Rescued a hamster... need help

[sweethamsters]

When I went to work, the first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the elevator in the morning was a cage with a hamster in it, with the note "Free, take him". I thought to myself what kind of a sick person would do that.

When I came back home in the evening I was shocked - the hamster was still there, and no one bothered to take him (in an apartment complex, where hundreds of people reside).

I had no choice, so I took him. But I know nothing about hamsters.

Please help me out here! I am doing some reading on the internet when I have time, but I can't find the answers to all my questions.

First of all, I found a food list for him at http://www.mike-duquette.org/Hamster_Pages/food_list.htm. Any disagreements with what's on that list?

Right now I feed him with cauliflower, brocolli, carrots and potatoes (all raw).

I also put toilet paper in his cage because from what I understand, they like to have a "blanket" over them (cuddle up?). My concern is that sometimes he swallows the paper and then spits it out. Should I stop giving it to him, and put something else instead?

I am also concerned about him chewing his cage. I read online that chewing the cage can cause brain damage. Any truth to that? How do I stop him?

I also have two cats at home, and I let him run around the house from time to time (guarded by me of course). Could he get any problems from all the cats hair that is around? After all, he has such a small nose.

I am going to post a picture of him so that someone can at least tell me what breed he is, because I don't have the slightest clue. In the main time is there anything else I should know?

[Leahv1]

First, thank you for taking it in.
How big is his cage? What type of bedding? For bedding you will want to use aspen, avoid pine and cedar bedding, they are pretty bad beddings to use.
The tisue thing, don't worry about that, they have cheek pouches, and they can stuff them pretty big.
You will want to go to a petstore and get hamster food. Its the best for them, not as best as homemade, but i only suggest that when you have alot of hamsters, or other small animals.
With chewing the cage, it could be because hes bored, or the cage is to small. If it continues, then you will want to move him into a tank, or a bin cage.

As for the type, is he big? Does he fit in the palm of your hands with room to spare? Or does he take up your hole hand?
If he is bigger then your hand then he is a Syrian, which is like teady bear, black bears, all the big hamsters.
If he is small then he is a dwarf.
Any more questions just ask. Good luck with him.
Leah

[katymouse]

I have to say thank you for rescuing the hammy. I hate it when people do that. I rescued Sweet Pea from the PetCo whaen she was taken back and lft on a counter for a month. Feed Hammy Veggies sparingly. It can cause diarreah. I preferr to feed speshal Hamster diet. Take him out occaisonally to reduce boredom a little.

I know noting about cat hair and hamsters, since my place doesn't have cats. And take him to the vet for a check up. I don't trust whoever left him. They need to go to a Psychiatrist and fast.

[Jiffykat]

I don't think the cat fur will hurt him. My cat has actually "played" with my hammies. (Actually they more played on her and then she freaked out and ran away when she actually looked to see what was on her back.) I would definately get him hamster food. Veggies can make him sick as previously said on here.

Also, thank you for being a nice person and taking him in. I am such a nut about rescuing animals, I would have done the same thing, except I would have ended up late to work because I would have grabbed him and brought him straight to my apartment. Good thing I work for my brother-in-law and sister, they (and all my co-workers) know how nuts about animals I am, so I am sure they would have understood. It always amazes me that people can be so stupid (most peoples would say ignorant, but I don't think ignorance is a valid excuse when it comes to treating animals/humans like this) when it comes to things like that, just throwing him out in the hall and hoping (or not even caring as long as they don't have to take care of him) someone will take him in.

[sweethamsters]

First of all, I just realized that the first paragraph in my first post might sound odd. The "sick" person I was talking about was the person that left him there.

Anyway, I am off to Walmart tomorrow, so please help me with the shopping. I am buying a holding tank for him, as well as unflavoured dog biscuit (for his teeth, as I read on the internet).

Should I buy hamster food? I am feeding him vegetables and he seems to like them.

And of course as promised, here he is:

http://yi1.electronicbox.net/images/DSC03808.jpg



http://yi1.electronicbox.net/images/DSC03810.jpg



http://yi1.electronicbox.net/images/DSC03812.jpg


http://yi1.electronicbox.net/images/DSC03819.jpg



http://yi1.electronicbox.net/images/DSC03824.jpg


http://yi1.electronicbox.net/images/DSC03825.jpg



So, what breed is he (or am I wrong? she?) Can you also please tell me what is that black spot on his side in the fourth picture.

[Zouave]

>> I stepped out of the elevator in the morning was a cage with a hamster in it, with the note "Free, take him". I thought to myself what kind of a sick person would do that. <<

That's people for you. :mad:

Thank you for taking him in.

It is a Syrian hamster, a long hair (creme color, maybe). Very nice looking, but personalities are even more important.

All Syrians have black hip spots on their sides for tunnel scent marking.

I wish my floors were as clean as yours!

>>
I also have two cats at home, and I let him run around the house from time to time (guarded by me of course). Could he get any problems from all the cats hair that is around? <<

BE VERY CAREFUL!! I would keep the hamster in a cage in a room where the cats never go. Hamsters WILL escape at some point - and you will never forgive yourself if they kill him, nor should you be. This is the only time I'd accept having a rodent in the same house as cats - a needed rescue. Remember, THEY WILL ESCAPE AT SOME TIME! Keep the cats in another room. Let the hamster out sometimes only with you there all the time and the door closed, that cats on the other side.

