The hamster escaped from the cage. How to find and catch a pet?

Some hamsters have a very restless disposition. They are restless, energetic and try to escape from their owner at the first convenient opportunity. If the hamster has escaped, you need to urgently start searching for it. After all, invisible dangers may lie in wait for the animal outside the cage. Therefore, every owner should know where a pet can hide and how to catch a hamster.

Why did the hamster run away?

The leaders in terms of escaping are the dwarfs; they are nimble, nimble and inquisitive. Owners of Syrian hamsters are also not immune to escapes, although they occur much less frequently. First of all, we need to figure out why the pet ran away and got lost. This information will help prevent future escapes.

The reasons for the flight of a furry creature may be as follows:

1. Unreliable cage. The hamster cannot escape from the cage if all the bars are intact and the locking mechanism is working properly. But sometimes the little sly ones manage to gnaw a hole in their apartment and escape outside.
2. The instinct of self-preservation. Having sensed a cat or other dangerous animal, the homa instinctively strives to get away.
3. Fear. A small creature may be frightened by a sharp sound (clap, vacuum cleaner, scream, bark, etc.).
4. Curiosity. There are fluffies who love to explore the world. Once in a new place, they want to know more about it.
5. Fatigue. If Homa hasn’t gotten enough sleep, is in a bad mood, and you forcibly pulled him out of his cage to play, then rest assured: he will sneak away at the first opportunity and hide somewhere where he will be left alone.
6. Inattention of the owners. The most common cause of hamster escapes. This is especially true for children, who often forget that rodents cannot be left unattended!

Try to avoid inattention and monitor the condition of the cage.

Possible consequences of this behavior

The metal bars of your home are not a suitable material for grinding down teeth. Thus, the animal can break them and injure the oral cavity. In this case, you will have to show your pet to the veterinarian. In addition, such a grinding noise will constantly disturb the animal’s owners from sleeping at night.

Important! It should be noted that the metal bars of such a dwelling are often coated with paint, which, if it gets into the intestines of a rodent, can cause problems with its health.

Reaction to escape

When a tiny creature escapes, the owners' reaction is often inadequate. Some start running and screaming, scolding the children loudly. Others, on the contrary, let the situation take its course in the hope that the pet will get some exercise and return. This attitude is fraught with the death of the animal: it can get caught by a cat, jump into a closing door or under your feet, and ultimately get stuck somewhere and die of thirst and hunger.

How to behave correctly and what to do if a hamster runs away? First of all, you need to remember Carlson’s advice and remain calm. But you need to start searching immediately. How to find an escaped hamster in a small apartment if he has been living with you for a long time?

Tamed hamsters know their nickname and sometimes respond to it. Call the baby by name and promise him something tasty. You can lightly shake the jar of his dry food: the animal is familiar with this sound and is attracted to it. There is a small chance that Homa will respond to the nickname and return to the warm hands of his owner.

But if the hamster escaped from the cage and does not want to return home, the search may take a long time. Therefore, it is important to know how to catch an escaped hamster and where it may be hiding.

Features of catching a hamster in nature

Catching a hamster at home is not too difficult a task. What to do if the animal runs away into the street?

You can use the traps described above: they do not injure the animals. However, when placing such devices in nature, you risk catching not your pet, but some wild rodent, so be careful that the living creature does not bite you.

If there are burrows of other animals near your home, the hamster probably climbed into one of them. Try to flood them. Fleeing from the water, the hamster will get out into the street, where you will catch it.

Where to look?

You can look for an escaped hamster in an apartment anywhere. Tiny animals can hide in the most inaccessible places. If he escaped before your eyes, you should immediately examine the place where he disappeared. If you don’t find the fluffy one, close the entrance door to the room.

But if there are many rooms in the house, the search task becomes much more complicated. After all, each room will now have to be monitored separately. Most often, fugitives do not leave the room where their cage is located, but there are exceptions. So what to do if the hamster runs away, where to look for your pet?

