got a new hamster

Well everyone one of my friends kids decided he didnt want to care for his hamster anymore so I took him in he just left him to die I guess he would only change his water and give him food every 3 days. But then again he is only 8 I blame my friend his dad for buying him a pet but as of now I have no clue how to take care of a hamster I think its a dwarf syrain hamster when I got his cage it was filthy poop everywhere and the hamster looked freaked out I cleaned out his cage but it grossed me out to no end so I bought him a new cage kit and some food now my question is feeding wise everyday I feed him morning afternoon and night is that too much I change his water every morning and change his bedding every 3 days am I doing things right ??? Any advice anyone

 

Thank you for giving him a home. I found a Netherland Dwarf Bunny just before Easter someone had dumped. He is adorable.
Here is a nice article on their care~

 

We've always had hamsters. One thing about them is their urine has a very strong smell, because of that I don't like the hamster cages with all the plastic tubes. The tubes and hamster's fur smell and it's very hard to get clean. I like just using a 10 gallon aquarium , if you like you can put some plastic tubes in there and then soak them in bleach/solution. If you do go with the special hamster cages just look for one without the plastic tubes and hopefully find one that has high plastic bottom to keep litter in. I just use toilet paper tubes and then throw them away. Don't use cedar litter it's to strong for them. I prefer the pulp type litter.

 

I agree about the cedar litter, it can irritate their nasal passages (though it sure does smell nice). I had hamsters as a kid, but I preferred to use the wire cages so it didn't trap the smell in. Good luck with your new friend! That's great you rescued him.

 

I'm using carefresh bedding is that ok ?? Also he seems like hes always running on his wheel is that normal?

 

I'm using carefresh bedding is that ok ?? Also he seems like hes always running on his wheel is that normal?

Yes, carefresh type bedding is the best for them. And Kinezumi89 is correct that wire cages are the best because it doesn't trap in ammonia .

Hamsters love to run !! ...all night long ..hahaha...perfectly normal

 

today was cleaning day for my hamster so I tried getting him out so he could run around in a ball I bought him but he jumped out and ran around my room took 30 minutes to get him back in the cage I couldn't clean it : / so any advice on how to catch him he runs really fast

 

today was cleaning day for my hamster so I tried getting him out so he could run around in a ball I bought him but he jumped out and ran around my room took 30 minutes to get him back in the cage I couldn't clean it : / so any advice on how to catch him he runs really fast

Does he try to bite ? If so, you can wear pair of gloves. Let him slowly get used to your hand, touching him and feeding his favorite treats by hand. The more he gets used to you the easier it will be to hold him because he won't be afraid and try to jump out of your hand. For now see if he will run in a tube (plasic hamster ones or toilet paper tube ) and then block both ends with your hands and transfer him into the ball.

 

yeah he bites hard lol I'm wearing some leather gloves to try to get him but again he escaped for 30 min I tried putting a tube that came with the cage and he won't go near it he runs towards the door of his cage he won't let my hand near him at all he starts running around and apparently my friend text me and said if I don't hold him at least once a week he will turn wild is this true?

 

It sounds like this little guy might take a bit of work to make him sociable. Start by only hand feeding his favorite food. I've found sunflower seeds are one of their favorites....pick them out of his mixed food and only hand feed. Start by talking to him and feeding through the cage bars. If he won't come to the edge then drop one seed in...eventually he will take a treat through the bars. Then you move to next step offering a seed within the cage. Keep talking to him softly. Don't try to touch him at this point....gain his trust first. Also they love cheese, use the shredded cheese and offer one thread.

For cage cleaning this is what I would do; place kleenex box with shredded kleenex in his cage. Wait till he is asleep inside the box (take out anything else he might want to sleep in) then take the box out (blocking entrance) and place in another container. (I have a plastic travel cage I use when cleaning cages). Wait till he falls back asleep in his box till moving him back into his cage. This way he won't associate your hand with grabbing him.

Also , for this little guy a wire cage would be best because you can interact with him at his level through the bars vs having to reach into a glass aquarium or plastic cage from above. What is his cage like ?

 

Also , for this little guy a wire cage would be best because you can interact with him at his level through the bars vs having to reach into a glass aquarium or plastic cage from above. What is his cage like ?

He has a cage right now he has a place to run around I will post pics today when I get home every time I stick my hand in there he runs away terrifed so I'm gonna try the methods you said thanks

 

pics of his cage : )

 

Nice cage...he's got the bars so you can interact with him there. Does he go into one of the attachments to sleep ?...if so and they are easier to remove...then you can trasfer him in that during cage cleaning.
Can't tell if you used a kleenex box if you could remove it easily

 

Nice cage...he's got the bars so you can interact with him there. Does he go into one of the attachments to sleep ?...if so and they are easier to remove...then you can trasfer him in that during cage cleaning.
Can't tell if you used a kleenex box if you could remove it easily

he goes into the wheel to sleep I'm not sure how to take it off though I got him right now in my hand then I guess he noticed the glove and ran and hid under the carefresh

 

aww..you're making progress !!LOL If you put kleenex box in, is there enough room to take it out easily? or you could leave the cage open and put in in a big plastic bin and when he comes out clean his cage. You have to post a pic of him

 

aww..you're making progress !!LOL If you put kleenex box in, is there enough room to take it out easily? or you could leave the cage open and put in in a big plastic bin and when he comes out clean his cage. You have to post a pic of him

Of course I will upload a pic of him : ) thank you so much for your help : ) I'm gonna try to get him again

 

I just finished cleaning his cage and took some pictures he kept running in his wheel so I didnt wanna freak him out anymore then he already was lol a big hand moving all his stuff around

 

I'm still not able to handle my hamster he runs away terrifed even with his treats in my hand how long will it take for him to not be afraid ?

 

It might take a little while. If he was in the possession of an 8 year old, it's hard to tell what he has been through. Not to say that the kid was mean or anything, but 8 year olds don't always realize what they are doing. The key thing is to have patience and eventually he will come around.

Forgot to add - he is adorable.

 

lol I came home to see my cat playing with my hamster my hamster is fine though I'm keeping a close eye