too sure if he's ill or not.

I have a monster of a cold. Sore throat, coughing, swollen glands and sneezing every two minutes. I know it's best not to handle him whilst I'm ill and usually my boyfriend would take over with feeding etc (although he's a bit nervous to actually play with him as he's a fast one!) but we're currently dogsitting my boyfriend's parents dog who follows him about everywhere so I've been continuing my wee guys care.

My hamster seems to have changed since the dog arrived. The dog is an old, quiet guy and isn't at all interested in the hamster, but as a precaution the dog isn't allowed in the spare room where his cage is. I think the smells of a new animal have spooked him a bit though as he hasn't ventured from his hidey holes much. I've been checking his food and drink intake and it seems normal and when I have caught glimpses of him he's looked fine. Usually I'd pull him out to make sure everything's ok before letting him get on with it but, as I'm ill, I'm nervous to touch him. I scrub my hands thoroughly before changing his food and if I talk to him through his cage I make sure my mouth is covered but I don't think it would be too clever to handle him until this clears up.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this when new animals come in to the house? Or if this is how they act when they first start coming down with something? It's such bad timing with me being ill too. Part of me is a bit worried he's picked something up as I was handling him before the symptoms started but not sure if its to do with the dog!

**kyrilliondaemon** · 09-01-2013, 02:39 PM

I'd give him a few more days, just keep a close eye on his food to be sure he is venturing out to eat and things

Clairealex · 09-02-2013, 05:37 AM

Thanks! Ill keep a close eye on him and make sure he's still eating and drinking normally!!

**kyrilliondaemon** · 09-02-2013, 04:01 PM

Great, if he is then its likely to just be the dog unless you see anything else to worry about

Clairealex · 09-03-2013, 12:33 AM

His eating and drinking seems normal and whilst the dog was out for a walk I managed to coax him out and have a look at him without holding him. Everything seems ok and he stayed out a wee while with me talking to him but as soon as the dog came back in the door, not even near the room, away he went into his house! So I'm guessing it is just the dog! I did feel bad about not being able to have him out until this clears up but he's in a zoozone 2 so has plenty of space and toys, and now I know it's the dog it's probably best he's allowed to stay in his wee safe zone anyway! Thank you for your help

**kyrilliondaemon** · 09-03-2013, 04:38 AM

I'm glad you're fairly sure its just the dog now

**DrKMcK** · 09-03-2013, 05:03 AM

It's the dog for sure. Animals sense of smell is so much better than ours. He knows full well that the dog is there and that this is a predator. My hams have been with a dog, my Chihuahua, Yoda, all their lives. They have met him, nose to nose, and know he won't hurt them. But if Yoda sneezes, barks or makes noise, they freeze. Your hammy just knows this creature turned up and he doesn't like it. I'm impressed he's brave enough to come out at all LOL. Not to worry. Hope you feel better soon

TinyCath · 09-03-2013, 05:47 AM

My parents came to visit me in my new flat the other week and brought one of our dogs. Like all my dogs at the moment she's elderly, was wearing a 'cone of shame' from a recent operation and posed literally no threat to a hamster; in the past she used to think my gerbils were just smaller dogs and either ignored them or tried to greet them like dogs *eyeroll*.
All it took was the smell of her being in the flat (we didn't even let her into the same room) to send my hamster into freeze mode though.

Just leave your hammy be as best you can until they've calmed down. They should eventually realise all is well if you try keep out of the way and make as little fuss as possible.

Hope your cold gets better too!

Clairealex · 09-04-2013, 12:33 AM

Thank you for all the help

I'm so glad other people have had the same reactions! The dog is only with us for another two days so hammy will have everything back to normal soon.

Now just for my cold to shift so I can actually take him out again! He keeps running into my hand when I'm changing his food. I think he's missing his hallway play zone haha. Poor wee guy!

racinghamster · 09-04-2013, 01:48 AM

When you have a cold or a virus, it`s always a good idea just to do the essentials like feeding and changing the water and have minimal handling. Always wash your hands, which are the culprits for carrying bacteria. Use an anti bacterial hand wash if you can.

If you feel a cough or a sneeze coming on, try and leave the room. This minimizes and spread of spores you might cough or sneeze out and although human colds are viral, it`s a slim chance that a hamster would catch anything, but like any hygiene, it`s best to play cautious. x