Hi folks. Here is Kage - with a K.

[Maz]

Having said all that - I'm talking about Syrian hamsters there. Some robos and dwarf hamsters do come out in the day - they vary.

 

[Rescued One]

It’s a bit more than coming out when there’s less chance of predators . They have very unusual eyes - it’s quite scientific - Syrian hamsters have an abundance of rods and only one cone in their eyes - as such they see better in the dark and their eyes are genetically wired to cope with low light. I will have to look up the research and link it on here as it’s very interesting. They also have certain biorhythms that can affect their general health - and make them super active at night.

So they need to be awake in the dark and asleep during the day. However, as pets, they can adjust to getting up earlier in the evening especially when they want out of cage time.

It’s why it’s usually recommended to have the lights go out around the same time every night. However I don’t think that’s a hard and fast rule because they do adjust to our routines.

I had one super active male Syrisn who would come out to free roam at about 11pm at night and would happily be up for hours , even with the lights on - he often kept me up until 3am! Although it was dim lighting. That is not common for male Syrians though - they tend to be more shy/lazy.

But he will be coming out less at night because you’re there

So once he’s been with you about two weeks, you could offer him a tube to walk into with a smelly treat at the far end (eg cucumber) when he gets up for his veg. Maybe 11pm? Or you can get them getting up earlier by having feeding time say 9pm at night. They get in a routine of getting up for food when they hear the noises - cage door opening, rustling noises and the smell of the veg.

And that’s the time you can offer a tube/taxi to take them to a playpen or the dry bathtub for some taming and socialising time

Once they get in the habit of that they usually want to come out and will always walk into a tube - you kind of train them to always walk into a tube.

Then you can have out of cage time with him maybe between 9pm and 11pm and then you have a night’s sleep and him have his wild night time wheel running session - then you can see him early in the morning for breakfast . Some hamsters are still awake at 7am and most at 6am and might even want to come out again then or you can enjoy a bit of breakfast and give him some

Having said that there is nothing wrong with what you’re doing now - except you’ll maybe end up seeing him less in the long run - either way they do well with a routine - that is kind of training them as well.

He is still very young and building in confidence . It’s sometimes not until they are a few months old that they get more active or boisterous, but they also all have their individual personalities as well - which is really nice.

There has been much debate over red lights. Hamsters can’t see the colour red. However they can still see light! They know when it’s not dark. They are virtually colour blind but apparently can see blue and green a bit.

The reason their scent marking is so important (they scent mark everything in their cage) is because they don’t see well - so they find their way around by following scent trails. And it’s why they don’t like things being moved around or changed much. Because they can’t follow their scent trails. Ideally they like everything to remain in exactly the same place. That isn’t always possible and as they get older they do accept the odd thing having to be replaced but it’s best avoided. They don’t like change in their environment.

Likewise we do need to spot clean their pee (if they don’t use a toilet) which bothers them but it can also help them get into better peeing habits (eg peeing in a litter tray!). And with spot cleaning you can go a long time without having to do a bigger clean. The key is not to clean everything at the same time. Maybe the wheel one week and anything else a different week.

Hamsters are actually very clean little things - and quite fussy. The only unhygienic thing is their pee. Some hamsters will actually chuck out a pile of soiled bedding and leave it by the cage door for you to take away! It’s a bit like - I don’t like you messing with my cage so here you are I’ve done it for you

I think you’re doing great - he is taking treats from you and even coming out and running in his wheel while you’re there. And it’s very early days.

It’s so hard when we want to interact with them and have to be patient. I think he is already getting to know you. It’s partly familiarisation and partly trust. The trust builds once you start having out of cage time and some handling.

As regards noises - they soon get used to various noises around the house so don’t worry about that - not only do they get used to them but it helps them know when you’re around. They also adjust to the tv being on (there are photos on here of hamsters watching tv . Or at least sitting looking at it.

As regards light - they are ok with dim lighting - eg lamps - they don’t like very bright lighting - you can almost see them cringe from it. Likewise photos without flash are best.

But they do need some part of each day in the dark - it’s why they sleep in the darkest place possible and come out after dark. For their biorhythms.

It’s time and patience - and one day he’ll be sitting next to you on the sofa or falling asleep on your lap. Or - if he’s a more maverick personality, he will at least sit for a stroke for 10 seconds and interact with you in different ways (looking for your approval etc).

Sometimes the shy ones are the ones that end up being the most affectionate.

My 2 hammies are different as night and day. Peanut was owned by a younger boy and family before surrender and he has a set schedule: up around 6:30-7 pm and will be up on my work days at 5:15 am because he wants his treats and playpen time. Luna, a rescue I have had since 3 months old, is a night owl I have to start rousing around 8 pm so she can do her grooming ritual and maybe get into her playpen by 8:30 pm. Left to her own devices, she would not surface until 10:30-11 pm and would sleep in every morning. She has been conditioned that, after a series of 3 taps and her song x 3 rounds, that I will be digging her out and will have treats ready as a consolation prize
I would start treating Kage with a hand in the cage and I would come up with a specific signal that lets Kage know it's treats and playtime and don't be afraid to stick a treat into his hide entrance to entice him out.
Lastly, since hammie eyes are so different, he may be confused by the red lights and be off his normal day/night cycle. There are several science articles that state that hamsters are dinural (dawn/dusk) in the wild, and more nocturnal in captivity.
Good luck!

