Hammy got out of his cage. I just bought 2 dwarf baby hamsters. I also have a cat, could the cat have eatin the hamster? I look everywhere and cant seem to find small baby hammy. I am worried my cat may have eatin little hamster. I will stay up late tonight and see if he comes out of hiding, I just hope my cat did not eat it. I looked in cracks and where I thought hammy would be, but no luck yet. I can not leave hamster cage open, as my other hamster could escape. I can not leave food our because my cat may eat it. What should I do, to try and find him?
My dwarf hamster escaped how do I find hammy?
- Thread starter rattfan69
- Start date
- Messages
- 20,246
- Reaction score
- 37,308
- Points
- 1,373
Hi. I'm really sorry to hear this. If a small baby dwarf hamster has escaped, it is likely to be frightened and hiding somewhere. I think cats tend to not eat them, but as with other prey, they can "play" with them or injure them. So providing you can't see that the cat has done that or brought you anything, then hopefully your hamster hasn't been found by the cat.
The tricky bit now is finding and catching the hamster, while making sure that cat doesn't. The best option for catching a hamster is a bucket trap - I'll link some info about how to set one up. So tonight, before bed, if you set that up in the same room the hamster cage is in, and leave the doors open to other rooms (in case the hamster is no longer in that room), but you'll need to keep the cat shut in your bedroom with you!
Do you have two floors (eg a house?). If so, the hamster is most likely to be downstairs, so could you manage to keep the cat upstairs in a bedroom with you overnight?
If you're pretty sure the hamster is still in the same room as the cage (eg if you've heard any noises or seen signs of it) then instead, close the doors to that room when you set the bucket trap.
Meanwhile, keep a close eye on your cat - could it go outside for a while? Or is it an indoor cat? If it doesn't go outside, then see if you can keep it to one room for now (a different room from the hamster cage).
You could try listening carefully to see if you hear any noises, but the chances are, it will be asleep somewhere if it's daytime - at least until about 8pm at night (if you're in the US it may not be that late yet
). And even then it may not venture out until after dark.
If it ventures out after dark, then it will be looking for food and foraging materials. Hence you leave a trail of food up to the bucket trap (just the occasional treat spaced out leading to the bucket trap). Eg sunflower seeds. Near the top, have smelly treats to attract the hamster - cucumber, cheese or strawberry eg.
I really hope you find hammy - and if you need any help, just keep posting. Just a tip also, it's better not to keep two dwarf hamsters in the same cage as they can also fight and kill each other! Even though some pet stores still sell them in pairs.
If you have a spare cage you could move the remaining hamster into that - with bedding and set up etc, and put the current cage on the floor in the room with a ramp leading up into it (as well as the bucket trap) as they often want to go back to their nest and familiar smelling environment.
Photo and description of bucket trap here
www.thehamsterforum.com
The tricky bit now is finding and catching the hamster, while making sure that cat doesn't. The best option for catching a hamster is a bucket trap - I'll link some info about how to set one up. So tonight, before bed, if you set that up in the same room the hamster cage is in, and leave the doors open to other rooms (in case the hamster is no longer in that room), but you'll need to keep the cat shut in your bedroom with you!
Do you have two floors (eg a house?). If so, the hamster is most likely to be downstairs, so could you manage to keep the cat upstairs in a bedroom with you overnight?
If you're pretty sure the hamster is still in the same room as the cage (eg if you've heard any noises or seen signs of it) then instead, close the doors to that room when you set the bucket trap.
Meanwhile, keep a close eye on your cat - could it go outside for a while? Or is it an indoor cat? If it doesn't go outside, then see if you can keep it to one room for now (a different room from the hamster cage).
You could try listening carefully to see if you hear any noises, but the chances are, it will be asleep somewhere if it's daytime - at least until about 8pm at night (if you're in the US it may not be that late yet
). And even then it may not venture out until after dark.If it ventures out after dark, then it will be looking for food and foraging materials. Hence you leave a trail of food up to the bucket trap (just the occasional treat spaced out leading to the bucket trap). Eg sunflower seeds. Near the top, have smelly treats to attract the hamster - cucumber, cheese or strawberry eg.
I really hope you find hammy - and if you need any help, just keep posting. Just a tip also, it's better not to keep two dwarf hamsters in the same cage as they can also fight and kill each other! Even though some pet stores still sell them in pairs.
If you have a spare cage you could move the remaining hamster into that - with bedding and set up etc, and put the current cage on the floor in the room with a ramp leading up into it (as well as the bucket trap) as they often want to go back to their nest and familiar smelling environment.
