Best Place For Cage?

Goldenstar · 06-29-2017, 08:08 AM

I have an 8 week old syrain hamster and she is absolutely terrified. She's been with us for about 3 days and her cage is currently on the floor of my bedroom. Personally, I think this could be a contribution of her skittish behaviour. I think she should be higher off the ground so we aren't hover above her and I do plan to buy a stand to have her cage sat on but for the time being I think she should be on my desk. However, my laptop is on my desk and I don't know if that will spook her more and make the situation worse. I need some advice and opinions on the matter, please!

cypher · 06-29-2017, 08:12 AM

Keeping her on the floor isn't a good idea, as you approach the cage you will be coming from above from her point of view & being a prey animal that is very scary! Also they pick up all the vibrations from the floor which isn't ideal for them.
Your desk should be fine but I wouldn't put her cage right next to your laptop, I do have a couple of cages close to my computer & it doesn't seem to bother them but they are a few feet away, computers & other devices can give off sounds that we can't hear but they can & especially being in a new home it could be disturbing for her.
Could you put your laptop somewhere else or maybe just get a shelf unit or table for the cage?

Goldenstar · 06-29-2017, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Keeping her on the floor isn't a good idea, as you approach the cage you will be coming from above from her point of view & being a prey animal that is very scary! Also they pick up all the vibrations from the floor which isn't ideal for them.
Your desk should be fine but I wouldn't put her cage right next to your laptop, I do have a couple of cages close to my computer & it doesn't seem to bother them but they are a few feet away, computers & other devices can give off sounds that we can't hear but they can & especially being in a new home it could be disturbing for her.
Could you put your laptop somewhere else or maybe just get a shelf unit or table for the cage?

That's what I thought but my mum was convinced otherwise! I'm glad I have second opinion on the matter. Unfortunately, I am unable to move the laptop as it's quite old with a damaged battery and has to stay on charge all day (the socket under the desk is the most accessible). As I said, I am planning on buying a table to place her cage upon but at the moment I am unable too. The laptop doesn't make any loud noises (other than me pressing the keys of the keyboard and clicking the mouse) but I understand that she can hear things that I can't.

cypher · 06-29-2017, 08:40 AM

As a temporary measure being close to the laptop might be preferable to being on the floor, if it really seems to bother her in any way you could just put her back where she is until you can get another table.

Goldenstar · 06-29-2017, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

As a temporary measure being close to the laptop might be preferable to being on the floor, if it really seems to bother her in any way you could just put her back where she is until you can get another table.

Okay, thank you so much for the advice!

Goldenstar · 06-29-2017, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

As a temporary measure being close to the laptop might be preferable to being on the floor, if it really seems to bother her in any way you could just put her back where she is until you can get another table.

UPDATE: My dad has just told me there is a plastic table in the shed I can use to place her cage until I buy something else. I shall place her on that instead as it would be much better than being next to my laptop.

Pebbles82 · 06-29-2017, 09:30 AM

It sounds quite normal her being scared if you've only had her three days. Some of that might depend on how the cage is set up if it's a bit "open" for example - they need a shelf and a house really. And a good depth of substrate to dig in a bit. Also they need to be left alone completely for the first 2 or 3 days to settle into the cage so no handling at first. If she hasn't had the settling in time she will be extremely skittish after a change of environment, new home, new cage. Just talk to her through the bars and give her time to build a nest and scent mark and familiarise herself in the cage. Then after a few days offer the odd treat through the bars. The other important thing is not to do any cleanouts for at least two weeks, while they're settling in. If it starts to get whiffy after a week or so you can just take out a handful of pee'd on substrate and replace it with a handful of new and mix it in but don't be tempted to start cleaning everything. That's called spot cleaning and you can mostly spot clean for quite a few weeks and only do a "big" clean every 6 to 8 weeks or even longer. The more substrate you have in the less often you need to do clean outs. Even then try not to clean everything at the same time so something always smell familiar. eg substrate one week, wheel another week, toys another week.

I used to have our cage on the floor for over two years. I think it really depends on whereabouts on the floor it is. We had a bit of a bay window in the front room and the cage sat in there so it was away from normal footfall as the door to the room was at the other end of the room. So there was no chance of it being kicked. I actually think it's ok on the floor as long as it's in a place where it's not likely to get kicked or tripped over. Hoovering can stress them whether they're on the floor or not and I used to put it off and only do it in the room with the cage when our hammy was out of the cage and would pop him upstairs in his pet carrier while I did it. Some get used to the noise and some don't.

One thing I did like about having it on the floor was (depending on what cage it is) it was easy for the hamster to walk out when I opened the door

And I could set up a playpen round it and leave the door open.

Goldenstar · 06-29-2017, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It sounds quite normal her being scared if you've only had her three days. Some of that might depend on how the cage is set up if it's a bit "open" for example - they need a shelf and a house really. And a good depth of substrate to dig in a bit. Also they need to be left alone completely for the first 2 or 3 days to settle into the cage so no handling at first. If she hasn't had the settling in time she will be extremely skittish after a change of environment, new home, new cage. Just talk to her through the bars and give her time to build a nest and scent mark and familiarise herself in the cage. Then after a few days offer the odd treat through the bars. The other important thing is not to do any cleanouts for at least two weeks, while they're settling in. If it starts to get whiffy after a week or so you can just take out a handful of pee'd on substrate and replace it with a handful of new and mix it in but don't be tempted to start cleaning everything. That's called spot cleaning and you can mostly spot clean for quite a few weeks and only do a "big" clean every 6 to 8 weeks or even longer. The more substrate you have in the less often you need to do clean outs. Even then try not to clean everything at the same time so something always smell familiar. eg substrate one week, wheel another week, toys another week.

I used to have our cage on the floor for over two years. I think it really depends on whereabouts on the floor it is. We had a bit of a bay window in the front room and the cage sat in there so it was away from normal footfall as the door to the room was at the other end of the room. So there was no chance of it being kicked. I actually think it's ok on the floor as long as it's in a place where it's not likely to get kicked or tripped over. Hoovering can stress them whether they're on the floor or not and I used to put it off and only do it in the room with the cage when our hammy was out of the cage and would pop him upstairs in his pet carrier while I did it. Some get used to the noise and some don't.

One thing I did like about having it on the floor was (depending on what cage it is) it was easy for the hamster to walk out when I opened the door

And I could set up a playpen round it and leave the door open.

This was all really helpful, especially the cleaning part as I was thinking on how I was going to do that when the time came. Also the hoovering was another concern of mine and I shall follow what done as it seems to be the best way to go about it. I have moved her cage onto a plastic table because the floorboards creak which caused her to freeze up, I'm hoping that placing her on the table will help. Thank you for the tips as they will really help me!