 

[Kage]

I clean Socks' tunnels and nest once a week, as near to dinner time as possible, and have to dig him up to do this. He is over two years old though and sleeps much more than a young ham. His pee area is underground and I think his kidneys are getting weaker, so the bedding is usually quite damp, as is his sand based litter tray on the surface. He goes back to sleep in a carrier while I clean, nodding off straight away. But when he was young, he was up practically all night gnawing the bars and climbing up to the roof He still likes to visit the playpen and runs on his wheel while I sit and watch him.

Over the weekend I'm going to set up his play pen and try to get him in it. I'm thinking of using a large coffee jar - empty and clean! - with a slice of banana at the bottom. If anything will tempt him in, I think banana will. He'll have some activities in the pen to keep him occupied while I give his home a clean and hopefully get the second extension installed aswell. Then he will have the recommended floor space - and more - 5,800 plus. I want the best for my little Kage, the best I can give him.

It’s a bit more than coming out when there’s less chance of predators . They have very unusual eyes - it’s quite scientific - Syrian hamsters have an abundance of rods and only one cone in their eyes - as such they see better in the dark and their eyes are genetically wired to cope with low light. I will have to look up the research and link it on here as it’s very interesting. They also have certain biorhythms that can affect their general health - and make them super active at night.

So they need to be awake in the dark and asleep during the day. However, as pets, they can adjust to getting up earlier in the evening especially when they want out of cage time.

It’s why it’s usually recommended to have the lights go out around the same time every night. However I don’t think that’s a hard and fast rule because they do adjust to our routines.

I had one super active male Syrisn who would come out to free roam at about 11pm at night and would happily be up for hours , even with the lights on - he often kept me up until 3am! Although it was dim lighting. That is not common for male Syrians though - they tend to be more shy/lazy.

But he will be coming out less at night because you’re there

So once he’s been with you about two weeks, you could offer him a tube to walk into with a smelly treat at the far end (eg cucumber) when he gets up for his veg. Maybe 11pm? Or you can get them getting up earlier by having feeding time say 9pm at night. They get in a routine of getting up for food when they hear the noises - cage door opening, rustling noises and the smell of the veg.

And that’s the time you can offer a tube/taxi to take them to a playpen or the dry bathtub for some taming and socialising time

Once they get in the habit of that they usually want to come out and will always walk into a tube - you kind of train them to always walk into a tube.

Then you can have out of cage time with him maybe between 9pm and 11pm and then you have a night’s sleep and him have his wild night time wheel running session - then you can see him early in the morning for breakfast . Some hamsters are still awake at 7am and most at 6am and might even want to come out again then or you can enjoy a bit of breakfast and give him some

Having said that there is nothing wrong with what you’re doing now - except you’ll maybe end up seeing him less in the long run - either way they do well with a routine - that is kind of training them as well.

He is still very young and building in confidence . It’s sometimes not until they are a few months old that they get more active or boisterous, but they also all have their individual personalities as well - which is really nice.

There has been much debate over red lights. Hamsters can’t see the colour red. However they can still see light! They know when it’s not dark. They are virtually colour blind but apparently can see blue and green a bit.

The reason their scent marking is so important (they scent mark everything in their cage) is because they don’t see well - so they find their way around by following scent trails. And it’s why they don’t like things being moved around or changed much. Because they can’t follow their scent trails. Ideally they like everything to remain in exactly the same place. That isn’t always possible and as they get older they do accept the odd thing having to be replaced but it’s best avoided. They don’t like change in their environment.

Likewise we do need to spot clean their pee (if they don’t use a toilet) which bothers them but it can also help them get into better peeing habits (eg peeing in a litter tray!). And with spot cleaning you can go a long time without having to do a bigger clean. The key is not to clean everything at the same time. Maybe the wheel one week and anything else a different week.

Hamsters are actually very clean little things - and quite fussy. The only unhygienic thing is their pee. Some hamsters will actually chuck out a pile of soiled bedding and leave it by the cage door for you to take away! It’s a bit like - I don’t like you messing with my cage so here you are I’ve done it for you

I think you’re doing great - he is taking treats from you and even coming out and running in his wheel while you’re there. And it’s very early days.

It’s so hard when we want to interact with them and have to be patient. I think he is already getting to know you. It’s partly familiarisation and partly trust. The trust builds once you start having out of cage time and some handling.

As regards noises - they soon get used to various noises around the house so don’t worry about that - not only do they get used to them but it helps them know when you’re around. They also adjust to the tv being on (there are photos on here of hamsters watching tv . Or at least sitting looking at it.

