catching a hamster

Question
My daughter's hamster got out we know where it is but it won't come out I have set up a bucket trap but it has horded food already will it come out and investigate the new food or will it wait until all of its horded food is gone it is under the cabinet in our kitchen I live n an apartment so there is no telling how much stuff is under there

Answer
Hi Brandie

I'm sorry to hear that your daughter's hamster has escaped.  It can be quite difficult to catch them, but the important thing is not to give up on them.  I have known of hamsters turning up weeks or even months later so don't give up and don't block up any potential holes where they could be.

It is also worth noting that hamsters can get through tiny spaces, and therefore she may not be in the area you think she is in, unless you've heard her.  Hamsters can also climb so it is worth checking everywhere.

I'm assuming this is a Syrian hamster??  If this is a dwarf hamster then you can use the humane mouse traps that catch them alive.  It is best to get a couple and put them along the edge of the room and put in her favourite food.  If this is a Syrian, then catching her is a bit more difficult.

If you think she is somewhere under the kitchen cabinet, or under any other cabinet for that matter I would be tempted to get a long stick and gently run it under the cabinet if you can.  Then wait quietly and see if you have disturbed her.  Often hamsters will give themselves away once disturbed if you listen carefully you can hear them moving around.

Regarding food - you don't want to leave too much out as she will just hoard it and not need to come out again for a long time.  The best thing is to count out what food you are leaving for her - such as put 6 sunflower seeds in certain places, then the next morning check each area to see if any have disappeared or been moved.  This will give you an idea of whereabouts she is.

Also, leave her cage in the middle of the room (without any food) but leave the door to it open as I have heard of some hamsters to make their way back to their cage on their own.  You might find that she heads into her cage and removes some of the bedding - although that isn't the result you want, at least you know she must be closeby.

It really is a case of firstly, identifying which room she is in, and secondly seeing if you can either force her to come out, or tempt her out.  I'm afraid there is no easy way of catching her, but hopefully you will find her in due course.

Good luck with this.

Regards
Sheila