Introducing... Rory!

[Maz]

Also maybe you could find something he likes walking into that you can lift out with him in it (but put your hands over any exits in case he tries to jump). I usually use either a rat tube with a smelly treat at the far end, or a snooze cube. Then it’s not like a hand coming from above.

A dwarf hamster may hop on your hand when they want to come out but Syrians are difficult!

 

[HamsterMumMo]

It needs to be a 12" flying saucer. Or if you have a spare wheel you could have that in the playpen. It's better not to use things from their cage as then they get stressy about the cage having been disturbed, or confused as to why familiar smelling cage items are in the playpen. They are very fussy!

You don't need a lot in the playpen - cardboard boxes or tunnels are fine. This is the saucer I have

Trixie plastic running disc 30cm

Ah that's really good to know! Okay thank you, I'll order him that saucer and get together some few other bits for a separate set-up in the playpen

Also maybe you could find something he likes walking into that you can lift out with him in it (but put your hands over any exits in case he tries to jump). I usually use either a rat tube with a smelly treat at the far end, or a snooze cube. Then it’s not like a hand coming from above.

A dwarf hamster may hop on your hand when they want to come out but Syrians are difficult!

I was using a cardboard tube (old packaging from a candle) - essentially a tube closed off one one end (it's in one of the images from my opening post. Whether he liked it... debatable... sometimes he was okay to climb in, sometimes I was chasing him around the enclosure with it - but I won't do that anymore!

 

[Maz]

The cardboard tube looks quite wide enough - how long is it?

 

[HamsterMumMo]

The cardboard tube looks quite wide enough - how long is it?

Almost 5 inches!

 

[Maz]

Ok - I use this rat tube, which is longer - and clear and open at both ends so maybe something like that would be more tempting? It doesn't have to be clear - I've used a cardboard tube before as well, but needs to be long enough I think, so the hamster has room behind them when going to the far end where the treat is - or they just back out again!

Savic rat tube

I don't know if it'll make much difference but he might sit longer in a longer tube so it could be lifted out with a hand over each end.

This one is cheaper but any tube of that length would be fine.

Rat tube

 

[Zara]

Hello Rory, he’s gorgeous, congratulations He’s looking happy and relaxed exploring around his new home and having fun running at night with quick checks to ensure alls good. I think just keep chatting away to him whilst he’s in his cage and doing what you are and the taming will progress in time.

We had a pop up enclosure for our Syrian, just with tubes and various sized cardboard boxes, plus a spare wheel and he enjoyed his nightly trips out for a roam but it took us nearly 6 months to get that point. They are all so different in personality, look forward to reading your updates.

 

[HamsterMumMo]

Ok - I use this rat tube, which is longer - and clear and open at both ends so maybe something like that would be more tempting? It doesn't have to be clear - I've used a cardboard tube before as well, but needs to be long enough I think, so the hamster has room behind them when going to the far end where the treat is - or they just back out again!

Savic rat tube

I don't know if it'll make much difference but he might sit longer in a longer tube so it could be lifted out with a hand over each end.

This one is cheaper but any tube of that length would be fine.

Rat tube

Thank you Maz! Thinking about popping out to the shops to get a few bits for playpen set up today so will probably grab a larger tube

 

[HamsterMumMo]

Hello Rory, he’s gorgeous, congratulations He’s looking happy and relaxed exploring around his new home and having fun running at night with quick checks to ensure alls good. I think just keep chatting away to him whilst he’s in his cage and doing what you are and the taming will progress in time.

We had a pop up enclosure for our Syrian, just with tubes and various sized cardboard boxes, plus a spare wheel and he enjoyed his nightly trips out for a roam but it took us nearly 6 months to get that point. They are all so different in personality, look forward to reading your updates.

Thank you so much Zara! Shy as he is I secretly think he’d love a compliment so I’ll be sure to pass on

It’s also so reassuring to hear from other people that all is well and that I just need to trust the process. Excited to start the playpen time properly which will hopefully help or at least let us see him more!

