gonna test Toothless for diabetes..and try to start taming him

[Hopefullygettingahamster]

So someone commented on my post that drinking lots of water and a smelly cage can be signs of diabetes in dwarf hamsters. Toothless has both been drinking and his cage smells. Now I may just be a total noob and they always smell a couple days later, but my gut says to check. Also someone said to start training three days after getting them. It's 2:26pm on day three and so tomorrow might be the day I start taming him. I may start later tonight though... Maybe do the bathtub thing? But I am definitely going to try to get diabetes tests and see what it says. But it seems that before that I'll have to get him used to me. So for now I'm gonna use the tissue sent method. Then I might try the bathtub method tonight. Anyway so he's so cute and handsome. I think he's scared of me though (honestly if I was a few years younger he probably would have a good reason to be.) so I'm gonna try to go slow and hold back on the cuddling. He may just be shy as his personality. Anyway it's clear that I picked the trouble child. (I always do, it's more rewarding that way)

[Teddy001]

I have hybrid dwarf hamsters, and both tested positive for diabetes- signs were drinking a lot if water, and the smell of their urine, smelled more like a chemical smell, than urine. I'd say, the first thing to do, is give your hamster time to adjust to a sugar free hamster mix, so that the results are as accurate, as possible, as any sugar eaten by your hamster may produce a higher reading. ( if your ham is diabetic) If your instincts are telling you their maybe health issues with your dwarf, test him- that will give you peace of mind , and allow you to have a vet check, if need be.
Diet is very important for an diabetes prone hamster. Molasses, honey, refined sugar, and natural sugars found in fruit should be avoided. I feed my dwarf hamster Hazel Hamster mix, which is sugar free. There are also " block" food, such as Harland Tekland 2018 that is an option for dwarfs.

As far as taming. Basing when it's the right time to start taming, based on the days you've had the hamster, is true in some cases, but like people, hamsters have individual needs, personalities, and past histories. With that said, I base the start of taming, based on how the hamster is behaving.

With the 2 dwarf hamsters, I've had and an Chinese hamster, their needs, personalities, and comfort levels on starting taming, all differed.
What I'd suggest to you, is when your hamster, starts to feel comfortable within your presence, becomes comfortable when your hand is in their cage, and taking food/a treat from your fingers, then that's a sign taming can proceed to the next step. My best advice taming a dwarf hamster, is allow the hamster to come to you, and he/she will, the more comfortable and familiar the hamster is with you.

This may take, weeks, even a month (s) but believe me, your patience and going at your hamsters pace, will pay off in the end.

[BrainGirl]

The cage might also smell a bit more because he's new and frantically spreading his scent around. Try not to panic!

[amie]

It sounds a good idea to check, go with your instinct.

Some dwarfs aren't keen on being handled so give it your best but please try not to be too disappointed if your dwarf prefers its own company. Some of mine will do anything not to be out with me!

Best wishes.

[Hopefullygettingahamster]

Yeah I've decided to give him a few more days because I was being annoying and bad and scared him then once he's ready I'll start. I think he's gonna be a shy one. Yep I always get the trouble child
... But sometimes it's better. He is drinking a lot. And I will change his food.