As regards light - they are ok with dim lighting - eg lamps - they don’t like very bright lighting - you can almost see them cringe from it. Likewise photos without flash are best.

But they do need some part of each day in the dark - it’s why they sleep in the darkest place possible and come out after dark. For their biorhythms.

It’s time and patience - and one day he’ll be sitting next to you on the sofa or falling asleep on your lap. Or - if he’s a more maverick personality, he will at least sit for a stroke for 10 seconds and interact with you in different ways (looking for your approval etc).

Sometimes the shy ones are the ones that end up being the most affectionate.

That is some information you have given me, and thanks for the confidence boost. I'm taking note of every piece of information and advice I get. I can only do my best and hope it's good enough for my little companion, and that he will learn to trust me more as time goes on. Changing my routine to suit his is something I'm happy to do. I do feed him each night at 9pm, I put his veg out at that time, but that doesn't tempt him out. Of course I'll keep trying. I don't know - perhaps he's developing a strong personality all his own, perhaps he'll meet me half way in time. Whatever happens, he can rest assured he'll be loved and cared for always Now on to tonight and see what's in store for the two of us.

 

[Kage]

My 2 hammies are different as night and day. Peanut was owned by a younger boy and family before surrender and he has a set schedule: up around 6:30-7 pm and will be up on my work days at 5:15 am because he wants his treats and playpen time. Luna, a rescue I have had since 3 months old, is a night owl I have to start rousing around 8 pm so she can do her grooming ritual and maybe get into her playpen by 8:30 pm. Left to her own devices, she would not surface until 10:30-11 pm and would sleep in every morning. She has been conditioned that, after a series of 3 taps and her song x 3 rounds, that I will be digging her out and will have treats ready as a consolation prize
I would start treating Kage with a hand in the cage and I would come up with a specific signal that lets Kage know it's treats and playtime and don't be afraid to stick a treat into his hide entrance to entice him out.
Lastly, since hammie eyes are so different, he may be confused by the red lights and be off his normal day/night cycle. There are several science articles that state that hamsters are dinural (dawn/dusk) in the wild, and more nocturnal in captivity.
Good luck!

My 2 hammies are different as night and day. Peanut was owned by a younger boy and family before surrender and he has a set schedule: up around 6:30-7 pm and will be up on my work days at 5:15 am because he wants his treats and playpen time. Luna, a rescue I have had since 3 months old, is a night owl I have to start rousing around 8 pm so she can do her grooming ritual and maybe get into her playpen by 8:30 pm. Left to her own devices, she would not surface until 10:30-11 pm and would sleep in every morning. She has been conditioned that, after a series of 3 taps and her song x 3 rounds, that I will be digging her out and will have treats ready as a consolation prize
I would start treating Kage with a hand in the cage and I would come up with a specific signal that lets Kage know it's treats and playtime and don't be afraid to stick a treat into his hide entrance to entice him out.
Lastly, since hammie eyes are so different, he may be confused by the red lights and be off his normal day/night cycle. There are several science articles that state that hamsters are dinural (dawn/dusk) in the wild, and more nocturnal in captivity.
Good luck!

I really do appreciate the responses I am getting. Thank you all. Can I ask, what lighting do you use? I did read that red lighting would be suitable, but I'm open to other ideas. I do want Kage to feel comfortable. Secondly, doesn't Luna object to be dug out if she's sleeping? I see you have a system to let her know what you'll be doing, so that's another idea I could try. Again open to ideas, but my sole concern is for Kage's welfare and happiness. I want him to have as natural a life as possible.

 

[Maz]

Personally I would tempt them out rather than dig them out, but every hamster is different Some will respond in different ways to others.

How long have you had him now? It'll give an idea what to do for the next stage and when

I'm not quite sure what you mean about what kind of lighting. Here it's either lights on or lights off!

 

[Kage]

Personally I would tempt them out rather than dig them out, but every hamster is different Some will respond in different ways to others.

How long have you had him now? It'll give an idea what to do for the next stage and when

I'm not quite sure what you mean about what kind of lighting. Here it's either lights on or lights off!

I've already made my mind up to tempt him out rather than digging him out. That does seem a little invasive to me.

I've had him two weeks now. Tomorrow night, I'm going to give his home a spot clean, and his main hideout - the Sovereign Suite - needs straightening up due to subsidence brought on by Kage's digging . I don't intend disturbing him unduly, but I do need to clean round a little.

As for the lighting - I mean are normal light bulbs okay, or are the red ones better? The red bulbs I have in are quite dim, but I suppose I could always fit a dimmer switch if I change them for normal light bulbs.

I'd looked in to having a hamster before I made the plunge, but I didn't realise just how much is involved, but I'm loving every second having him, and finding out about him, and learning the right and wrong ways to look after him.

I will set up his play pen before I do anything and hopefully I can get him into his taxi and let him have some play time while I'm busy.