Hammy

[Zara]

Hams new play thing. I’ve used some string to hang the two balls together and then push a little treat like a sunflower seed or piece of apple in a gap. He’ll then sit and hold it in his hands to nibble

 

[Member ID2]

It's funny how they often love a homemade or improvised toy but often ignore a shop bought one.

 

[Zara]

Thanks both, yes I’m going to try from my lap and see how we progress. Thanks for the tips, always nice to hear and know your experiences.

Feel a bit embarrassed that I’m going to have to take him to the vets for a nail trim but I can’t actually hold him. Does that sound a bit silly? Guess they’re used to it. I’ve trimmed rabbit nails before which are actually quite thick but not being able to keep Hams still I simply don’t know where to start. It’s the nails on his hind legs that look long?

 

[Member ID2]

I always take a flannel with me which i leave on top of their cage. That way the vet has something to hold them with and the hamsters have something with a familiar smell.

 

[RainbowBrite]

You made a great toy for Hams. I do not think it is silly to get his nails cut at the vets. It must be so difficult with a wriggly hamster. Some people take guinea pigs to the vet to get their nails cut too.

 

[Zara]

Hams is out having some free roam tonight and my son is helping to keep a watch and he’s like… “Mum, why are you smelling bits of wood?”, me “well I’m sure Hams only really likes the Apple so I’m trying to figure out which ones they could be”. His reply was simply “Mum, I think you’ve lost the plot” . The things we do for our pets

 

[Maz]

The things we do for our pets indeed! Hams is looking great! He is so cute. I think it's a good idea to take them to the vets for a nail trim the first time. They can show you how to do it so you're more confident next time.

Does he have something to help keep his nails roughened/short in his cage? Some kind of stone or terracotta plate?

For trimming nails I do the slow patient thing of only doing them one or two at a time when the hamster is out of the cage and distracted by eating some tasty food. Ideally if they're next to you on the sofa. Then just use a tiny pair of nail scissors and snip the odd one while they don't notice You need good eyesight or magnifying glasses! Just the very very tip. Usually I find after one or two I have to wait till another time as they pull their leg away.

 

[Zara]

Hi Maz, I’ve been thinking about this as I watched one of the Victoria Raechel videos last night. Hams only has his wooden bridges really, his shelves are more hessian and in his forage tray he’s more likely to use his front paws. I’m thinking I need to look for a coarse stone and place it by his water but not sure this will help his rear legs. I’ve actually just got a really good photo of his hind leg nails which I’ll try and post in a min.

 

[Zara]

Just taken this what do you think? Hope it's still clear I had to crop it down to reduce its size for the forum. The front are fine, just the back

 

[Member ID2]

They don't curl under so i can't really see a problem with them.

 

[Zara]

They don't curl under so i can't really see a problem with them.

Thanks Beryl, so these aren't particularly long for a hamster but I should keep an eye on them.

 

[Maz]

I used a rough granite tile under the water bottle with our robo and a terracotta dish for our Syrian. A teracotta plant pot base works well . Rodipet sell a nice rough granite tile that isn't expensive. The problem is the postage on top.

You could get a terracotta plant pot base from a hardware shop quite cheap. It also soaks up drips from a water bottle (but they are best used on a shelf as heavy). Some people make a pile of stones in the cage. You could collect some big round stones (if you can find any) then they need sterilising.

Just seen your photo. They're not too bad - they just need the very tips snipping off. You never want to take too much off at once or it could cut the quick. The inside one is starting to curl a bit so that one needs snipping.

I was trying to find a diagram to explain - this one is actually for sugar gliders (diagram from Exotic Nutrition) but it's the same principle for hamsters. You can see how to avoid cutting the quick (which can be painful and bleed). Really it's just a case of taking the very end tip off - a tiny bit. Rather than any length. Then doing the same again a bit at a time until the nail gradually gets shorter without the quick being too long - if that makes sense.

 

[Maz]

Posted at the same time as Beryl. They probably just need the tiniest trim to stop the ends curling over. If the ends curl over they can't grip to climb very well.

 

[Member ID2]

Yes, that's what i would do.

Some of my dwarfs had nails longer than that before i trimmed the tips.

 

[Maz]

I can't even imagine trying to trim a dwarf hamster's nails! Other than with the mesh bird feeder method possibly!

 

[Member ID2]

Robos are the easiest because they don't move when in a hold. They are so small and light that you can turn them this way and that way to trim the nails. Their furry feet are more of a hinderance.

With the dwarfs it depends on their temperament. Edwina and Gertie had long nails but they were easy. Betsy was a nightmare.

 

[Zara]

Thanks both, I used to trim my rabbits nails which were hard to snip but the quick was easy to see. I’m currently cleaning a stone to add in the cage and will keep an eye on them.

 

[Zara]

Hams is out tonight and on good form, whizzing about in his tubes He missed last nights play time, I think he was just sleeping, shame as I’d moved furniture around in our dining room to give him a proper free roam but I’m too tired tonight, so it’s the playpen again. In this photo he’s currently on his way over the tube to see if he can escape by scratching in the corner. I think he’s heard me talking about the Robo conversations and he’s secretly hatching a plan to meet them.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, he looks like he is having fun there!

 

[Zara]

Yes he really enjoys his out of cage time exploring under and over everything