First of all, inspect the following places:

1. Cabinets and other furniture. The hamster may hide behind or under the backs of dressers and cabinets. If he escaped in the bedroom, first look under the bed.
2. Carpets, rugs. A frightened animal may well crawl under the rug, especially if it does not fit well to the floor. To avoid crushing the crumbs, it is better to remove the rugs.
3. Heat and water supply system. Rodents love warm places, so they are able to hide under the sink or near the radiator.
4. Pantry. If you have a pantry at home, then this is a paradise for a rodent. It's always quiet there and there's something to eat. If the furry friend settled down there, the search will last for weeks.

Basically, if a hamster runs away, it could be anywhere. But one thing is certain: small rodents do not jump very high, so you should look for the animal in the lower part of the premises.

Listen to the rustling sounds

Start your search in the room where the hamster cage is. Perhaps the rodent is hiding nearby: under furniture, in a bag, box, vase, or slippers. Having carefully examined one room, move on to the next. Close the doors to prevent the animal from moving around the apartment, otherwise the search may take a long time.

Turn off the TV, music, ask household members to remain quiet. This will allow you to hear the rustling noise that accompanies the hamster’s movements and track down the fugitive. Try to make less noise yourself, otherwise the frightened pet will hide even more securely.

Look around periodically. At any moment, the hamster may try to run to another place and you will have a chance to catch it, or find out where to look for the fugitive.

Don't despair if you couldn't find your little traveler during the day. Hamsters' activity increases at night: the rodent can get out of the corner in which it has been hiding all day.

Tracking down the fugitive

First of all, let's set priorities: before catching an animal, it must first be detected. Therefore, the question “how to catch an escaped hamster?” replace it with “how to track an animal?”

Methods of tracking a baby can be different. They depend on the size of the room, the number of rooms and the availability of available materials. First, let's figure out how to catch a hamster in an apartment with several rooms. You can determine the location of a rodent in different ways:

• attract food. Treats should be left in the hallway, each room and kitchen overnight, and all doors should be closed tightly. Carry out an audit the next day. Where the grains disappear (or are scattered), there the homa hides;
• listen. The hamster can gnaw grains, squeak quietly or rustle its claws on the linoleum. Hide, turn off the lights and listen. It is advisable to turn off noisy electrical appliances;
• look around. You may notice rodent feces.

When you figure out the room in which your pet is hiding, find out which side of the room he is hiding in. To do this, add the grains again, and rub a thin layer of flour around them. In the morning you will definitely see a chain of tiny footprints leading to the homa’s shelter.

Start searching immediately

Don’t expect that the hamster, after walking, will return to the house on its own, leaving you to lock the door. The search must begin immediately after the loss is discovered.

An escaped rodent faces many dangers:

• you risk accidentally stepping on it, injuring it or crushing it to death
• the animal can be injured by falling from a height, or get stuck in some crevice
• larger pets can hunt an animal running around the apartment

In addition, a hamster can chew wires, damage interior items and cause significant damage to your home.

How to catch a hamster in an apartment?

The easiest way to catch a rodent is to pour out treats and wait for the pet to come to eat. If the trick worked, you need to quietly approach the fluffy and cover it with a light cloth napkin, this will prevent him from going on the run again.

Carefully! You must approach quietly and quietly so as not to scare the animal!

This technique does not always work. Sometimes it takes too long to wait for the hamster, but you have urgent matters. Or the animal may hoard food and ignore treats. What to do in this situation? There are a few other clever tricks you can use if your hamster has escaped from its cage.

The cell is the home

Perhaps your pet already misses his cozy home, but does not dare to go out. Try placing his cage in the center of the room at night with the door open and a ladder along which he can get inside. Hang up a drinking bowl with fresh water in advance and fill the animal’s bowl with its favorite treat.

You can put pieces of food on the steps of the ladder so that the homa will definitely find his way. There is a chance that by morning the pet will return to its native land.

Favorite toy

It is possible to attract a fluffy's attention with attractions. What is hamsters' favorite toy? Of course, the wheel! Set up the attraction in the room where the animal is hiding. If you hear familiar sounds, immediately go to catch the rodent.

