4 thoughtful things to do to welcome your new hamster

Hi guys, I just wanted to share 4 tips to help you and your new hamster to settle down in a new life. I know there are lots of information out there, but these are 4 things that I always do when I have to welcome a new hamster.

1. Before getting your hamster, ensure that you have completely set up her new forever home. Imagine if you were forced to move away from home and family, and you had no say in the matter. You are scared and cautious of the alien environment so the least you could hope for is that the living situation is comfortable right? So make your hamster feel welcomed by introducing it to a nicely set up habitat.

Make sure that the cage you have chosen is well-ventilated with adequate living space. Some things that you should include in her cage are:

- At least 2 little sleeping houses to reduce the stress she may feel

- Food and water

- Bedding and soft nesting material

- A wheel

- Some toys

2) When picking your your new hamster, ask the breeder/pet store owner for some of her used bedding

Whether you choose to get your hamster from a pet store or a breeder, always try to make the conscientious decision to get your hamster from an ethical one. A good tip is to ask for some used bedding that your hamster has it's scent on to take away with you. You can leave the bedding in the carrier container that you transport her home in which would make the journey back less stressful. Once you get home, mix the used bedding in with the new one in her habitat. This creates a familiar scent that your hamster is used to in it's previous home which makes the transition a tiny bit less stressful. Imagine once again that you were told to leave home to live in a foreign place. You would want to bring something familiar with you right? So every little bit helps!

3) Cage location - It is very important to choose a room after considering the following criteria:

- Quiet, without too much activity and noise. Noise stresses out hamsters due to it's acute sense of hearing

- Consistent temperature that isn't too hot noor cold

- Away from other nosey pets like dogs and cats (the scents of a predatory animal may cause unnecessary stress and paranoia)

- Where you spend alot of your time. This is important as your hamster has to get accustomed to your scent and voice.

When we first got Sponge (beloved previous hamster to Mouse), we put her cage in the kitchen. The kitchen door had a self-closing hinge that slammed the door shut everytime someone opened it to enter or leave. Regretably, the sound of the door regularly slamming shut caused Sponge to be really jumpy. Everytime she cautiously came out of her house for food and water, she would run for dear life if she sensed me approaching. Additionall, because we only used the kitchen to cook and for food, she did not get used to our voices and scents (the smell of food probably confused her too :D ) I had a hard time bonding with her in the first two weeks and she was terrified of us.

Then I figured out what was wrong and relocated her cage to the living room, which was quiet and warm. The living room was also where we spent most of our evenings in and everytime I walked in, I would call out her name in a calm voice. Surprisingly, she started to come out of her shell, well, her house in this case, and became curious of the new but calmer surrounding. That was when I felt she was ready for her trust training and as many of you would know, became the sweetest hamster ever.

4) Give your hamster ample time to settle down

Like human beings, not all hamsters are created equal. Some hamsters are more timid by nature, and some are confident as hell.

Usually, when you introduce your hamster into her new habitat, she would either do one of two things (well, all of mine did anyway):

1) Sniff around apprehensively to explore then scarper for dear life into the closest available shelter

2) Immediately leg it and run straight into the cloest shelter, cower in fear and feel sorry for itself

It is completely normal and acceptable for your new hamster to be terrified of everything and not trust you. Usually, as a rule of thumb, leave your hamster alone to settle for the first 2-3 days. Afterwhich, gauge her behavour and personality by how apprehensive she behaves when you are around. A good way to start buildng trust is to provide treats and fresh vegetables and fruits daily by hand.

Try to pick a time she is awake and more active (usually during dawn or dusk). Call her name and talk to her softly whilst slowly lowering the food into her cage. Try using a stronger smelling treat and soon you will see a twitching nose emerge from her hiding place. Keep doing this until she is comfortable with your daily intrusion and she would slowly start to associate your hand/smell/voice with food and treats. Soon, she will be comfortable to be out in the open with your hand in her cage and you can try stroking her to introduce touch. However, if she panicks at your touch, it probably means she is not ready. Slow and steady progression is the key!

In summary:

- DON"T force your hamster to do anything it is not comfortable with

- DO always put yourself in the hamster's position and think "Would I want to be treated this way?"

- DON'T be disheartened if your hamster takes longer to warm up to you

- DO be patient, never forceful

- DON'T put your hamster in a loud and noisy environment

- DO things that cultivates trust

- DO use food and treats as a way to bond. Hamsters are very greedy and food orientated.

Constant interaction in bite sizes in the key to building trust and a lasting bond with your hamster.

Lots of luff & fluff,

Rach & Mouse