Winnie the Poohs thread

[Audrxna]

I got Winnie for my birthday back in October and unfortunately he is from a petco which is a pet store which isn’t so great! I don’t know how old he is when I got him he was pretty grown so I’d say maybe almost a year? I wasn’t aware of this hamster being bought if I was I would’ve bought him somewhere else.Although I still love him with all my heart and wouldn’t trade him for anything!. i but back in 2020 I did have a dwarf hamster that unfortunately passed away in 2024 it was a girl definitely more feisty and I didn’t have proper care as much as I do now! I feel like a lot of hamster owners have that one hamster they couldn’t provide much for but it was bare minimum.Now I can afford it with Winnie because of my birthday money I had to buy his cage and now it’s definitely made progress since then!He is a very shy hamster and is still getting used to me day by day.Hes definitely calm some days and am able to hold him by the hand some days he’s more skiddish and would rather be alone with I 100% cooperate with.He isn’t the hugest fan of human interaction which I’ve accepted that’s just who he is.Bathtub time also doesn’t seem to be his thing as he just try’s to escape and stresses.He doesn’t bite at all though I will say I think it’s because he’s a boy boys are more calm.Im so happy to be able to provide a good space for him and am able to pet his soft fur.Human interaction definitely wasn’t the reason why I wanted another I just wanted to provide a hamster with a better home than what they were born intoHe loves his greenies and mazuri pellets and is very active at night 4th image was my old hamster who definitely surpassed her life expectancy her name was cloudy.So glad to be having another hamster and will be continuing on the love I have for them

 

[Socks' Mum]

Aw, that's so sweet, you really care about your pets. He's got a wonderful home Winnie looks so beautiful being held Little Cloudy (great name) was a beautiful little hamster

 

[Audrxna]

Aw, that's so sweet, you really care about your pets. He's got a wonderful home Winnie looks so beautiful being held Little Cloudy (great name) was a beautiful little hamster

Thank you so much!

 

[Maz]

Winnie is adorable He has such a gentle look about him - although I am sure he can be cheeky as well ha ha - they all can. He is such a lucky boy to have such a lovely home and loving owner. I am so sorry for your loss of Cloudy (and I also think it was a great name).

Our first hamster was from a pet shop as well and we knew no different. I am glad Winnie has a home with you

 

[Hamster Haven]

What a cutie! And what a great cage set up!

 

[Audrxna]

Hey guys! My hamster has recently in the pass let me hold him and is pretty calm then when I first got him (as seen in the pictures)Now ever since I got him new multi chamber(bigger) and new things he seems to be a little stressed out.My cage is proper care and he’s got new sprays aswell for enrichment.Hes more skiddish and even caught him scratching/pacing his cage which is upsetting.I don’t know what to do! I’ve made an endless amount of boredom breakers and such maybe I just leave him alone when it comes to human interaction? I just get scared when he doesn’t come out on his usual time but I should let him adjust.Please help I hate to see my hammy stressed out and scared of everything!

 

[Audrxna]

Thank you for all the kind words on my past introduction! You guys have really helped me since too

 

[Socks' Mum]

I am sorry to hear Winnie is restless and stressed. Syrians do respond to changes quite strongly. They are small animals with a large potential to range and a great dependence on their home burrow and knowing every inch of it so they can escape from predators or invading hamster competition. The life of a wild hamster is an adrenaline ride and they bring these instincts to captivity. What can we do to help our pets? Well, we can't give them their own house and garden but I think having a burrow as deep as possible helps them to feel secure. They like having more than one entrance, preferable hidden from view, perhaps round the back, and underground space for their hoard where they can watch over it, but perhaps not have to sleep on it. I think hamsters benefit from out of cage time and being taken to a playpen or bathtub, perhaps in a tube for safe carrying, being allowed to move around among tubes and hides in the play pen. I think Syrians usually like people although they may be a bit nervous initially. It is necessary to change things in the cage and to clean, even deep clean, so we have to ask our hammies to please be brave. Perhaps changing just a little bit at a time would help. Your set up is great, lots of space and enrichment. Perhaps give Winnie a week to settle and then see if he can be tempted into a tube or mug for our of cage time. Syrians are very strong willed, and his restlessness could be a mixture of fear and a wish to explore and find places to tunnel, or perhaps even look for a wife. It's a pity they can't talk, what a lot we would learn.

 

[Maz]

Hey guys! My hamster has recently in the pass let me hold him and is pretty calm then when I first got him (as seen in the pictures)Now ever since I got him new multi chamber(bigger) and new things he seems to be a little stressed out.My cage is proper care and he’s got new sprays aswell for enrichment.Hes more skiddish and even caught him scratching/pacing his cage which is upsetting.I don’t know what to do! I’ve made an endless amount of boredom breakers and such maybe I just leave him alone when it comes to human interaction? I just get scared when he doesn’t come out on his usual time but I should let him adjust.Please help I hate to see my hammy stressed out and scared of everything!

Hi. It sounds like he is a bit stressed by the fact things have "changed" - even if they are positive changes, like a nice new multiroom house and other new things. If older things have been replaced, or things moved around, or some cleaning done at the same time, he probably will feel skitty as they scent mark everything in the cage. Partly this is to find their way around easily by smell (as they really don't see very well), partly it's to mark it as their own territory.

So if it has been a few things changing location, being moved, taken away or added he will feel skitty I think.

Perhaps for the next week, it would be best to leave him alone a bit to adjust again and have some space to himself so he can get used to the change. You can still offer him treats and talk to him though Saying reassuring things to them does help!

Some hamsters, even after just a very minor change, will be skitty for a few days. It sounds like he just needs to get his confidence back again and then he'll be happy and enjoying his new things.