new hamster sleeping in tubes?!

[ronconcoke]

hello,

I posted a couple of months ago asking for advice on getting a hamster for DS' birthday. Thanks all who responded! Anyway we got the hamster yesterday - not a Syrian in the end, as DS fell in love with a cute little Chinese hamster. The reason I'm here now is because he's made a nest in the corner/bend of the tube that runs outside it. I've read that this isn't ideal because of poor ventilation etc and it sounds as if I should remove the tubes and get stoppers but apparently they are hard to find? The cage is a Pets at Home one but according to the thing I read online, PaH don't sell stoppers. I've had a look on Amazon but they don't seem to have any.

Should I remove the tubes to discourage him from sleeping in there or is it just because it's all new to him and eventually he'll nest in the cage itself? He clearly came into the cage last night as the food has been nibbled at and there are droppings. He's in DS' room and DS said he could hear him on his wheel (might have to rethink where the cage goes at night!)

TIA!

PS I'm also not sure how DS can get him out of the tube to play with him....

If it's the large plastic hamster cage, then it's a Ferplast cage - Google that and you should be able to buy stoppers.

DDs first hamster slept in the tubes for a few days too - and stored food, and weed. Everything stank. Removed the tubes for a couple of days to encourage her to find a better spot, then put them back on.

Make sure there is somewhere for hammy to hide - a dark corner somewhere - as they don't always take to the houses that have been provided when they first come home.

Give it another day before trying to handle the wee chap, and just for a few minutes at a time initially as they can be nervous and jumpy. I've no experience of dwarf varieties, but even a baby Syrian can be speedy when they decide they've had enough of being handled and make a break for freedom!

It's just a large PaH cage, not branded. I went there on Monday to ask if they had stoppers but the guy there said sleeping in the tube was normal and not to worry! DS and I did eventually manage to prize open the tube with hammy in it only for him to jump out of my hand and run under DS' bed....cue frantic searching for him....eventually cornered him!

The PaH blokey also suggested holding hammy in the (empty) bath while he gets used to us, so DS has been doing that the last 2 nights! Hammy sleeps the whole day and only wakes up at around 10pm to come out and get some food. Had no idea they slept so much!

Peanut butter, just a little on the end of your finger will encourage the hamster to understand that you're not a threat. I wouldn't worry too much at this point, try and see if you can encourage him elsewhere in a few days.

Did you put his old bedding into the cage when you first moved him in? I realise it's too late now, I'm just wondering if that's why he's being weird.

Watch the tubes in summer time, they have a bad habit of coming apart in the heat - cue misplaced hamsters...

(We've rescued everything from the most placid syrian to the nastiest dwarf in the world. They all come around with enough time and handling.)

It's just a large PaH cage, not branded.

I get that OP, but the PaH cages are made by Ferplast, so if you search for the brand name you'll get results.

karyatide

Just to let you know. Not that anyone will probably listen. All hamster species require a cage of 80 x 50cm. P@H is shite at advice. Join a hamster forum or group.

Yeah they do need huge cages. My last one had two hamster heaven cages joined together spoilt!

karyatide 😂

That’s what all the food is for