Grommits new cage

[grommit217]

2nd night

 

[Maz]

If he doesn't come out tomorrow evening, you could try putting a tube over his house door with a bit of cucumber at the far end. The smell might tempt him out and into the tube and you can lift him out in the tube (with your hands over the end). I'm waiting for the clocks to change to see if Raffy comes out a bit earlier as he has also started coming out really late,

 

[grommit217]

OK I'll try that, thanks again for your support xx

 

[Maz]

Maybe he's just having a couple of nights in to wash his hair

 

[elusive]

It could just be that he’s settling into his new cage, sometimes it’s all excitement for a few days then they go a bit reclusive as they adjust to the new set up & make themselves at home.

 

[Maz]

Any sign of him this morning or tonight?

 

[grommit217]

If he doesn't come out tomorrow evening, you could try putting a tube over his house door with a bit of cucumber at the far end. The smell might tempt him out and into the tube and you can lift him out in the tube (with your hands over the end). I'm waiting for the clocks to change to see if Raffy comes out a bit earlier as he has also started coming out really late,

He woke up! He got into his tube and we lifted him out for some playpen time.
I'm wondering if I feed him too much...then he doesn't need to come out?
Also, he has a knot of hair, mixed with bedding...will he nibble it out himself or do I need to try and cut it?

 

[grommit217]

Any sign of him this morning or tonight?

Yes

 

[grommit217]

Yes

He woke up! He got into his tube and we lifted him out for some playpen time.
I'm wondering if I feed him too much...then he doesn't need to come out?
Also, he has a knot of hair, mixed with bedding...will he nibble it out himself or do I need to try and cut it?

 

[elusive]

That’s great that he got up & came out for some playpen time.
I wouldn’t worry about feeding him too much, it’s natural behaviour for them to hoard food (it can be quite a lot!) in the house or nest & eat from that, they don’t tend to eat much out in the open, they just pouch it. They don’t get overweight if fed a good diet so it’s not a good idea to cut back on food.
Not sure about the knot, can you come it out? Maybe try a toothbrush?

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, so lovely Grommit came out and you got to see him.

 

[Maz]

Long haired hamsters do need a bit of a hair brushing maybe once or twice a week to help prevent the coat getting knotted.. This one is reviewed as good for long haired hamsters. If there is a knot though, you may need to cut it out as I doubt a hamster would like a knot trying to be brushed out!

@clacombe may have some tips as she has a long haired hamster

Rosewood mini bristle brush

 

[grommit217]

Thankyou, as still trying to earn trust I don't want to hurt him and give him a reason to nip me x

 

[Maz]

It's very unusual for Syrian hamsters to nip Usually if they've had a trauma in the past, or if they are in pain or just been woken up. If he hasn't done it before he's not likely to start now. Sometimes they will give a gentle half nip to let you know they don't like something (ie being held too long).

But understand you are still building on trust, so maybe snip the knot out and then when he is out, occasionally try a stroke with the brush (or with a toothbrush as elusive suggested) so he gets used to it.

 

[grommit217]

Oh. We've not held him yet, honestly I've been a bit nervous. He's sniffs and he doesn't minds a back stroke. Tonight's the night then

 

[RainbowBrite]

It is so sweet how you are going at a gentle pace with Grommit.

 

[grommit217]

It is so sweet how you are going at a gentle pace with Grommit.

Ahh thankyou, I just really love him and respect his cage is his space

 

[Hamster Haven]

Long haired hamsters do need a bit of a hair brushing maybe once or twice a week to help prevent the coat getting knotted.. This one is reviewed as good for long haired hamsters. If there is a knot though, you may need to cut it out as I doubt a hamster would like a knot trying to be brushed out!

@clacombe may have some tips as she has a long haired hamster

Rosewood mini bristle brush

I may need to try that one! Yes, I have tried to brush out a few and resorted to a small scissors after that failed lol... Cinnamon really gets into his bedding sometimes!

 

[grommit217]

The knot has been removed. Holding him tonight wasn't successful. I think we are more bothered than him. We had him in the play pen for five mins and then he started racing around trying to bite the material of it. We're not sure if he's anxious when out. He kept getting into his tube. It was like he was saying ' hey put me back now' so we put him back. He did take some boiled sweet potato from me after I cut the knot out, so still friends.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I think it went well for your first attempt. Grommit took the food from you and you managed to get the knot out of his hair. He probably did not like his hair being cut as he is not used to it but he is still trusting you as he took the food. Do not be hard on yourself. You had to get the knot out of his hair for his well being. I think you did the right thing in putting Grommit back in his cage when he went into his tube. Sounds like he is learning how to communicate to you and you are learning what his body language means.

Maybe Grommit would feel more comfortable if his playpen is a little more cluttered? That way he has more hidey places. Just an idea and I may be wrong but thought I would mention it.