Escaped hamster - how likely is it he will come back?

[bisjo]

Hamster escaped this morning. My fault and I feel terrible. Allowed ds to hold him in his bedroom and he made a bolt for freedom.

He is still in ds's bedroom and the cage is on the floor. I've heard him but he is behind or under something and hasn't come out so far. How likely is it he will come out in the night and go back to his cage (I've left food and grapes at the entrance to the tube that leads up to his cage)?

You'll probably hear him shuffling around any minute.

Set a trap by putting some food he likes in the bottom of a large jar and tilting it up on some books. He will be able to climb in to get the food but won't be able to get put as it will be too slippery. We used this method a few times when we were children!!

Ours has been on the loose 3 times, kids not shutting cage properly, twice all night, each time we've only noticed because he's come to greet us in the morning.

Like the trap idea. How large a jar do I need?

I'm hoping that he will go back into his cage tonight as he likes being in one of the tubes. We've only had him a week

Bucket, ramp, food in bottom of bucket! I used a mop bucket and made a ramp of video cases years ago, worked a treat!

Oh and when I was a kid one escaped without us realising and woke my dad up in the morning, squeaking next to his bed!

Bucket? We definitely have a bucket. Should I give the cage on the floor a go tonight and try the bucket tomorrow if he doesn't come back or should I try both?

you need to make pancakes!

apparently the smell of pancakes is too tempting for hsmsters - it will come out from hiding!

Set a bucket with favourite food in the bottom with a ramp up. Works a treat.

Try both. Nothing to lose (but he is likely to come back out of the cage but can't climb out the bucket).

We tempt ours out with cucumber when she escapes - she always comes back in the end!

Quite likely I think

My hamster escaped once, for 2 days (I was devastated and actually prayed he would come home, I imagined him getting stuck somewhere and us finding his skeleton in years to come!)

I left a trail of his food and hamster chocolate outside and in his cage and the next day when I went into the room with his cage I glanced at his cage and walked past, then did a double take when I saw him happily burrowed in his bed!

Sammie

aawwww, that's lovely!

Sammie I have the same fear and hope. Ds has refused to sleep in his room tonight just in case he puts the hamster off returning.

You need to use peanut butter as bait, I promise it never fails

I was so upset when ours escaped the first time - I really thought we wouldn't find her alive. But when the night comes, out they come all cheery and happy strolling across the floor as if nothing has happened. Honestly. Just leave food out and keep at eye out. Ours likes a particular spot in the kitchen and always heads there. If you know what room they're in, that's a bonus. Ours likes cheese, toast, carrots, roast chicken - just leave a bit out and see if it's gone.

Ok I will get some peanut butter tomorrow if he doesn't reappear tonight. I'm worried about him getting dehydrated. I've left some grapes so I hope he does eat those tonight.

Very likely to come out at night. He will wander the house if you leave the bedroom door open and may well pay you a visit! We have lots of wandering hamster stories.

I'm definitely not leaving ds's bedroom door open. There are simply too many places for him to disappear!

Ours have always skirted the walls when they are loose. He may be active now - have you checked? Our little fella is fast asleep at the moment though.

I checked about an hour ago. I'm going to bed soon so I'll check again when I go up.

Hope you catch him! I love hamsters - they are just the cutest pets.

Hahah thanks Zing, I loved my little George

Bisjo your poor DS! I'm sure your hamster will come back when it sees that the yummy food in it's cage is better than anything else it comes across!

Let us know when you catch him x

come on hamster, back in your cage!