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Small pets

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Original poster

My new hamster is rabid !! Help

12 replies

Grindelwaldswand · 10/12/2016 17:34

Me and DP bought a baby hamster 3 weeks ago and we've failed in trying to socialise him so far !! He is constantly shaking and nervous and jumps out at you if you try touch him or talk to him !! We've tried everything we did with our old hamsters like talking to him lots and hand feeding and stroking him but he just doesn't respond with anything but violence and he's bitten DP numerous times so far Sad he has quite large teeth for a 8 week old hamster too so the bites were quite deep and intended to hurt. We just don't know what to do with him anymore and DP want's to take him back to the petshop.
Any advice ? He has a huge cage with a 60cm wheel in it and loads of toys and a huge hay bed and plenty of food water and treats so we don't know how he can be scared or unhappy, he's also a bit inconti and wees on himself in his bed

OP posts:
rightsaidfrederickII · 10/12/2016 18:05

What type of hamster is he? Syrians and Roborovskis can be very different, for instance.

I've not had to deal with a hamster with this sort of behaviour before, but I would suggest reposting somewhere like www.hamstercentral.com/community/behaviour/ as it has a bit more of a specialist audience with experience in these things :)

Original poster
Grindelwaldswand · 10/12/2016 18:09

He's a long haired Syrian Hamster I've always had Syrians. My last two were so tame you could pick them up while sleeping and they didn't bother. They also knew their names and came when called and they were toilet trained by now and went in the opposite corner to their beds where as this little guy just wees and poos all-over himself and his food supply

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Jellyshoeshurtmyfeet · 10/12/2016 18:22

We had a female Syrian hamster who was extremely vicious and pooed ando peed everywhere. It never improved the whole time we had her. I just don't yhink she liked us much!

Original poster
Grindelwaldswand · 11/12/2016 00:06

Can i just take him back to the pet shop ? We don't even want him anymore we have no attachment to him and we just give him the care he needs and that's about it now we've given up trying Sad

OP posts:
andrea315 · 11/12/2016 00:19

Is it definitely a he ? Boys are normally a lot easier to tame than the girls I think I would have a word with the pet shop or a vet maybe he has something wrong and has pain
I have had loads and all have been lovely apart from one that was awful we kept it but I felt sorry for it as we could never get it out , if the pet shop will take back do a swop and get another one as young as you can

Original poster
Grindelwaldswand · 11/12/2016 00:27

Definitely a ball we can see his testicles clearly, i wish we'd got a girl one now as there was one that was running across her tank following us Sad DP insisted on the boy ones and wanted the long hair one so we got him. He doesn't appear to have wet tail and he gets plenty of fresh veg and treat's he's so well cared for and doesn't realise it. We just checked on him now and he appears to have chewed a claw off his left paw ?!?! Its all bloody but he doesn't seem the slightest bit bothered and keeps hissing and lunging if we try pick him up to check it i think he needs the vets asap. Maybe he has a UTI would explain any pain and his incontinence

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oleoleoleole · 11/12/2016 00:28

I'd have him checked over by a vet.

rightsaidfrederickII · 12/12/2016 13:17

It does sound like there's something not quite right here. I'd take him to the vet and see what they say, as it may be something fixable. The reality is that if he's taken back to the pet shop, he'll probably be snake food Sad

orangepudding · 12/12/2016 13:23

Poor hamster does sound unwell, I would imagine it's very unusual for a hamster to self harm. I would definitely take him to the vet.

froglou · 12/12/2016 20:21

You can't just take a pet back to the store they're a commitment and responsibility, I doubt you'd get a refund even if the store did take him back, if you do call ahead and ask or at least let them know so they can prepare a cage as he won't be able to be put back in with other hamsters as he's now too old.

Hamsters settle down as they get older I personally wouldn't buy a hamster younger than 8/12 weeks as theyre very nervous which usually means very bitey. You mentioned his teeth are very large, considering you said you've kept hamsters before, do they look uncomfortably large? Some hamsters have a deformity meaning they can't wear there teeth down naturally which can cause extreme pain, infection and eventually is fatal if not treated? My hamster is a rescue and has this, it costs me £18 a month in vet bills and that's partly subsidised by the charity I got her from!

orangepudding · 15/12/2016 17:07

How is your hamster today?

Original poster
Grindelwaldswand · 15/12/2016 18:19

He's improved now we have given him some Cranberry juice mixed in with his water to help his possible UTI and he seems happier he's still quite jumpy and bitey though so we're just leaving him be except for his daily feed and bedding change Smile and yes i know they are a responsibility Hmm ive had many hamsters before which have lived to 7 & 8 years old because of excellent care so i don't take the decision to return him lightly ! Moron. We are keeping him now as he is improving. Ive always bought my hamsters as babies at 5-6 weeks old I've never seen hamster's older than that in a pet shop ss they can't live in the same cage after that

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