how long to i wait till we play?

[KiTTyStiches]

i just got a new hamster yesterday, Keebler, and i read that for atleast 24 hours to leave him alone to get used to his cage. wel how long should i wait before i get him out and play with him? cuzi really wanna play with him! but i dont wanna freak him out... any one know?

[J mouse]

A minimum of 3 days, and remember to be gentle while playing.

[flowerpage]

Is keebler a syrian or a dwarf? The rule is usually about 48 hours. :) Hang in there! You don't want him to get wet tail and get sick!

[HammysRme]

i play with them usually the same day, hehe, i just cant help it lol... but only for like 5min. though..but i hear two to three days.

[LilSnooPydOG]

Yeah I broke that rule with all my hammies... :o I always gave them at least 6 hours, once they looked pretty okay with the surroundings (eating, drinking, playing, etc.) I would take them out. They would just fall asleep on me lol...and I've never had to deal with wet tail. ;)

But I'd say if it's been 24 hours and they look pretty comfortable with everything...start petting them in the cage and feed them treats. By 48 hours, I'd say it should be fine to start handling them a little bit. :)

[KiTTyStiches]

he's not a dwarf i know that, hes just gray and long hair i dont know what the type is. um well i gave him the 24 hours but i couldnt wait!! i wanted to take pics of him so i took him out and he didnt like it to much he was spazzin out... so im just going to let his cage sit by my bed so we can look at eachother for a day or so and try not to touch him and just give him treats and spoil him so he'll like me :D noooo i dont want him to get wet tail smudgie just died of that 2 days ago!!

[Zouave]

>> smudgie just died of that 2 days ago!! <<

I sincerely hope you thoroughly cleaned, and DISINFECTED everything with bleach, because Wet Tail is highly contagious!

When to play with a ham? Depends on their personality a lot. Just be sure you don't startle him or force him to wake up.

[Jiffykat]

I held Snowbell like 20 minutes after I get her. I didn't really play with her though, she just kind of crawled from hand to hand a few times before I put her in her tank.

[KiTTyStiches]

yeah i cleaned and disinfected the cage first cuz i know its contagious. he doesnt really want me to play with him but hes so active so i just get him out and put him in his run ball