Photo and description of bucket trap here
How to catch an escaped hamster
The best way to catch an escaped hamster is to use the bucket trap. Information on how to set up a bucket trap and other methods to catch your hamster are in this article. It's also important to make sure your hamster cage is secure and...
www.thehamsterforum.com
I live in 1 bedroom apt. I do not have a bucket, but I can buy one. Also I can not leave hamster food on my floor as kitty cat may eat it. I am trying to type .my cat is laying on my arm. I can try to leave a few pieces of hamster food on the floor and hope my cat does not eat the food. i have also looked in boxes and behind my chair and behind the fridge and under my bed and in the closets, no sign of hammy yer. I will keep looking until I find Srephen, that is what I named him, got lose and I hope I can find him. I have not heard any noises in the bedroom, or kitchen, or living room. I had a dream I found my hamster, so hopefully I will catch him, once I find him.
Last edited by a moderator:
By the way I have an indoor cat. i also have wild mice, that my cat had in her mouth, but she let it go. So i assume she might do that to hamster. I will keep looking until I find him and I will buy a bucket and set up the trap, thanks for your help.
Last edited:
- Messages
- 20,246
- Reaction score
- 37,308
- Points
- 1,373
Hello. Pros and cons to it being a 1 bed flat then Pros are - it's not too big an area for a hamster to be hiding in. Cons are - indoor cat doesn't have anywhere else to go! But also you need to go round checking there are no ventilation slots a hamster could get into (sometimes flats have these) or any holes in the floor near pipework (eg under a sink). What is the kitchen like? Could a hamster get under the cupboards, or is that space blocked off by pelmet boards eg?
You will need to try and find a way to keep the cat in the bedroom with you overnight I think, so you can set a trap for the hamster and leave food out. The hamster will need food (and maybe water as well). How long has Stephen been missing?
It doesn't have to be a bucket - a waste bin would do - those tall kitchen bins work ok if you take the top off (and put a blanket in the bottom as it's a bigger drop) but then it's harder to set up a book staircase to something taller like that (you need a lot of books!).
Personally I think your best option for catching the hamster is to have the hamster cage on the floor, with the door open and a ramp leading up to it - it works as well as a bucket trap and maybe even better. But for that you need
a) Somewhere else to put the other hamster
b) To keep the cat in your bedroom overnight.
Do you have some kind of large storage box? Like an Ikea samla type box? Those can make a kind of temporary hamster cage - just put bedding and other items in. Then you could move the remaining hamster into the temporary bin cage and put the hamster cage on the floor when you go to bed. I've caught a couple of hamsters that way. What type of cage is it? Do you have a photo?
Now obviously an open bin cage isn't good with a cat around but if the cat was kept in the bedroom overnight, it should be ok for one night - then you'd either need a second hamster cage or make a lid for the bin cage (which is a bit of diy - it means cutting most of the lid out, just leaving the rim, and meshing the open space for ventilation. Even then it would need securing or the cat would just flip the lid off.
So if you don't have a lot of books, and you don't have a bucket, then cage on the floor (a cushion makes a good ramp up to the door), and temporary bin cage for the other hamster. So maybe go out and buy a bin for a bin cage instead! Or - a second hamster cage,
Once you catch Stephen, they can't really live together again anyway - once they have been separated, even for a few hours, the first hamster will get territorial over the cage, and they will almost certainly fight and one could kill the other one.
The Hamster could still be hiding somewhere - they're very good at that. I couldn't find one once (and he was a big syrian) even though I knew he was in that room somewhere! They are crafty and keep moving around if you're looking in one area (and it's self protection if they're scared).
Pros are - it's not too big an area for a hamster to be hiding in. Cons are - indoor cat doesn't have anywhere else to go! But also you need to go round checking there are no ventilation slots a hamster could get into (sometimes flats have these) or any holes in the floor near pipework (eg under a sink). What is the kitchen like? Could a hamster get under the cupboards, or is that space blocked off by pelmet boards eg?You will need to try and find a way to keep the cat in the bedroom with you overnight I think, so you can set a trap for the hamster and leave food out. The hamster will need food (and maybe water as well). How long has Stephen been missing?
It doesn't have to be a bucket - a waste bin would do - those tall kitchen bins work ok if you take the top off (and put a blanket in the bottom as it's a bigger drop) but then it's harder to set up a book staircase to something taller like that (you need a lot of books!).
Personally I think your best option for catching the hamster is to have the hamster cage on the floor, with the door open and a ramp leading up to it - it works as well as a bucket trap and maybe even better. But for that you need
a) Somewhere else to put the other hamster
b) To keep the cat in your bedroom overnight.
