Babysitting Hamsters

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I'm babysitting 2 of my cousin's hamsters, and one of them seems to be acting really strangely. I dont know how he's treat at home, but if i put my hand near him he rolls half onto his side and tries to push me away with his nose and paws. He's also started rubbing himself along the bars and itching a lot, but he hasnt had any contact with other animals (the other hamster is female so shes in a cage on the other side of the room).
Could it just be the change in handling and maybe the room temperature making him act like this? Other than that hes fine, he eats well and likes to climb around his cage, but i thought it was strange that hes constantly rubbing and itching lately.

Katie

ANSWER: Hi Katie

When a hamster is scared they roll onto their backs - so that they have their claws ready to face their attacker!  He is obviously nervous right now.  One of the ways to get around this is to keep talking to him so that he gets to recognise your voice.  Don't try to put your hand in the cage without warning him first - the best way is to dismantle the cage - if you can do that- then rub some of his bedding onto your hands so that his scent is on you.  Then you can 'scoop' him up with both hands.  Let him walk on your clothing as some hamsters don't like to walk on skin.  I don't know how long you're looking after your cousin's hamsters - but it can take a week or two to tame a hamster.  The main thing is to keep talking to him whenever you see him or walk past the cage - then he should calm down a bit even if you can't handle him.

With regard to the rubbing and itching - sometimes they rub themselves in their surroundings to put their scent down - this is especially true when they have been cleaned out.  Their scent glands are on their sides, towards their rear end.  It could be that he feels unsettled with new smells around him that he needs to make himself feel safe in his cage.  Are there any air fresheners near him, or pot pourri - this can often upset hamsters and should not be in close proximity to them.  What smells good to humans unfortunately doesn't smell good to animals.  Another reason for scratching is more medical - hamsters do get mites and this can cause itching.

My suggestion would be to monitor the situation - check that he is still eating/drinking/playing normally.  So long as he looks ok (i.e. if he isn't sitting hunched up, dull looking and not being alert) and isn't obviously unwell, he should be fine. Also, monitor the amount of scratching - is it just one area?  Is his skin looking sore/red/flaky/bloody?  If any of these, then he ought to be seen by a vet.  

I hope this helps you.  Let me know how you get on.

Regards
Sheila

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again

Talking to the hamster helped a lot, now if i speak when i'm near his cage he climbs up the side of the bars to see me. He seems to be okay now. I've noticed he does sit hunched up a lot, but when he does that he's normally watching in the direction of the other cage (the female hamster has a wheel, so i think he can hear it)
I've taken the air freshener out of the room now and it seems to have settled him down.
I have noticed though that if i have him out and i let him run on my hands, i can feel him breathing, but to me it feels raspy, so i'm not sure what could cause that.

Also, the female hurt herself yesterday, but i'm not sure how. She has a little sore looking mark on her side, and when i noticed it i saw that she had red in her fur, so i think she could have fallen and hurt herself. It doesnt seem to be bothering her though, and i keep checking to make sure its not getting bigger or worse.

Thanks for your help.
Katie

Answer
Hi Katie

Glad to hear you're making progress. If he's interested in the female - another way I calm down male hamsters is to handle the female first to get her scent on my hands and clothing!  Then, I get the male out and they can smell the female on me - and that usually sorts them out!   Keep a close watch on his breathing - he could just be adapting to his new surroundings - providing it doesn't look as though he is struggling for breath or it sounds wheezy it should be fine, otherwise this may need investigating.

With regard to the female's injury - check the area a couple of times a day to make sure there is no pus - if it infects she'll probably need antibiotics, but most times small injuries sort themselves out providing they are kept clean.

Good luck

Regards