Difficulties in searching

Searching for a hamster in a private house or apartment is complicated by the fact that owners can inadvertently injure it with a door or furniture. The baby can climb into a small gap from which he will not be able to get out. Another difficulty is that without finding food and water, the animal may die of hunger. Therefore, leave treats in the rooms to lure the hamster and prevent him from starving to death.

If there are cats, dogs or other pets in the house, they may eat the small pet. The same danger exists on the street, where there are even more predators. Domesticated hamsters are not adapted to survive in the wild. Try to make sure that the fluffy cannot escape.

Traps

It happens that all of the above actions did not lead to the capture of the fugitive. Then you will need a hamster trap that is easy to make with your own hands. The trap will help both lure the hamster out from under the closet and keep him in. Don’t be alarmed, this device is very humane and will not harm your pet.

Trap tube

If the animal is hiding under a closet or bed, you can catch it with a snorkel. The snorkel is most often used to catch a rodent that is not used to being handled. Don't know how to make a hamster trap? Everything is very simple:

1. Take a paper towel roll.
2. At one end attach a fragrant treat.
3. Seal the tube on the bait side.
4. Point the open end towards where the hamster is hiding.

When the homa comes to eat, cover the entrance with your palm and transfer the trap tube into the cage. Lift the sleeve carefully so as not to scare the fluffy one!

Bottle trap

You can catch a small animal using a plastic bottle trap. It is most convenient to make a device from a 2-liter bottle with flat walls (so that the trap does not swing in different directions).

Cut off the bottom on three sides, leaving the fourth intact. Bend it up and secure it in this position with an elastic band. In this trap, the door will not slam shut; air must flow through the entrance. Attach a bridge to the bottom edge of the bottle so that it goes up inside the bottle and bends slightly under the weight of the tiny creature. The center of the bridge should be rubbed with a nut, and the treat itself should be placed inside the bottle.

The hamster, sensing the aroma, will go into the bottle, chew the treat, but will not be able to jump back onto the bridge. This is where you catch the animal!

Bucket trap

Usually, they try to catch rodent pests using a bucket by pouring water into the bottom. We don’t want to cause harm to the funny little animal, so we line the bottom with a thick layer of sawdust or hay so that the hamster doesn’t hurt himself when he falls.

So here are the instructions:

• take a bucket, pour a shockproof layer of bedding inside;
• cover the trap with a sheet of paper;
• place a treat on top.
• attach a “ladder” to the bucket (ruler, ladder made from books, etc.);
• Place a seed on every 2-3 steps.

The fluffy miracle, making its way up the stairs, realizes that there is something tasty at the top. Seeing the bait, the pet will stand on the paper and fall into a bucket on a soft bedding, where it will wait for the owner. The little animal will not be able to get out of the bucket because of the high edges.

Causes caused by incorrect temperature conditions

In order to understand whether the hamster is really sick if he does not move but breathes, it is worth performing a detailed examination

Attention should be drawn to the baby's eyes, breathing rate, and the naturalness of his posture. If your pet is breathing calmly and steadily with his eyes closed, it is most likely that he is just sleeping.

Heatstroke

It is known that individuals of the order of the hamster family, without exception, cannot tolerate heat or direct sunlight. Oddly enough, nature has deprived them of a system of protection against overheating; pets never sweat or breathe through their mouths like dogs. There are known cases where heat stroke resulted in death for animals.

To understand that your baby is overheated when he lies on his side and breathes heavily, you should pay attention to the presence of such signs as:

• no attempt to roll over or make any movements;
• lethargy;
• presence of seizures;
• impaired coordination of movements.

The likelihood of heatstroke occurring when your hamster is motionless and panting increases under the following conditions:

• improper transportation of the baby in personal transport;
• installing the cage on a balcony, window sill, in a place exposed to direct sunlight;
• installing the cage near heating devices;
• with high room humidity and stuffiness.