Do you have some kind of large storage box? Like an Ikea samla type box? Those can make a kind of temporary hamster cage - just put bedding and other items in. Then you could move the remaining hamster into the temporary bin cage and put the hamster cage on the floor when you go to bed. I've caught a couple of hamsters that way. What type of cage is it? Do you have a photo?
Now obviously an open bin cage isn't good with a cat around but if the cat was kept in the bedroom overnight, it should be ok for one night - then you'd either need a second hamster cage or make a lid for the bin cage (which is a bit of diy - it means cutting most of the lid out, just leaving the rim, and meshing the open space for ventilation. Even then it would need securing or the cat would just flip the lid off.
So if you don't have a lot of books, and you don't have a bucket, then cage on the floor (a cushion makes a good ramp up to the door), and temporary bin cage for the other hamster. So maybe go out and buy a bin for a bin cage instead! Or - a second hamster cage,
Once you catch Stephen, they can't really live together again anyway - once they have been separated, even for a few hours, the first hamster will get territorial over the cage, and they will almost certainly fight and one could kill the other one.
The Hamster could still be hiding somewhere - they're very good at that. I couldn't find one once (and he was a big syrian) even though I knew he was in that room somewhere! They are crafty and keep moving around if you're looking in one area (and it's self protection if they're scared).
Last edited:
- Messages
- 20,246
- Reaction score
- 37,308
- Points
- 1,373
Another tip - I have found they go behind the fridge sometimes. However don't try and move that out (if it's actually moveable) or the hamster might get hurt/injured while you're moving it. Which is why you either need the bucket trap or the cage on the floor. Assume the kitchen is open plan to the main room?
I have boxes by my bed, that I have to go through, but he could be under the bed, which I can not see real well. I do have kitchen sink underneith doors that can be open, My cat likes to hide out there. I looked and did not seem hammy. I did move the fridge. I did not know that could hurt him but I did not seem Stephen behind the bridge. I will not move the fridge again. Thanks for letting me know about the fridge. I did check the kitchen behind the fridge and in the cabnets, still no hammy, Yes the kitchen is in the same room as my living room.
I do have totes to put bedding in and I have books, that I can use. I have a lot of books. I will put that cat in the bedroom and shut the door. That is a great idea, so I can leave the cage open. I did hear this is a good way to catch Hamsters. There is two doors that open on the cage. 1 door on top and one door in middle of cage. I can leave both doors open. Once I move other hamster to new cage. As far as two hamster they lived together in the pet store and I kept an eye on them and they were getting along, but if i have to seperate them I can do so.
I do have totes to put bedding in and I have books, that I can use. I have a lot of books. I will put that cat in the bedroom and shut the door. That is a great idea, so I can leave the cage open. I did hear this is a good way to catch Hamsters. There is two doors that open on the cage. 1 door on top and one door in middle of cage. I can leave both doors open. Once I move other hamster to new cage. As far as two hamster they lived together in the pet store and I kept an eye on them and they were getting along, but if i have to seperate them I can do so.
- Messages
- 20,246
- Reaction score
- 37,308
- Points
- 1,373
That sounds great. They sometimes do get along until their hormones kick in when they're about 3 months old - and that's when the problems can start. But also, if they're ever away from each other for a period of time, their territorial instincts will have kicked in quickly and it wouldn't be safe to put them back together again then. Also sometimes it can just be bullying and dominance rather than fighting (one hamster hogging everything and getting bigger and the other getting smaller and not thriving). They do perfectly find living on their own and are quite happy - the difficulty is it means two cages.
How tall are your tote boxes? I bet Stephen is under your bed, cosy in a pile of clothes somewhere. I could be good to try putting the cat OUT of the bedroom for now, pulling everything out from under the bed and seeing if you can find the hamster there first! They like cosy piles of clothes and dark spaces. Then if no luck, you could swap around - keep the cat in the bedroom with you when you go to bed and have the hamster cage on the floor with the front door open - and a few seeds leading up to the door (and a smelly treat just inside the door). Can you create some kind of ramp up to the front cage door? With mine, the door opened down and reached the floor and I then just put a cushion on it so it was easy to walk up and into the cage.
How tall are your tote boxes? I bet Stephen is under your bed, cosy in a pile of clothes somewhere. I could be good to try putting the cat OUT of the bedroom for now, pulling everything out from under the bed and seeing if you can find the hamster there first! They like cosy piles of clothes and dark spaces. Then if no luck, you could swap around - keep the cat in the bedroom with you when you go to bed and have the hamster cage on the floor with the front door open - and a few seeds leading up to the door (and a smelly treat just inside the door). Can you create some kind of ramp up to the front cage door? With mine, the door opened down and reached the floor and I then just put a cushion on it so it was easy to walk up and into the cage.
