4 replies to this topic

[WordsUntold]

Very sad this is my first post on this site. I was hoping for something more positive.

 

About five days ago a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to adopt a Russian dwarf from her work that they were getting rid of due to insufficient room.

I rushed setting up a new habitat for him (two small-ish cages connected with tubes). The first couple of days seemed to be going well. He was very skittish and seemed reluctant to enter the tubes into his "second room", but I assumed that's normal when suddenly changing environments. I have one other hamster who is my first and I've only had him for three months, so I'm still pretty new to this, but he was also very inactive and fearful the first week or so before suddenly starting to explore and play.

I checked on him every day but most days he wouldn't leave his little house, though I saw evidence that he was eating and moving around the cage when I wasn't looking.

Last night I wanted to try to hand feed him to start getting him accustomed to my scent and at first I thought he just wouldn't come outside like before, but it turns out he wasn't in his house at all. Somehow, one of the tubes got deattached and opened up onto the floor. I panicked, and dug through both cages thoroughly to make sure he wasn't just hiding, but he's definitely gone.

I have no idea how to find him. I'm not sure how long he's been out. Could have been a few hours, could have been as long as two days. I can't remember when I last saw him for certain, beacause I was trying to give him space.

I called my friend who gave him to me, and she said not to worry and to fill up his food, keep his cage open and keep doors and windows to the outside shut. She says he'll probably go back to his familiar habitat when he gets tired of exploring.

This morning he hadn't returned, so I'm freaking out again. I left the cage open still, and as soon as the stores open I'm going out to get one of those non-kill mousetraps that lures them into a box, so I can at least catch him if he's still around.

I don't know what else to do! Can anyone offer any more advice?

I feel awul, I'm a terrible mom.

[Lillias]

Hamsters are prey animals, so check any tight spaces (behind/under furniture, in the closet, clothes hampers, etc.) Be careful if you need to move furniture (so you don't accidentally squash him). He'll be looking for food, water, and shelter. You can sprinkle a thin layer of flour on the floor before bed to see if there are any tiny footprints in the morning. Leaving food and water in each room may help you narrow down his hiding place. Something with a strong smell might help (a bit of cheese or peanut butter).

 

Your friend's advice is good. Rodents tend to have a good sense of direction, and he may return to the cage for food.

 

In the future, I'd replace the small cages with one much larger cage. Those small plastic cages are ripe for an escape because of all the parts.

 

Don't beat yourself up about this. It happens. And skittish hams are the hardest to find again.

[WordsUntold]

Hamsters are prey animals, so check any tight spaces (behind/under furniture, in the closet, clothes hampers, etc.) Be careful if you need to move furniture (so you don't accidentally squash him). He'll be looking for food, water, and shelter. You can sprinkle a thin layer of flour on the floor before bed to see if there are any tiny footprints in the morning. Leaving food and water in each room may help you narrow down his hiding place. Something with a strong smell might help (a bit of cheese or peanut butter).

 

Your friend's advice is good. Rodents tend to have a good sense of direction, and he may return to the cage for food.

 

In the future, I'd replace the small cages with one much larger cage. Those small plastic cages are ripe for an escape because of all the parts.

 

Don't beat yourself up about this. It happens. And skittish hams are the hardest to find again.

Oh, the flour is a good tip. I have no idea where he might be, so that'll help narrow it down.
I was thinking of using peanut butter to lure him to the trap, since that works well for mice, but I don't know if that might be too sweet/processed for him.

[Lillias]

Oh, the flour is a good tip. I have no idea where he might be, so that'll help narrow it down.
I was thinking of using peanut butter to lure him to the trap, since that works well for mice, but I don't know if that might be too sweet/processed for him.

Go ahead and use the peanut butter. If you were using it as a treat, we recommend the peanuts-only peanut butter, but the immediate need right now is to get him back safely. A wee bit of sugar won't hurt.

[Sweetie2020]

Hey I'm sorry about your Hamster. Did you find him? I hope you did. They can be super fast.