Newbies here

Ronin · 07-11-2021, 10:12 AM

Hi there. So… I promised my little lad a hamster for his 4th birthday ( we have a dog, fish and stick insects.
I myself am not a newcomer to pets or having a mini zoo throughout the years! My first little lad (22 now) had a hamster at 4 so… being a hamster mummy again feels new. Anyway… we brought little Tuk Tuk home Friday afternoon, she’s been out. Eats fine but seems awfully afraid of us, she’s a 7 week Syrian. Has braved a quick sniff of my little boys hand, he is a quiet gentle 4 year old so I’ve no worries there but if I remember the male Syrian we had was out and very nosey… this poor girl just runs away. Anything we are not doing right? Perhaps it is all a little overwhelming when you are a tiny baby hamster? Advice on helping this little lady out please.

Ria P · 07-12-2021, 01:12 PM

Hello and welcome to HC!

Congratulations to your new hamster.
I wouldn't worry because its very early days and a hamster needs time to settle in. I leave mine alone for the first couple of weeks unless they want to make contact. Just talk to her gently so she gets used to your voices and give her some tissue with your scent on it. She's a scared little baby who needs to make sense of her new surroundings first, make a nest, start a hoard, check out the wheel, hides and toys, scent everything to make it her own, get comfortable.....and then check out those scary humans with the big hands. In time she'll learn that humans can be trusted, they bring treats, they are her friends, especially that little human.... but she doesn't know that yet.

Ronin · 07-12-2021, 02:12 PM

Many thanks for the advice, we are not poking around too much while she settles in. She did really well last night and tonight. We went to say hello to her and she peeked her little nose out and had a little sniff. Tonight she was in bed when we went to say hello and was happy enough to come out and see us which was lovely. She seems to be settling nicely. Her cage has lots of toys and things to chew,climb and indeed eat. This morning it was quite evident that she had been exploring. A little at a time 😊