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Post by stevefulcher on Nov 8, 2013 22:01:09 GMT
My girlfriend has a six month old hamster and we have recently (two days ago) adopted a ten year old cat from the RSPCA.
The hamster, Harry, is in a large cage on top of a chest of drawers in our bedroom. The cat, Tazzy, is not allowed in there, and I have no plans to change this.
Harry has been acting strangely towards us and not coming out of his nest much. When he does, he seems agitated.
My suspicion is that he can detect the scent of Tazzy and this is worrying him. We are careful to wash our hands after handling either before going near the other.
My main query is whether or not little Harrys apprehension will pass, and what we can do to make things easier for him.
My mum has kept hamsters and an adult cat in the same house successfully without incident, even allowing them in the same room, although always separated. This led me to believe there should not be a problem.
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Post by tonib on Nov 8, 2013 23:31:43 GMT
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry I can't help as I've no experience of hamster, just cats &,long time ago, dogs. Hopefully someone else will be able to give you some advice/reassurance.
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Post by SarahHound on Nov 9, 2013 13:37:43 GMT
I've had hamsters and cats for 12 years now. Honestly, it depends on the hamster. Most of mine have been petrfectly happy when they get used to the cat, but one of my current two, Harriet the Roborovski, is still terrified of the cats and she's been living with them for a year. However most will be fine, so if that is what is bothering your hammy them quite likely it will all work out fine. All you can do really is make sure the cat doesn't get in the room to frighten him as this will likely set him back. Just time is needed.
However, I'm surprised that he is upset with the cat not even being in the room. Could there be something underlying him that is upsetting him? What temperature is the room? Now is about the time hamsters will start going into hibernation if their environment is cold enough, so its something to watch out for.
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Post by stevefulcher on Nov 10, 2013 8:49:32 GMT
He has always been a little shy and reluctant to be handled, but was never this cautious in his own cage, certainly not since we bought him a very large one.
He has been venturing out a little at night as the piece of cucumber I placed for him last night was half eaten this morning.
I am reluctant to remove him from his nest or cage against his will, although if he comes out then he seems relatively happy to run round on the bed or bedroom floor in the manner he always has, and I have been concious of the need to wash hands before going near him.
Could it be that we just need to leave him alone for a while to acclimatise?
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Post by SarahHound on Nov 10, 2013 10:32:54 GMT
Yes, just give him a bit of time to get used to a new smell in his house, he'll soon come out, I'm sure Run your hands in his bedding before touching him so you don't smell of cat.
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Post by stevefulcher on Nov 10, 2013 23:41:12 GMT
I have managed to coax Harry out for a run in his ball in the bedroom tonight, but he does not seem to have ventured far from his nest for a couple of days as his solid toilet waste is right by the door.
I am also concerned he is "wetting the bed". I am removing any wet bedding material, but am being cautious not to replace his entire nest. Is this the right thing to do?
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Post by SarahHound on Nov 11, 2013 18:22:02 GMT
That's fine a lot of hamsters do actually use their bed as a toilet, sounds gross, but its very common.
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