My totes are tall and wide, not sure of the Measurements. I just removed hamster and put in the tote with some bedding, wheel, water in bowl, there is no place to put water bottle. so I added the small food dish and put water in it, for hammy to drink. I put hamster in the totoe along, with food as well, and chew toys. I have the cage open and on the floor, so hopefully he will climb on in, the door reaches the floor, so hammy can climb right it. I will put cat in bedroom, but she cries cause she wants out, she is used to anywhere in my apt.
- Messages
- 20,246
- Reaction score
- 37,308
- Points
- 1,373
It's going to be a difficult night then - I hope you can keep your cat happy for the one night. Well done. So the cage on the floor - does that still have the old bedding in ? That will help as it will smell familiar. If you can leave some familar things in it will tempt him back. Is there still a wheel in the cage? If not I would risk leaving the other hamster in the tote without a cage for tonight and put the wheel back in the cage - that is something else he'll come back for - to run in his wheel. So do you have a smelly bit of food inside the cage? Eg cucumber or cheese? I would put one bit just inside the cage - a bit further away from the door just inside. And other bit just before the entrance to the cage (maybe two different things - one cucumber, one cheese maybe_ and a little trail of sunflower seeds leading up to the cage entrance and right up into it. Assume the water bottle is still in the cage,
When you go to bed, make sure all the lights are out and you and the cat are shut in the bedroom! Hopefully in the morning you'll find him asleep in the cage.
The water bowl in the tote - just keep that very shallow with water so he can't get too wet if he falls in!
When you go to bed, make sure all the lights are out and you and the cat are shut in the bedroom! Hopefully in the morning you'll find him asleep in the cage.
The water bowl in the tote - just keep that very shallow with water so he can't get too wet if he falls in!
I put the wheel back in the cage, and yes, there is old bedding as well. I do not have cucumber or cheese. I have to go to the store, so I can buy some more cheese. I ate the last cheese for my sandwhich last night. I usually have cheese on me. The water is very shallow as it is very small and tiny, is perfect size for hamsters. I am going to stay awake intil 2 or 3 in the morning, maybe hamster will show up in his cage.
I also had to remove clothes from my closets and I have a pile of clothes on my bed and I have boxes every where in my bed room, so hammy could be anywhere at the moment. I hope he ventures out ends up in his cage, if he is with my clothes I would never find him in the clothes pile on my bed. If hamster is scared will he come out of hiding to find his cage? he is really tiny, hard to see him.
- Messages
- 20,246
- Reaction score
- 37,308
- Points
- 1,373
Also I'd suggest not staying up till 2 or 3am and just go to bed. I know it's hard but he is more likely to come out once he can sense there is no one awake and the place is very quiet. I've been there and they literally seem to know if you're awake ha ha. If he goes back to his cage he should be asleep by 7am and you can go and check. If you don't get him tonight you'll be able to see if he's taken any food.
I am going shopping on Monday. I am out of apples and lettus. All i have is TV dinners. I was going to order some pizza, could I put a small slice of pizza in hamster cage? Will hammy eventually come out to his cage? or will i have to find him, cause I have no idea where he is. I looked all over the place prob under the bed, but when I looked I only seen under the bed, some of it, from what I could see there was no hammy. But he could still could be under the bed somewhere. i looked in all my closets and no sign of hammy. He is really hiding very well, like my cat likes to hide and I am used to looking in places where animals usually hide. I will let you know if the cage trick worked. I normally stay awake late at night. I sleep like a hamster.
- Messages
- 20,246
- Reaction score
- 37,308
- Points
- 1,373
If you're a bit of a hamster yourself it could be tricky! They like us to be asleep at night. I have often sat in the room, quietly, in the dark waiting to see if a hamster came out in their cage (eg a new, shy one) and no matter how long I sat there, they didn't. Once I went to bed I could hear the hamster out and running in the wheel. It might be ok if you're in a different room (bedroom with the door closed, but you'll need to be really quiet!
I order no kill mouse trap off of amazon. I am going to find hammy, the master escape artist. I also have the cage doors open with peanut better in the cage. I will find my missing hamster no matter what it takes, unless my cat eat the hamster, that is also another poss. I have seen my cat catch wild mice in my aprt, she had little mousy in her mouth, she was carring it around.