A really abused dwarf hamster, trembles in the cage?

Question

i got this russian dwarf hamster, and the little boy who owned it before abused it, i never really thought about it today, but today, he saw the boy, and he hasnt been the same since, i was there the whole time, he didnt even touch him, just sniffed his finger, and froze, no movements at all, and sinde then, he bit me, and shakes violently when hes in my hand, when i lifted him to put him back home, he even bit me, he has a cage mate, and they dont fight, the other one has been removed, leaving just him, i mean hes terrified of people now, i think that that kid abused that hamster to near death! when i pop his cage door open, he jumps off the food tray and burries in beding, and when hes in the wheel, he smells my finger and either stops moving, i mean its hard to tell if hes even breathing, or runs super fast on the wheel, the other is bite the crap out of me. what can i do, i cant believe i let that kid even see him, now he wont even go near me! its a real bad case of hamster abuse.

no, its wayyyyy past that, im talking about playing deat when i pick him up, i mean to me, its irreversable, nothing i do, he will accept.

it also gets worse, i just tried to touch him, but he screamed like i bit him, then he stood up against the cage wall, pushing down and screaming, not only that, but as he ran away, he was screaming too.

Answer 1

First thing, you need to bring his friend back. The only comfort he had is gone now. Whoever the little boys parents are need to be aware of how this child is treating animals. Not only for the safety of animals, but later in life he might become abusive to humans.

In order to gain this dwarf hamster trust now is going to be hard, I once had a dwarf hamster and they're usually a little more mean than Golden's. Leave him alone for accouple day, talk outside its cage so he can get comfortable with the sound of your voice. After accouple days, put some treats in its cage and just let it look at of sniff your hand, if you are scared of being bitten put on a glove, make sure you rub your hands on it so it can get your scent.

I'd say after about a week or 2 of this on a daily basis you might try to pick him up. Don't force him if he doesn't want to! Let him get into your hand, don't take him out of the cage just yet, his cage is his comfort zone. Make it so he can see that he can run back into his personal space. After another week of this, then you can finally take him out of his cage.

If he allows you to do this and he stops all of his shaking, then you might want to remove the gloves. If after all of this he still doesn't trust you, try again. Some times people abuse their animals far beyond repair. :-(

Answer 2

This hamster is really badly traumatized. I'd say to start by not going too close, but not staying away either, and gradually over the next few days, going a little closer as he tolerates it. He got to trust you before, so he will again. Also, you might buy some "Rescue Remedy" at a health food store and put it in his water. Some veterinarians use it for pets who are scared of the vet. It's harmless and impossible to overdose. And I know you won't let that kid near him!
Was it really necessary to remove the cage mate? I would think that the other hamster would distract and comfort him.
I once had a pet rat that had been abused, and in time she became the most affectionate rat I ever had. Good luck with your hamster.

Answer 3

I'd give it a day or so and see if he calms down. I never thought of a hamster being intelligent enough to have such a memory, but based on what you're saying it sounds like he did remember the boy. Unless it was just coincidental that there is something wrong with the hamster and it's coming out today. Maybe he needs another cage mate. It's possible that this hamster was brutally abused and will always fear humans, so I wouldn't count on it being a cuddly pet you hold often because of that. Maybe contact your local pet store and see what they have to say about it.

Answer 4

It makes a extensive distinction. The gaps interior the bars are distinctive in a dwarf hamster cage- they have almost no back bone and that they are able to squeeze out of maximum classic bar gaps, so if it says 'no dwarf', then the cage isn't secure for dwarf hamsters, for in spite of reason.

Answer 5

btdt (?)
well, kind'a
when (and before, actually) i went to pick up my hamster from the shelter, everybody i talked to, from the shelter, on the phone, @ the counter, beside the cage kept telling me that he was biting everybody
EVERYBODY.
most likely because they were brushing him every day and he associated human hand w/ getting brushed.
i never brushed him and he never bit me.

and hamsters have a very good memory;
so, yes, right now, your hammi is very alert and the best you can do is to leave him alone for a couple days until he "forgets" about it.
after that, he'll most likely become his old self, happily playing w/ his mate and coming onto your hand without a blink.

Answer 6

Maybe it was abused, but I think that there is no veterinarian available yet to treat traumatized (psychologically) hamsters. All I can suggest is try to remove your hand from the creature because it's bites might give you rabies. Give it its basic necessities and take it away from places where it can sense danger (such as the kitchen, loud music, table with knives or the bathroom sink). In due time , it will recover.

Answer 7

Give him his space for a few days. Then start giving him treats through the cage. Hopefully he'll eventually walk up and take it. Do that for awhile. Then just slowly start petting him, and eventually pick him up. Probably going to take some time though. Eventually he'll associate you with something good-food.

Answer 8

Wish I could have him. I would cuddle him all up and spoil him.

Keep the brat kid away from him.

Maybe change hi cage . let his friend come back to make him feel safe.

Answer 9

Just gain his trust by trying to hand feed him and talk to him in a low tone voice. Later he will trust you and you will be able to pick him up and pet him.