My hamster has escaped, any suggestions on catching him? He seems to have made a nest under kitchen cupboards?

Question

He sneaks out at night and steals food and bedding. he is a very clever hamster no matter how hard we tried to stop him escaping he found other ways.

Answer 1

trick that never failed me in my nans pet shop she had since I was young was clear anything they could get to as a food source get a bucket put food in the bottom and put the bucket near something the hamster can climb up onto and into the bucket from -they get in but can't get out or next time get a rat you can call them and they come back a hamster will spend its live running from you..... to stop it escaping you need a better cage

Answer 2

O this is a good fun question. You can spend hours having fun trying to catch your little hamster. Although they are nice in some ways they need to be treated in roughly the same way as mice. They are not too clever so if you put out a lump of food (this suggests cheese but it could be anything) they are likely to come out and sneak it off with them.

Sometimes they will comeback when they see their cage- it is probably something to do with their memories and remembering home as "home sweet home"

Anyhow once you catch him (whenever that happens) you can sit back and watch "The Mouse Hunt" and be thankful that at least it wasn't as bad for you as it is for those two guys!

Answer 3

I too have lost small animals like mice. The best thing to do is( if you can) remove the bottom of the cupboard then you can see him. If that doesn't work is also recommend a humane trap that can be found at places like Tractor Supply co. They are awesome and work so well. It does not hurt the animal. All you have to do is put a treat on the inside and wait. Good luck! ;)

Best Wishes,
CC

Answer 4

I would recommend Cadbury's Chocolate Buttons. Works everytime. If its a small hamster get a humane (won't kill the hamster) trap and put the choccy button in the trap. If its a biggish hamster leave the cage open and easily accessible to your hamster and put a few choccy buttons in....and wait.
Give hammy 10mins tops before he/she gives in!!
Buy a new cage with a lockable door after all hes not superhammy someone must be letting him out.

Answer 5

We have done this many times! We put chopped carrots on a paper plate and then sit quietly in the room with the lights off until he comes out. It could take hours, so plan to entertain yourself somehow quietly. Grab him when he comes out.

For the future, get a wire cage. Hamsters are too smart for the plastic ones!

Answer 6

That happened with my hamster... I cought him by setting out food. A way to keep him from not escaping is going to a local pet store and asking a sales person for the safest cage

Answer 7

the food trail up to a bucket has worked every time for me.

an no matter what cage you get if the mouse/hamster wants out it'll get out.

I had one in a chew proof cage which was bought especially and guess what it chewed out and escaped. found it in the loo roll making a nest.

Answer 8

put a bucket tilted partly on its side but not quite. Place food and bedding in the bottom and a ramp up to the rim. The hamster will drop into it and not be able to climb out again. Otherwise remove the kick boards from the bottom of the cupboards and simply fetch him out.

Answer 9

I think the food trap is the most effective solution. Also, not only do you need a stronger cage to hold him, perhaps you can purchase one of those cool plastic balls for him to roll around in during the day. That way, he can roam about freely and you guys don't have to worry about him hiding or stealing food.

Answer 10

My daughter had a hamster, we called him Houdini. He kept escaping. We found if we could get dandelion leaves and leave a trail where we thought he was, he eventually came out. Then the chase began.GOOD LUCK