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Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Small pets

Escaped hamster - not mine. Help!

27 replies

GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 00:23

Looking after a friends hamster who has escaped. What should I do. .

Have looked every where. They are home tomorrow.

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JollyJinglyJoo · 30/12/2011 00:36

Bummer! Leave the cage door open and some food in the cage, and they may come back. One of mine escaped years ago, and we searched half the night to no avail. Next morning, while eating my toast, I saw a small bump moving along the carpet, and we managed to get her out! All is not yet lost...Let us know how you get on!

jasper · 30/12/2011 00:44

Turn off all music, tv, sounds. Keeps perfectly still. You'll hear it if it's awake

BoattoBolivia · 30/12/2011 00:55

Ours appeared, scratching at a bedroom door, 5 weeks after he disappeard, 2 days ago!!!
Agree with turn lights out now, put out some food and put a torch on and wait patiently.
Good luck.

GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 01:00

Thanks. Will do all of that.

Don't know what to say to dd tomorrow or dd's friend. .

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GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 01:13

Right. Lights off. Food out. Baileys in hand. How long can I wait??

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GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 01:54

Not a murmer. Doesn't look good does it?

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tabulahrasa · 30/12/2011 02:09

Make a hamster trap, get something that it won't be able to get out of - a plastic storage box is about right, stick some food in it and build a ramp so they can get in, but nothing inside but the food so it's trapped

GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 02:09

Going to have to go to bed.

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GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 02:11

Thanks tab. Have done that. Think I will go to bed and pray for a miracle.

I just can't heat a thing but I suppose she could know I am here....

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empirestateofmind · 30/12/2011 03:11

Ours often used to curl up in the box of dolls clothes when he escaped his cage. We used to leave food and water on the floor for him. It could take days to find him if he wasn't in the clothes box though. I would send your friends a message saying he has gone walkabout and you'll be in touch when he reappears.

GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 07:15

Thanks empire. She isn't in the trap I set and none of the food has gone.

Dreading telling dd and dd's friend.

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south345 · 30/12/2011 07:20

Dp's brothers hamster escaped and caused havoc for a couple if months! It ate plants, chewed cables (sorry probably not what you wanted to hear), we found it eventually and he was fine.

Am sure I heard somewhere they are attracted to electricity have you looked behind your tv?

GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 07:35

Oh gawd. She escaped in dh's teaching studio and it's full of cables . will pull the desks out this morning. I honestly listened for her for about an hour last night when it was quiet at 1am and didn't hear a peep.

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GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 07:38

My friend is coming back today. I just sent her a text so she has time to work out how to tell her girls. I honestly feel so dreadful.

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JollyJinglyJoo · 30/12/2011 08:53

Sorry you haven't found her I'm sure your friend won't hold it against you- these things happen frequently with hamsters, and there is still a chance she will reappear. Good luck!

GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 09:05

Thanks jolly. Dd took it amazing well, just feels bad for her friends and is worried about the hamster. I told her she would be having the time of her life so not to worry. Will set up another trap tonight but I can't imagine we are going to find her.

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BellaVita · 30/12/2011 09:14

You will find him.

Ours has escaped out of his ball on numerous occasions. The last time we looked and looked and then could hear a noise. The little monkey had gone into the kitchen and somehow found a little hole just above the fascia board but just underneath the wine rack and had gone inside - so he was basically running around behind the kitchen units.

DS2 left the side of his cage open once and didn't realise. Hammy did though, pushed his way out and came all the way upstairs. We could hear this noise... DH got up and was looking all around the bedroom, he then opened the door and in walked the bloody hamster. He had been scratting at the door to come in.

I would leave a trail of treats out for him.

BellaVita · 30/12/2011 09:15

Sorry I see the hamster is a she.

Snorbs · 30/12/2011 09:25

I used peanut butter on tiny bits of bread stock as a trail up a ramp of books and into a plastic box as a hamster trap. I put some loosely-scrunched kitchen roll in as well for a softer landing plus some cucumber to offer some moisture (dehydration can be a problem). Our hamster was usually in the box within two our three nights, squeaking angrily at being dumb enough to be caught out yet again

GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 09:33

Thanks for encouragement. Will lay more traps tonight. Dd2 (21 months) peering in the cage whispering "hamster sleeping in her house". I wish!

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tabulahrasa · 30/12/2011 10:54

find out if she's got a favourite food - that might help as well

I've never had one not turn up eventually

GColdtimer · 30/12/2011 23:38

Night two of hamster watch. Peanut butter traps laid all over the house. Fingers crossed....

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cornsilxk · 30/12/2011 23:41

aw
our hamster always turns up as well! They are very good at escaping.

Bignorkz · 30/12/2011 23:49

Put food AND water out in every room, close all the connecting doors. Have a look tomorrow to see if any food has gone, it might not be in the room you think it is! Mine used to curl up behind the fridge freezer where it was nice and cozy!!

GColdtimer · 04/01/2012 13:16

She never turned up

Even DD1 (aged 5 going on 25) gently said to me last night "mummy, I think we might have to stop all this putting out peanut butter, cheese and water. I think she is out there (nods towards the backgarden).

Poor Hermione Hamster.

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