What else to say? Read old threads on this forum for ideas and information. You can find many hamster care sites online with a Search, such as
THIS ONE (http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/hamster_care.htm)

[Zouave]

Let me add the sweetest hamster I ever had, Princess, was abandoned in a pet store AFTER TWO YEARS in a cage. I adopted her, gave her vet care, and had her for six month before she died in my hand of a stroke. It was terrible.

I once got a guinea pig who was found abandoned in a city park.

I can give many other examples of why people stink - except animal people, like you.

Remember, keep the cats away from the hamster. Cats are genetically programmed to kill them, and they can do it in a split second without warning even if they don't seem interested.

[sweethamsters]

He is in my room on top of my student desk, out of reach of the cats. And considering I have a very expensive computer, the cats are not allowed in it at any time. The door is closed at ALL TIMES. So no worries.

In the main time what do I need to get for him? As I mentioned I am getting the plastic container, and some dog biscuits for him. What should I get for bedding? For now I am using toilet paper, which he doesn't seem to mind.

P.S. Here are my two cats

http://yi1.electronicbox.net/images/DSC03786.jpg http://yi1.electronicbox.net/images/DSC03788.jpg

[Jiffykat]

Brother or sisters I am assuming? They are adorable. They have that look of "fine, I'll sit still for a picture if you are making me, but don't expect me to look happy!"

I would get him a glass tank. I have two syrians (one I only got less than a week ago) but neither of them have escaped for their tanks (the other one I have had since around february.) If they are in a glass tank I don't think you should have to worry about them escaping, as they can't just climb the glass to the top, and even with a house to climb on top of, they can't reach the tops of their tanks. DO get a lid for the tank too though. Most of the escapes that I have read about on her, have been due to the hammies chewing out of plastic cages, or owners not shutting cages doors, or not having the cage put all the way together.

[Michele4Mouse]

sweethamsters, that is such a cute hammie I'm glad that you took him in. I rescued my hammie Skittles from the humane society. The shelter said he was a stray. I took photos of Skittles last night when I had him out to play. Here is my cute long hair hammie, he is trying to find a spot to hide his treat.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/MicheleMouse/Hamster%20photos/Hammie_and_treat3.jpg

This is his bin cage that I let him run around in for play time, its about 130 qts.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/MicheleMouse/Hamster%20photos/Hammie_and_playpen.jpg

[yodelinghamster]

Cute!!! good luck with him!! That is awesome that you rescued him!! Nice cats too! What have you named him?

[sweethamsters]

Michele4Mouse, are those unflavoured dog cookies? Do they chew on them for their dental needs? Or eat them as treats?

How do I know if those treats are flavoured or unflavoured? I saw a bunch of them in a mall, but none of the them were labelled as "unflavoured".

[Jiffykat]

I got the milkbone ones with five flavors. I got a huge box because I have many gerbils and hammies. The joke is on me though, none of my gerbils realy like them, they will occasionally gnaw on a green vegetable flavored one. Other wise both of my syrians just kind of carry them around their tanks, and only one of my three dwarves likes them to the point of actually eating them. (Get a small box to make sure you animals like them before you jump into a big box they won't eat.)

[PetLuver21257]

Before you go to walmart, you should buy him a bagged hamster food. I use Fiesta hamster food:
http://www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/4319.jpg

Also can you get a picture of his cage for us. If you do, I can tell you what else he needs.

Good Luck and thank you for taking him! He's a sweetie pie! :o

[Michele4Mouse]

That is a milk dog bone Skittles has, they come in a variety of colors/flavors. Those treats are good for their teeth and its a nice treat too. Skittles piles all of his treats in a corner of the cage. The other day I noticed pieces of the milk bone in his treat pile. I'm not sure how much was eaten. When his treat pile gets too big, I'll go through it and throw out some or put it back into his food dish. Skittles feels the need to completly empty his food dish everytime I fill it. He will then take that food over to his treat pile. Silly boy.... :)

[katymouse]

About food, you must buy Speshal Hamster diet. xP

Buy bins, not Wire/plastic Cages. Plastic can be small (for me) and certan Wire cages have side doors which slide in and out, making it prone for the hamsterto push, open, and OFF WE GOOOOOOOooooooo.......!!!!!!!!!!

XD so yeah, you get the point. oh, and the little hammie is so cute!! -shnugs-

O_o I don't feed my hammie bones. I may put that in mind later..

[sweethamsters]

Cool. So it appears that the treats don't have to be unflavoured. I'll get different flavours for him then.

I'll post some pictures of his tank that I got for him when I get a chance.

Also, I can't really find any aspen bedding for him. Why is Oak or Pine not good for him?

[Jiffykat]

What is with people randomly putting uneccesary letter combos in places? (ie. xp, xd & o_o)

I have never heard of oak bedding, so I don't know if it is allergenic or toxic to them. You could try it and see how he reacts. However, Cedar and Pine, are bad for them. I'm not sure exactly why, but it has something to do with the way it is processed and made into bedding. If you can't find Aspen, try looking for corn cob bedding, care fresh, or good mews, or yesterdays news. The last two are actually kitty litter that is made out of recycled paper. I am currently using Yesterday's news.

[yodelinghamster]

they are little faces, I think.... >.<

[Jiffykat]

But they just show up as letters, that is dumb.

[yodelinghamster]

they are not suposed to look like petshub faces. they are suposed to be letters, I guess it is kinda dumb but hey, let them make dumb faces if they want to...

[Jiffykat]

I guess, but they are annoying.

[yodelinghamster]

Yeah, petshub face are MUCH cuter, they actully make sense!

[Jiffykat]

And they are actually faces and not just annoying random letters in the middle of a post.