Vet Trauma and Adjusting Schedule

[Socks' Mum]

Hamsters can hear our breathing and possibly even our heart beat. They use ultrasound so may even have a handle on our electrostatic state and muscle tension, blood pressure and body temp. So being in a relaxed state is good around them. They record and remember everything about us! Their main activity is to remember things and to map familiar areas. They are amazing little creatures

 

[Socks' Mum]

They hunt using a sensitivity to heat and vibration, so a big, warm, blood pulsing, moving things like a human hand is quite an encounter. The smell of human breath and sounds of movement must sound a big like traffic does to us. But many hamsters adapt quite quickly to these stimuli, especially if they bring things they enjoy eating. They learn to exploit us in very charming ways.

 

[RoboMommy]

I have a little Orphie diary lol. And the little dude is very happy with his crazy amount of enrichment. He is learning to navigate his burrow starter better and we could see came out at normal time on the cam. Thanks for all the support.

 

[RoboMommy]

We are going to try a toy lure only out when we’re there. He seems to not be as food motivated.

 

[RoboMommy]

Last thing - do any safe hamster relaxation supplements exist? He went through that much of a scare…

 

[Maz]

I would try music actually . Mine tend to respond - favourites were Brahms lullaby, Over the Rainbow (Judy Garpand version), and a couple of children’s type songs- the sun has got his hat on and rub rabbit run (I have the old Flanagan and Allen version of that last one.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Rachel got hamsters on You Tube has just done a lovely episode on hamsters. She is very experienced on Robos and has great advice about taming, so it's worth watching. She also praised The Hamster Forum and said lovely things about the Forum Her broadcasts are wonderful, laid back and relaxing but very informative and full of love for hammies

 

[RoboMommy]

We’ve watched some of hers and lots of Victoria Rachael. He has many many hides and sprays and a giant wheel and burrow starter and suspension bridge and sand box and litter box and tunnel. Also just got him a rope chew toy - think he’s a play motivated and tactile little guy so it’ll be the special toy mommy and daddy only put in while he’s out. And some dried banana snacks. I’ll definitely keep closely recording and try the kids songs and classical. Sand sounds weren’t working. Kind of likes my lullabies but I’m not the best singer lol.

 

[Maz]

We’ve watched some of hers and lots of Victoria Rachael. He has many many hides and sprays and a giant wheel and burrow starter and suspension bridge and sand box and litter box and tunnel. Also just got him a rope chew toy - think he’s a play motivated and tactile little guy so it’ll be the special toy mommy and daddy only put in while he’s out. And some dried banana snacks. I’ll definitely keep closely recording and try the kids songs and classical. Sand sounds weren’t working. Kind of likes my lullabies but I’m not the best singer lol.

I just used recordings

 

[RoboMommy]

I will in the future

 

[Rescued One]

Thanks so much! How long should we try to get him to poke out earlier at night before shifting back to morning which worked before the visit? And temperature…interesting. What temperature change do you recommend?

I would try your "come and play" routine morning and night. Luna was super-shy, too. What worked was a "feeding station" - special little bowl that had super-tasty treats in it. Week 1 station was placed right outside of hide entrance after "come and play invitation" without further interference AM and PM. Week 2, station was placed further away so that hammie head had to come out to grab the treats. By end of week two, I was standing by cage talking while treats were snagged. Week 3 half of hammie has to come out to get treats, by end of week 3 my hand is in cage while treats are snagged. Week 4 whole hammie is out and hand is very near feeding station, etc. It takes time, but be consistent with invitation cues and hammie will be out and about in no time

 

[RoboMommy]

Interesting idea…

 

[RoboMommy]

Thanks for all your advice! He doesn’t seem to be a music hammy. Update: after talking to his adoption worker at the great animal rescue place got him from, we dug him out for exposure therapy because she told me the fear will not grow. He had some good playpen time and managed to get somewhat clean. The poor dude was so scared of the surface he hadn’t been in his sand bath properly and his fur was so greasy almost needed to call him Snape. worried won’t keep our gains. Ideas?

 

[Socks' Mum]

Just keep doing what you are doing

 

[RoboMommy]

Thanks. He’s more active (almost 9 miles last night) and cleaner but still won’t show up in person since our big therapy session.

 

[Socks' Mum]

It's amazing how far they can run

 

[RoboMommy]

We put him in a big enough open bin with with key enrichment for a few days, which reduced his anxiety. Now slowly training him to come for us. Other day did have moment recognition confused no banana because we went to bed and only gets good treats then, so its hopeful. And I’m going to start a new world record category just for hammies - longest distance ran on a wheel per night. Documenting carefully. Humble brag - He’s met and exceeded a smidge a US half marathon two nights in a row.

 

[Maz]

That sounds like a bit of progress. Do you mean that he's now in a bin cage instead of his former cage And it's bigger?

 

[RoboMommy]

He’s transitioned back.

 

[RoboMommy]

But now we’re realizing because he came from a sanctuary and his mom was like a month old when she got pregnant with him in a pet store, he never really learned hammy self care basics. Gave him a nice slate tile to scratch for his nails but no. They are getting so long he accidentally scratched his face a while ago while grooming we think - he has a scab just above his nose. And he has a beautiful gorgeous sand bath he doesn’t use. Wondering if need to bin him again…I know it seems mean but he doesn’t Let us take care of him unless dig him out kicking and screaming at like midnight and my hubby and me need sleep. And might buy a nail clipper and try ourselves but hopefully we can get into the new vet that does weekends soon. Thoughts? Thank you so much for all the support guys.