Meet Elliot ~

[Rhine]

Hi guys!

I was really going to wait before making a thread for my new boy, but he doesent seem to be settling in that well, and i could need some advice!

After being back and forth trying to pick a name, i've decided to call him Elliot

It's been a week, and 3 days since i got him, and poor little Elliot is still really scared!
The first day he was running around, exploring, but now he's just hiding.
I can hear him getting food at night, but if i move in my bed he runs back into his "batcave".
I know it's quite normal, but he's been like that for over a week now.
He doesnt seem to be exploring at all!

- Food, some water and back into his cave -
He sleeps under his wheel, and stores the food next to it.
Got everything he needs down there, haha

I probably just have to give him more time, but.. i don't want him to be scared! Poor thing!

Last night when i opened the cage, to put food in his bowl.. he started whimpering from underneath his wheel.
I probably scared him, but.. i can't stop giving him food..

He really doesnt seem to be getting used to his cage at all -sigh-

______________________________________

Tried taking a picture of him the first day.
It's not that good, since i was sitting in my bed across the room

[Aisling and hamster]

Wow, that is a beautiful hamster, sorry to hear he's not settling in great. My past syrian hamster took six monthes to tame but he was amazing once he was tame, don't give up keep trying, find a treat he loves because that always helps, best of luck to you, enjoy him he's lovely

[Drago]

He's an adorable little guy! How large is your cage? If he is in a very large cage, he may feel overwhelmed. Try adding more ground cover to help him feel safe and secure. Enjoy your new little ham!

[Rhine]

Originally Posted by Drago

He's an adorable little guy! How large is your cage? If he is in a very large cage, he may feel overwhelmed. Try adding more ground cover to help him feel safe and secure. Enjoy your new little ham!

Thanks!

The cage is 120x50
He got a big platform to go under(it's quite tall, but still makes a bit of cover for him), his house, a willow tunnel and 3 bendy bridges scattered around, but it doesnt seem to make a difference :/

He doesnt even want to sleep in the house i got him..
Don't think he's been inside it yet.

[CMB]

It is probably the shock of going from a small cage to his large cage. Maybe a solid board to temporarily block off part of the cage will help him settle.

You could then gradually move the board a little at a time as he gets more confident.

A complete photo of his setup may help people suggest other ways to help.

[Rhine]

Originally Posted by CMB

It is probably the shock of going from a small cage to his large cage. Maybe a solid board to temporarily block off part of the cage will help him settle.

You could then gradually move the board a little at a time as he gets more confident.

A complete photo of his setup may help people suggest other ways to help.

The petstore i bought him from didnt give them anything to play with, he didnt even have a house to sleep in..
There was 3 of them just sleeping in a corner.
I felt so bad, wanted to get them all.
.. and the cage was really small - so you might be right.
Blocking of a part of the cage i can do, but ill show you guys the pictures first!
Maybe i've been setting everything up all wrong.


There is a bendy bridge, and his potty under the platform.



I probably could make it look better, but right now i just want him to start using his cage more!

[CMB]

It does look goog.

Scatter feeding may help as he will hopefully be too interested in colllecting the food to be scared. Scatter near his nest to start off with.

He does have to come out from his nest (under the wheel) and go to the other end of the cage for water and food. So he is getting about.

Not sure if this would stress him more of help. But if the wheel was halfway along the back wall of the cage and he still nested under it he would have less distance to go to each end of the cage. He could pop out a little way. Then back to his nest if scared. As it's only a short way he may come out more knowing he can get back there quickly.

Has he chosen a wee area?

[Rhine]

I could try that, scatter feeding

I had the wheel like that first, but before puting him in the cage i moved it! Oh my..
Sounds like a smart thing to do though, but i really don't know how he would react, since the wheel and his "batcave" is the only thing he likes right now.

I thought he picked the corner his potty is, but he stoped using it after a few days!
Now i can find where he pees, might be under the wheel..

Looks like he's doing everything under there.

"Batcave" under this platform -

Maybe i should have called him Bruce, or batman

[SKB_Hamsters]

Elliot looks lovely - hope he settled into his new home soon.
He may like a like bit more cover or a few more shelter areas on the right side of the cage - this might help him feel more confident with the space.
But he is probably a little overwhelmed coming from such a small cage to this wonderful cage. He might need a little time until he feels comfortable with this space.
Scatter feeding does sound like a good idea to help build up confident.

[CMB]

Maybe try the scatter feeding first. Leaving the bat cave etc where they are. Then in a week or so if it hasn't made a difference move the wheel to where the corner house is and have the corner house somewhere else.

Like the name. He reminds me of My Evie and Serendipity's Charlie.