Blondes, Orm and others who remember my hamster thread last year

[Saucepanman]

Here

Well DH had been resisting all attempts by me to get a new hammy, as I cried for so long when Indy died- Anyway on xmas eve he surprised me and took me to choose one- this one is a girl, very pretty, as yet no name as we are "discussing" it.

She seems very different to Indy, and it is a bit sad to think that he was always a bit runty and under the weather. This madam chewed her way out of the carrier in the car, which was fun! And she squeaks to us- is that normal! Indy never did. When we put her in the cage she was very feisty, running round and exploring.

Shop said not to handle her for 3 days- a new policy which they said has significantly decreased the incidences of wet tail. As you can imagine I am really nervous about this happening again.

However, because it's me, and I am a loon, I am slightly obsessing that she doesn't like me and is a bit scared. Tried to hold her for first time yesterday, she leapt out of my hands and we spent a good 10 minutes on our hands and knees trying to trap her in a bit of tunnel! Have not tried to hold her today but have been putting my hand in to stroke her and let her get used to me- she tries to bit me every time, not viciously or she would have done it, but in a slow experimental way like I wonder what this tastes like! She did nip me once, I am pg so would rather she didn't draw blood.

Anyway, I think the whole Indy experience has freaked me out somewhat and I would just like to know if this is usual with new hamsters and she will allow me to handle her in time.

TIA for reading my essay!

Mine squeaks, it's ben going on for months, vet has no idea.

Good luck!!

Thanks Fluffy, have had pet hop ring me to see how she's getting on and they said she sounds fine

I always used a handling tube for new hamsters - a jaffa cake tube cut down a bit is ideal - you put it in the cage & the hamster will usually run in, if not you can sort of gently scoop her up, then you lift it out & sit down with the tube on your lap & let her come out in her own time - you can tempt with a titbit if you like. Then she can explore your lap & get used to your smell without being intimidated by groping hands.

Depends on the squeak really - high pitched can mean fear. I am not at home at the minute but can look in my hamster book if you want when I get back.

We have a roboroski dwarf hamster and have never really held her as she is so small and so fast. She has a great life though and a cage full of toys and treats.

Hope it goes well with the new hamster. I am utterly attached to our little hammy - never expected to get attached but she's just so endearing.

Echo the handling tube and titbit idea. She'll come round eventually.

Rusty, great idea, am off to buy some jaffa cakes!

Fab I think this squeaking is talking, rather than distress, I have heard the distress squeak in my other hammy . Mine is Syrian, not roboroski, but still pretty speedy!

Pirate thanks, am already very attached and always feel really responsible and concerned for them. Am also going to get some gardening gloves for handling at first.

Hamster bit me last night! I was a bit upset because I thought she was trusting me more. And it bloody hurt! She had let me lift her into the cage, so I was just putting my hand near her when she went for it. I was worried I wasn't handling her enough but maybe I was trying to rush it?

duh - found it

was on 2nd page and brain couldnt work out how to find 2nd page i

sooooooooooo pleased you got another hammy,yes it is very upsetting when they die, but they do give so much pleasure

personally would handle hammy striaght away

they need to get used to you/being held etc

so take out of cage several times a day - have a play and put back and repeat

if no blood is drawn then hammy didnt meen to bite you/is giving you a warning/im scared etc nip

mr blondes and i wear gardening gloves to start off with, and hold and stroke with firm movements

ours are syrian and squeak sometimes when alseep, almost like a little dream

Hello Blondes!

She did draw blood, immediately, it was a bloody hard bite! Have been trying to handle once a day, am a bit wary of being bitten again though, did I mention I was pg? Can't be bothered scanning up tO check, am sure it is fine but I still would rather not have it happen again. She seems a bit warier, and I prob am not helping, I almost seem to have forgotten how to be confident and handle. I have been leaving the cage door open and letting her climb up for a look, then picking her up to put Her back whether she likes it or not- she would prefer to jump back down

Oh I tried gardening gloves and they seemed to freak her out!

WAVES yes you did say you were pregnant, but congrats again

ouch ((HUGS)) a real hamster bite hurts and bleeds, fine to be bitten by them as you are pregnant

you do really need to get hammy out lots and re assure her/play/stroke her

dont hesitate when picking her up,as that freaks/scares them, go in and be confident - easier said then done, i know

shame you dont live near me, or i would train for you, have done many friends and even strangers hammys

Hi Blondes, quick update- a couple of nights ago I let Tink run round in her exercise ball for a bit, then had the bright idea of letting her crawl out onto me. I managed to hold her a few times and mostly she leapt off me, but once I did get her on my hand.

Tonight did same whilst cleaning out her cage, and she let me hold a lot more- am v pleased! Thanks for all the tips. Am trying to be more confident when handling her, and I think it is working, but I am still not sure if she will try and bite.