If you don’t immediately help your pet when he doesn’t move but is breathing, he may not be saved. For this reason, it is worth providing first aid to the animal, which is to:

• cool his body temperature - put the baby on a damp towel, tile, moisten his ears and paws with cool water. Do not rub frozen ice cubes or place them in water;
• inject subcutaneously 2 ml of water that the animal usually drinks to prevent dehydration;
• carry out anti-shock therapy - without waiting for the doctor, this should not be done. But if the ratologist is delayed, and the pet is getting worse, he can be given an injection in the hind leg (intramuscularly) of prednisolone 30 mg/ml with a syringe intended for administering insulin. The dose for a Syrian will be 0.1 ml, and for a Djungarian - 0.5 ml.

"Coma" or hibernation

If the hamster lies without moving, it is possible that the pet has fallen into a kind of coma, that is, into hibernation. His breathing remains calm and even, and his skin will be somewhat cool. In the wild, hibernation of individuals of the hamster order usually occurs in the winter season, when they need to survive cold, hunger, and decreased daylight hours.

The causes of “coma” can be the lack of food for several days in the absence of its strategic reserves, a heating shutdown or a sharp cold snap, which makes the apartment cool. The main signs that the baby is hibernating will be:

• closed eyes while breathing;
• cold but soft to the touch body;
• slow heartbeat (no more than a beat every 15 seconds).

In such cases, it is recommended to place the animal’s cage in a room where the temperature is equal to or above 20°C, and fill its feeder and drinking bowl. Within a few days, if all is well, the animal usually wakes up. If, after emerging from hibernation, he has impaired coordination of movement, which does not go away, he begins to sneeze, cough, or develops diarrhea, as evidenced by a wet tail, you should consult a veterinarian. And since it is undesirable to transport the baby after waking up from hibernation, it is better if he arrives on his own.

Prevention of escapes

If your hamster often runs away, you need to think about the reasons for this phenomenon. To stop the escapes, follow these recommendations:

1. Strengthen the cage. You should patch holes that animals have gnawed and check the reliability of the door. By the way, the door can be kept closed using a clothespin.
2. Create a calm environment for your pet. If there is a stereo system, TV and other noisy devices next to the cage, then the Homa runs away from the house precisely because of them. Move the rodent's house to a place where it cannot be reached by loud noises or other pets.
3. Don't break your daily routine. If you see that the fluffy is not in the mood for communication and wants to sleep, do not force him to play, otherwise he will try to run away.
4. Do not leave the animal alone outside the cage. Follow every step so you don’t have to search and catch later.

These basic tips will help prevent your hamster from escaping and will make his and your life calm and comfortable.

Remember: small rodents rarely escape from a good life. If the hamster runs away, your task is to double your vigilance, quickly catch your pet, check the health of the cage and make sure that the animal lives in peace.

Which cage is the most reliable?

Veterinarians recommend using an aquarium-style cage with a mesh lid. It is more reliable than products made from wire and mesh. The cage should be spacious enough, because hamsters need much more space than we think. These animals are very active. In the wild, they can walk about 5 km per night.

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The hamster's home should be narrow and long. These animals do not like vertical cages.

If you use a cage made of wire or mesh, make sure that its bars are located at a distance of no more than 1.3 cm. This will prevent the animal from escaping. If the bars are damaged or loose, replace them immediately.

Do not use cages made of wood or plastic. Hamsters are rodents with sharp teeth. They can easily chew through such material and get out of the cage.

Why does a hamster chew on its cage?

First of all, this happens because he is a rodent. You can’t fool nature, hamsters’ teeth grow quickly, they need to be ground down using improvised means. Iron rods are ideal for sharpening your teeth. For a rodent this is a natural process.

The second, less common reason why hamsters chew on their cage: boredom, dissatisfaction with living conditions. The hamster really loves drums and wheels that can be spun, if they are not included with the animal’s housing, be sure to pamper your baby with such things. Once he masters them, he will sharpen his teeth on the bars much less often. Lack of physical activity often provokes the development of a bad habit; provide your pet with the opportunity to live life to the fullest and move as much as he wants.

