Hamsters (merged)

mshappy

Hi all

Just looking for some advice.

I got a hamster last Wednesday. I'm a first time hamster owner.

Every time I go near the cage he runs into his tubes and hides. He occasionally takes food out of my fingers. Today his even moved all of his bedding into his tubes.

I managed to get him into his ball sunday but had to take his tubes apart and put the ball over the end of the tubes.

He hasn't bitten. I would love for him to be tame but how if he just runs away?

concerned43

Hi there - as a seasoned hamster owner (I have had over 100) - the little thing will be scared, you have to first of all rub your hands in sawdust as it will recognised this scent! then you have to quietly open its cage and let it take its time to come out of the tubes and let it sniff about (including your hand) then gently pick it up and lightly stoke it (keeping away from its head). Only do this for a couple of minutes a couple of times a night - remember they sleep all day and eventually it will get used to you.
Also you must let it decide for itself where its bedding will be - its their habitat and they know what is best for them.
Hope that helps.

samboette

Hi there

We have hamsters and as the OP states the little one will be scared!!

It's good that he doesn't bite, so first bit of advice, do not attempt to handle your hammie after you've eaten something, not without washing your hands first, any food smells might make him want to have a nibble.

You have to gain your hamsters trust and it takes time and patience. I would suggest taking the cage and yourself to the bathroom and sit in the bath with the hamster (no water of course ) this way you can sit there and let your hamster walk on you and let him take in your smells, this will also ensure he doesn't run away and get into any hard to reach places. Whilst in the bath let the hamster walk from hand to hand, do this for about 10-20 minutes maybe once or twice a day, gradually increasing the length of time until he becomes used to be handled. As I said, it does take time and patience but it's worth it in the end.

Are the tubes the only way your hamster can get around his cage? If not remove them for now. It's not good for hamsters to make their nests in tubes for 2 reasons, firstly it makes taming them difficult because they are reluctant to come out and secondly having their nests in tubes can sometimes create health problems. Whilst they sleep in a confined space it can get damp from their breathing and at times they can urinate in their nests, this can cause chest/breathing problems.

mshappy

Put my hand in his cage for about 15 mins tonight. He came out of his tubes eventually. Came over and siffed, Tried to take a little nibble. Didn't crawl on to my hand though.

If I take the tubes out there will be a hole in the top. Will need to buy some more stopper things

concerned43

Give it time, personally I would leave the tubes, your hamster feels safe there!

mshappy

5 steps forward 10 steps back. Tried the same approach tonight and he just pokes his head out of the tubes sniffs and goes back in

candjsmum

Ok, in August my daughter and son each bought a roborovski hamster from pets at home, with me who treble checked with the person selling them that they were both defo boys. You can tell whats coming next cant you, yes last night they had babies! To say we were shocked is an understatement. So off we trotted to pets at home this morning, who give credit, were fantastic and have given us another cage to keep the dad in as obviously we dont want them having anymore. At the moment the mum and dad seem fine with them, but what i want to know is, is it best the remove the dad as he could eat them even though he seems to be caring for them as well as the mum?? I am a bit of a softie with any animal and i wouldn't want the dad being upset by removing him from the babies and mum. Any help please!:A

KVet

You shouldn't keep the mum and dad together as she will get pregnant again almost instantly! Best to sex them all when they are 4-6 weeks old and then separate them into male and female cages. Be careful as they can breed like wildfire if not sexed correctly! Sexing hammies is rather easy once you know what you're looking for

jessicamb

ask on the madabouthamsters forum - there are some really knowledgeable breeders on there who will be able to tell you how to look after mum, dad and babies.

narabanekeater

I used to breed Hamsters in my younger days. Get Dad out ASAP as youll be having another litter soon. A small amount of bread soaked in milk Mum may well enjoy at this time. Dont leave it in for a long time though!
If you need any more inof please feel free to message me.