 

[HamsterMumMo]

A haul of some bits and bobs I got for Rory’s playpen today (plus some extra treats because I’m that mum )

•Large cardboard tube - @Maz this one's for you! Ahaha joking but I will try using this with a smelly tasty treat at the end getting him out and also good to have in the playpen too
•Harvest nibble pot with beetroot - thought this could be some nice tasty enrichment to keep him engaged
•Apple, Linseed & Peanut Harvest Hoops - I think he likes apple so wanted to give him some variety!
•Apple & Thistle Blossom sticks - same thinking with the apple. Wanted to get him something hanging!
•Crunchy Dried Fruit Mix - these are so blooming expensive for what they are! Mostly wanted them for the dried banana as hamsters in the past loved them! I’ve been trying to hunt down in a supermarket and they’ve been much cheaper with a lot more in the bag but unfortunately they tend to always be coated in oil/sugar, etc.
•Rosewood Harvest Festival Sorays - Rory doesn’t seem fussed by any sprays other than flax which he loves (need to order some more online! Doesn’t seem to be readily available in stores anywhere?) but these will be good to fill out/clutter his enclosure even more
•Whimzees! Every hamster seems to love these - let’s see what little Mr thinks

 

[Daisy]

A haul of some bits and bobs I got for Rory’s playpen today (plus some extra treats because I’m that mum )

•Large cupboard tube - @Maz this ones for you! Ahaha joking but I will try using this and also good to have in the playpen too
•Harvest nibble pot with beetroot - thought this could be some nice tasty enrichment to keep him engaged
•Apple, Linseed & Peanut Harvest Hoops - I think he likes apple so wanted to give him some variety!
•Apple & Thistle Blossom sticks - same thinking with the apple. Wanted to get him something hanging!
•Crunchy Dried Fruit Mix - these are so blooming expensive for what they are! Mostly wanted them for the dried banana as hamsters in the past loved them! I’ve been trying to hunt down in a supermarket and they’ve been much cheaper with a lot more in the bag but unfortunately they tend to always be coated in oil/sugar, etc.
•Rosewood Harvest Festival Sorays - Rory doesn’t seem fussed by any sprays other than flax which he loves (need to order some more online! Doesn’t seem to be readily available in stores anywhere?) but these will be good to fill out/clutter his enclosure even more
•Whimzees! Every hamster seems to love these - let’s see what little Mr thinks

That all looks lovely! Rory is going to be so spoiled.

A word of caution with beetroot, it can cause red or pink urine. It's harmless but will give you a massive shock when you see it!

 

[HamsterMumMo]

That all looks lovely! Rory is going to be so spoiled.

A word of caution with beetroot, it can cause red or pink urine. It's harmless but will give you a massive shock when you see it!

Ah THANK YOU so much for this warning! I had no idea so definitely would have absolutely freaked out!!

 

[Maz]

Love the tube He’s a lucky boy to have so many nice treats.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Congratulations on adopting Rory. I am so happy for you! He is such a cute little boy.

 

[HamsterMumMo]

Update on Rory - I gave him a playpen roam on Saturday night, or shall I say yesterday morning as he made me wait until a 1:27am!! Unbelievable. It's like he knew I was waiting for him!

He didn't seem as keen this time round compared to the first time. Not sure if it's because it wasn't the stuff from his enclosure this time so didn't feel as familiar/safe? It's hard to know when a hamster is/isn't enjoying something really, but this time I guess he seemed more skittish maybe, short runs between things? But then could that be excitement?! Gosh I don't know! He was also quite jumpy whenever I went in for a little stroke On the plus side, I did get to weigh him again finally. He's growing nicely, just over 100g currently (from around 80g about 2-3 weeks ago and tiny 60g around about a week after we brought him home)

Last night, he woke me up twice in the middle of the night with the whole 'poop clattering in the wheel' thing (not ideal!) and both times he seemed somewhat okay with me coming in to move it off and having a little stroke.

Honestly just feels like one step forwards, 5 steps back at the moment. I'm trying to be patient and stay positive and hopeful, but just feels like I'm fighting a losing battle currently

 

[Socks' Mum]

Update on Rory - I gave him a playpen roam on Saturday night, or shall I say yesterday morning as he made me wait until a 1:27am!! Unbelievable. It's like he knew I was waiting for him!

He didn't seem as keen this time round compared to the first time. Not sure if it's because it wasn't the stuff from his enclosure this time so didn't feel as familiar/safe? It's hard to know when a hamster is/isn't enjoying something really, but this time I guess he seemed more skittish maybe, short runs between things? But then could that be excitement?! Gosh I don't know! He was also quite jumpy whenever I went in for a little stroke On the plus side, I did get to weigh him again finally. He's growing nicely, just over 100g currently (from around 80g about 2-3 weeks ago and tiny 60g around about a week after we brought him home)

Last night, he woke me up twice in the middle of the night with the whole 'poop clattering in the wheel' thing (not ideal!) and both times he seemed somewhat okay with me coming in to move it off and having a little stroke.