If you have done everything possible, but your pet constantly chews on the bars, it means that he likes this activity or does not like living in a cramped cage

Therefore, even before purchasing an animal, it is important to choose the right cage and equip it. Hamster owners recommend putting a birch twig on the hamster - the baby will like the slight smell of wood

"Help! My hamster has escaped!” - first steps

First of all, don't panic! When you see an empty cage or container, do not shout or fuss. Keep calm and sober mind. This will help catch the hamster easier and faster, as loud noises will scare him away.

As soon as you realize that your hamster has escaped, immediately close the room door to prevent him from leaving the room. This will make the search process easier - it is much easier to search in one room than in the whole house. Inform everyone at home that the door to the room is closed. This is especially important if you have other animals in the house that could harm your hamster, such as dogs or cats.

What to do if your hamster is chewing on its cage

If hamsters under 6 months of age are chewing on the cage and it does not harm them, there is no need to worry. Kids are curious, they are interested in any detail that is inside the cage, including the cage itself. Over time, they will lose interest and stop chewing the bars.

If an adult hamster begins to chew on the cage, you should not disturb him. You need to give him the opportunity to gnaw on the bars, and at this time watch him. Note at what time he starts gnawing on the cage, in what place, whether he has food in the feeder and the presence of solid food.

If you often let the rodent out of the cage to run around the apartment or the play area is located outside the cage, this way it can attract attention so that it can be let out for a walk. If, after observing the hamster, it is impossible to determine the reason for this behavior, you can try the following methods:

If, after observing the hamster, it is impossible to determine the reason for this behavior, you can try the following methods:

Switch the hamster's interest to another item:

Tree branches. Offer the hamster branches of apple, pear, and birch trees. Before feeding the hamster the branches, they must be pre-treated. Clean the bark of dirt and moss, then rinse under hot water to kill all microorganisms. Then the branches need to be scalded with boiling water, cooled and fed to the hamster. You can also purchase ready-made hazel sticks at the pet store.

Solid treat. At the pet store you can find a wide range of treats for rodents. The most common are cereal sticks with honey, which hamsters really like. You can also purchase tartlets with vegetables, grains or nuts.

Mineral stone. The stone is very useful not only for the hamster’s teeth, but also for the body. Contains a large amount of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that a hamster needs to maintain an active lifestyle. The stone needs to be attached to the bars of the cage so that it is convenient for the hamster to chew on it.

Fruits vegetables

It is very important to feed hamsters not only with soft, succulent food, but also with solid vegetables and fruits every day. Hamsters especially love to chew carrots, sweet bell peppers or apples.

Diversify your hamster's leisure time.

You need to install a running wheel, labyrinths, and tunnels in the cage. To prevent the hamster from gnawing at the cage out of boredom at night, it is necessary to maintain its physical activity. Toys for a hamster must be chosen according to its size. If you buy a small running wheel and your hamster is large, he will not be comfortable and will lose interest in it. Playground. Special playgrounds are sold for hamsters, which are installed outside the cage. Playgrounds come in open and closed types. The hamster must be moved from the cage to the area

It is important not to forget and return the hamster back to the resting cage. Ball. Great for keeping your hamster active

The ball can be safely used to move freely around the room.

How to stop a hamster from chewing its cage

If the proposed methods only temporarily distract the hamster, and he continues to chew on the cage, you can try to wean the rodent from this habit.

Aloe or lemon juice. You need to smear the cage bars with aloe or lemon juice. Aloe juice tastes bitter, and lemon is too sour for a rodent

The hamster will try to chew the cage, but the unpleasant taste will discourage him, and he will switch his attention to other entertainment. To stop your hamster from chewing on rods, you should never use chemicals.

They can be harmful to your pet's health. Spray "Anti-gryzin". The spray costs about 200 rubles. It is quite difficult to purchase such a product in a pet store, since it is not in great demand. Home remedies are more often used, they are more natural.