Hello and thank you already :)

[Agglebum]

Hi, I thought it was time to introduce myself properly.
I'm Jenny and I live with my Hubby and Daughter (4) near Portsmouth.

Although we have had various rodents over the years, Luna is our 1st hammy. I was bitten as a child and never really got over the fear so it's only recently Ive come round to hamsters.

Our girl Luna was got from a breeder near Aldershot and is an 8 week old tortoiseshell banded female. We have had her for 9 days and the taming is going well so far. Very different from what I've been used to with Rats etc but I'm liking the take it or leave it attitude she has.

Last night I became aware that our cage is too small for her (Currently in a Ferplast Favola) and am gutted that we got it so wrong. Anyway the 'Barney' has been ordered and will hopefully be here in time for xmas.

So far she's been loving the ball to explore the flat and we have been using the tissue trick and last night I had her in the bath with me so she could explore. It seems to going well.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you and your hammys.

Jen x

[velma]

I'm glad it's going well with Luna already. I think hamsters have a reputation for being a bit bitey, which is undeserved. Like you're discovering, they are unlike a lot of other rodents & just need to tune in to their wave length. But if you're bitten as a child it does stay with you.
I wouldn't beat yourself up about the cage. We've all done it As she grows, she'll get bored in a small cage & the smaller cages don't usually fit a big enough wheel but actually, for the first couple of weeks I don't think a smaller cage is a terrible thing. It makes taming a bit easier than in a huge cage where there are a lot of places for them to hide. And also, I think they're quite handy to keep as a hospital or travelling cage if you ever need them. And think of all the fun you'll have setting up the Barney over the Christmas holidays. The bigger the cage, the more cute stuff you can buy or make to put in it
I'm jealous that you're near the seaside. Portsmouth is lovely I keep seeing a breeder on gumtree in Ash, which is near aldershot so I'm wondering if it's the same one?
Anyway, nice to meet you & glad the taming tips are going well

[Wanna Hamster]

Hi and welcome to HC! Velma has given some great tips.

[cypher]

Welcome to the forum

Good to hear how well Luna is doing so far & that you've found some helpful info here.
I agree with Velma that a small cage won't hurt for a little while but I'm sure she'll love her new home when it arrives.

[Agglebum]

It's going to be here in the next couple of days. cant wait.
Velma - I think it's probably the same one. She advised us to leave her a couple of hours before handling and that was it, no other advice on food etc. So I'm doing the research on here. She seems happy enough in the little one at the moment but I'm looking forward to seeing the big cage and the new wheel we've got her

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi again, I've posted on your other thread.
Great to hear Luna's settling in.

[Josie]

Welcome to HC, good to hear that Luna is settling in well

[HarryHamster]

hi Jenny and welcome to HC, I am glad you have given hamsters a chance as the are beautiful animals that have such big hearts of love. they also mistaken for being aggressive animals, my Hugo is the sweetest thing in the world. I am glad Luna is settling in and she will get a big cage for Christmas.

[Amys_Mum]

Hello, and welcome to the forum. I'm another that made the cage mistake, the Barney will be my third cage and should arrive next week!
Hamsters are lovely. I was really nervous when we started taming Harvey, we left her for a couple of days, then tried but she was unsure. I was really jumpy, expecting her to bite me, which made both of us nervous. The next night, I wore gloves so if she did nip, she'd just get a mouth full of wool - that made me more confident, which then seemed to reassure her as she was happy to come to me and be held.