Honestly just feels like one step forwards, 5 steps back at the moment. I'm trying to be patient and stay positive and hopeful, but just feels like I'm fighting a losing battle currently

That's really good, there he is eating out in the open in his pen. If you can get an animal eating, that's a really good start I think. 100g is really good, he must be eating really well. Great news!

 

[RainbowBrite]

Hamsters poop and eat on their wheel a lot and this is normal. My hamster likes to eat seeds on his wheel and runs and it does make a noise.

I still think it is very early days and you really have nothing to worry about. My previous hamster was very shy. I waited until he came out and offered him a tube and in time he learned the tube took him to the playpen and he decided if he wanted to go in it or not. Some days he wanted to and other days he did not. This helped me know if he wanted to use his playpen.

Do not worry because it can take a few months for a hamster to feel settled. There really is no rush.

 

[Maz]

I think that sounds like real progress! He will be jumpy at touch and stroke initially but will get used to that after more sessions. The other thing you could try next, when he's out, is just having your hand flat on the floor of the playpen, palm up for a while. Maybe with some food on - hamster mix or pumpkin seeds or something. It can make your arm ache a bit leaving it there for a while and not moving! But he may edge back and forth deciding whether to eat from your hand. That can progress to sitting on your hand to eat and that is also real progress. Or just walking over the palm of your hand. It does take time and patience. If you get to the stage where he'll just walk over the palm of your hand while he's in the playpen, that's when you can start lifting your hand a bit - maybe just half an inch or so, but still let him continue to walk off. When he gets used to that, you can lift it a bit higher - but still let him walk off. From there you can go to one hand in front of the other so he walks from hand to hand a couple of times and from there it can go to picking up and holding. But that could all be over a period of a few weeks.

I would try the food on the palm of the hand next time I usually don't try to get them out more than twice a week - unless he's showing he wants to come out!

 

[HamsterMumMo]

Thank you all for the reassurance! I know it's been said a million times before, but in those moments when you're starting to lose hope a little kind reminder really helps.

I know I need to keep reminding myself: 1) he's still young! and 2) it's still somewhat early days. I think the latter is probably what's harder for me as I've had Syrians in the past where there really wasn't much of a "process" to taming at all, it just happened so easily and naturally! And of course you read about those experiences too. Just need to remember he's his own little being and he's just different to what I've previously "known" is all. And I also need to remember that just because something doesn't seem to be "working" initially, it doesn't mean it's not progress. It's still a step forward as it could be the 4th, 5th, 6th, xth time that it will work!

Ahah thank you Rainbow yes I know it's totally normal for him to poop on his wheel - I just wish I wasn't such a light/sensitive sleeper as it wakes me up each time!

Thanks Maz, I'll definitely try my palm in the playpen again

How funny, he's just come out to eat his treats as I'm typing this

 

[Maz]

Our first one took the longest to be able to handle. It was about 3 months. And it sounded just like you had - jumping if you tried to touch him. Then one day he walked over my palm. The next day he did it when I raised my palm and that same day he was suddenly not just pick up able, but incredibly happy to be picked up by anyone and even sit in your pocket! No more pinging! So it can take quite a while but then just suddenly happen. I think that's usually the way - Raffy took some time as well as he was scared of hands. But as you say, they are all different personalities and backgrounds as well. And some is just getting used to you.

 

[HamsterMumMo]

Our first one took the longest to be able to handle. It was about 3 months. And it sounded just like you had - jumping if you tried to touch him. Then one day he walked over my palm. The next day he did it when I raised my palm and that same day he was suddenly not just pick up able, but incredibly happy to be picked up by anyone and even sit in your pocket! No more pinging! So it can take quite a while but then just suddenly happen. I think that's usually the way - Raffy took some time as well as he was scared of hands. But as you say, they are all different personalities and backgrounds as well. And some is just getting used to you.

Thank you so much Maz, it’s so lovely to hear stories like this, it really helps! As currently I feel like I’m tiptoeing around to keep him happy not running away! Hopefully it won’t always be that way ahahah

I did just now sit by his enclosure while he was out and he let me talk to him while he was in his sand bath and then went for a nibble. He went back into his burrow after a few minutes (think he was definitely waiting for lights out and me gone to properly come out, use his wheel, etc.) but it was a nice moment