New Member with a problem

Isleofman · 03-04-2012, 05:07 AM

Hi All

I have just discovered this site thanks to google and now i need some help

We have adopted a Hamster from our local RSPCA/MSPCA her name is mrs wriggles and she has settled in very well, however the cage she came in was a bit small for what i wanted , the cage she was in was a fairly bog standard cage from petsathome she i have got her a new one which is below

So yesterday i put her in the new cage for 10-15 minutes and she seemed ok ish, and last night i put her in it and she just stood there in the same spot just stared like she was fixated and went into a tube she had in her old cage and stayed there for 5 mins, so my wife took her out and put her back in her old cage incase she was scared, when we put her back in her old cage she went directly to her bed which is fairly big , this new cage has several beds scattered around, now my question is how do i get her used to the new cage without stressing her out

thanks in advance

New Cage

Isleofman · 03-04-2012, 09:52 AM

Here is an update

Mrs Wriggles is 1yr old which i forgot to mention in the first post.

We have put the base of her old cage in the new cage and she seems OK now she has decided to sleep in the tubing that's on the new cage, do you think i should remove her old base now and let her be in her new cage ?

Isleofman · 03-04-2012, 09:54 AM

LOL

Another update, Mrs Wriggles has now moved bedding into the tubing ?

What Now

samzyzg · 03-04-2012, 09:57 AM

All i can think of is when moving her over, put down her own bedding and substrate from her previous cage... Just putting things around that she is familliar with and that smells like her.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 03-04-2012, 10:01 AM

Welcome to the forum, and I'd go for what samzyzg suggested, but also maybe put the cage on the floor during playtime with the big door open, then let her wander in and out as she likes? I know it might be difficult with such a big cage, but it could be worth a go if its at all possible.
Oh another option would be to add more toys so she has less open space - it might not help, or it might make her feel more secure in the bigger space.

You definetly did the right thing in getting her a bigger cage, so its just a case of patience until she settles in there I think.

**Hamtastic** · 03-04-2012, 10:45 AM

Welcome!

I think your ham will be happy in this cage, and those above gave great advice. It's often a matter of making a ham comfortable before it can enjoy its surroundings. So if your ham looks scared, it's less because of its cage dimensions and more about how it's set up, I think. If you see where your ham is nesting and place some hidey toys around it and a wheel nearby, it will eventually explore that small area and be comfortable in it. Then you can place enticing toys and treats farther apart, and maybe move the wheel too, and your ham will expand its zone of comfort.

If you have a particularly shy ham, I highly recommend a Wodent Wheel, as it has an enclosed front, which is so good for scared hams who want privacy.

Lougarry · 03-04-2012, 10:48 AM

All the advice above is sound. If you can;t find a Wodent Wheel then this one:
Rat Wheels & Balls : Enclosed LARGE SAFE Senior Rodent Wheel - Rat, Degu Hamster 28cm : www.EquineCanineFeline.com the place to buy all your Pet Products, Horse Products and Pet Supplies online
is of a similar design.

Isleofman · 03-04-2012, 01:09 PM

Here is an update

Mrs Wriggles is 1yr old which i forgot to mention in the first post.

We have put the base of her old cage in the new cage and she seems OK now she has decided to sleep in the tubing that's on the new cage, do you think i should remove her old base now and let her be in her new cage ?

Another update, Mrs Wriggles has now moved bedding into the tubing ? do u remove her old base ?

samzyzg · 03-04-2012, 01:18 PM

If you think she is settled then yes, also i would watch with the sleeping in the tubes, its not idea for hamsters, it can cause problems with breathing.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 03-04-2012, 01:19 PM

Its up to you if you remove the old base or not, but I'd remove the tubes on the new one for now, at least temporarily. You can find ways to block the holes and that would probably be best as sleeping in tubing really isn't very good for hamsters unfortunately.