If your hamster decides he needs a little more freedom, stay calm and follow these simple tips. We hope that, with a little patience, the little rodent will return to being happy and healthy as ever. Stay alert!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Looking for the Hamster
Step 1. Stay calm
You will almost certainly find your hamster again. Many people manage to recover it after a few hours, others take a few days, and some find it even weeks later. Do not lose hope.
Remember that sudden movements and loud noises can scare the pet even if it is far away, so ask all family members to remain calm, peaceful and away from the area
Step 2. Close the doors
Block out areas where the hamster can hide. Close the doors of the rooms when you realize that the hamster is gone. Cover any cracks in the wall or floor and make sure all windows are closed. You should try to trap the hamster in a smaller area to make it easier to catch. Also, you must prevent the hamster from moving from the rooms where you are looking for it.
- Lower the toilet lid to make sure the hamster doesn't drown in it by falling into it.
- Tell all family members to be careful when walking now that the little rodent is gone.
Step 3. Keep other pets away
As soon as you realize that the hamster is not in its cage, you need to get any other pets out of the rooms, such as dogs, cats and ferrets. If possible, put them outside, in closed rooms or in their cages.
Remove any traps and rat poison or other harmful substances in the house that the hamster may come into contact with
Step 4. Look for your little rodent
Look for it in the various rooms. These animals love warm, dark environments, so you are more likely to encounter them in places that have not been exposed to light for a while. Look for it near pipes, near radiators, behind bathroom fixtures or furniture. You may also find it in cabinets, drawers, behind or under the fridge, behind the washing machine, or under the beds. Grab a flashlight and check the closets.
- Evaluate where he usually likes to spend his time. Where do you think she would like to go? Try to imagine what his behavior might be.
- Check if you notice any traces of its droppings or if it has left seeds along its path.
Step 5. Put some food
One way to figure out which room he might be hiding in is to leave a small pile of his favorite food in each room before going to bed. Place some food around the perimeter of the room, where the hamster is most likely to walk, then close all the doors. Your pet is most likely in the room where the next morning you will notice that the food has been eaten; in this way you are able to narrow the search field.
Step 6. Close the room carefully, once you have identified the one in which the pet is located
If you can figure out which room the hamster is in, block the perimeter. This means getting all family members out of the room and closing the door to reduce the risk of the lost rodent being accidentally injured. At this point, get on all fours on the floor and start crawling. Check all possible hiding places, keep silent and check the escape routes.
Part 2 of 4: Capturing the Hamster
Step 1. Leave the cage on the floor
Place your little rodent's cage on the floor; put some food and water inside, leave the door open and put it near the area where you think your furry friend may be hiding. Hamsters may also decide to go somewhere safe that gives off familiar smells.
If you have a solid-walled cage (not with bars), you can lay it on its side
Step 2. Put the wheel in view
Another way to try and catch the hamster is to put its wheel in some room. When you hear the squeak during the night, understand which room the rodent is in. This way you may also surprise it and be able to recover it.
Step 3. Surround its seeds with flour
When you put her treats for the night, surround them with a ring of flour. When the hamster approaches and takes these delicacies to his hiding place, the paws will leave a trail of flour on the path and you will be able to understand where he has taken refuge.
Step 4. Try installing a non-lethal mousetrap
This, too, could be a way to catch the hamster without harming him. Place it somewhere suspicious in the evening, taking care to check it as soon as you wake up in the morning.
Step 5. Listen
Turn off all lights and electronics. Stand still in the dark room and pay attention if you hear typical hamster noises. You may have to wait a while but, if it is present, you will eventually feel it moving.
You can try tying a bell to a string that you can put a carrot stick on. When the hamster eats the carrot, the bell will move
Step 6. Throw a light sheet over the hamster
When you finally manage to find it, you need to get it. Throw a light towel over the small rodent's body to wrap it completely. In doing so, the hamster stops and stays in place while you grab it securely. Take it gently and put it back in its cage.
Step 7. Lure the hamster into a tube
If you know where it is, you can try to induce it to enter a tube with a closed end. Place the tube near the pet hiding place and put the food inside. When the hamster is inside, cover the opening and gently lift the tube. At this point you can put the hamster back in its cage.
Part 3 of 4: Set up a Bucket Trap
Step 1. Choose a bucket
Get a small, clean one; it must be deep enough to prevent the hamster from coming out, but not too deep, to avoid injury. The ideal depth should be around 25cm.
- If you are concerned that the hamster might try to get out of the bucket, try spreading some butter along the sides.
- Place a towel or shavings on the bottom to cushion the impact when the hamster falls inside.
Step 2. Put some food in the bucket
You have to find a way to attract the rodent! To do this, put fragrant food inside, such as peanut butter or apples. Optionally, you can also add a gnaw block or toilet paper roll inside the bucket.
Also put some water or lettuce, in case the hamster is thirsty
Step 3. Prepare the ramp for the hamster
Stack some books, CD or DVD cases that can act as steps to climb to the top of the bucket. You can also make stairs with Legos, use pipes from the rodent's cage, or build a ramp with a piece of wood. Whatever you decide to use, its purpose is to get the hamster up to the edge of the bucket.
Step 4. Put a piece of paper on top
Cover the top of the container with tissue paper, in this way the hamster will climb onto it and fall into the bucket.
Step 5. Lure your little friend into the bucket
Leave a trail of sweets or special food for him to take to the bucket, also put some on the stairs and inside the container. Place them all along the steps to the top of the bucket, then create a small pile of sweets on the paper.
Don't put too much food on the steps, or they'll feel full before they even reach the top edge and won't investigate further
Step 6. Set this type of trap in each room
If you haven't been able to reduce your search field to just one room, you need to put a bucket set up like this in each room.
Step 7. Alternatively, use a trash can
Similar to the bucket method, in this case use wax paper and the basket or dustbin. Cover the basket with wax paper or aluminum foil but don't pin it, just place it on top. Place a measuring tape or ruler against the basket so that the hamster can walk over it and reach the paper on the surface of the basket.
- Prepare a trail of sweets or food along the way and also put some on the paper or aluminum foil.
- Make sure the basket is shallow: the hamster must not fall from a height of more than 25 cm.
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Future Leaks
Step 1. Make his cage safer
Check how it was possible for the hamster to get out of the cage: check if there are any loose elements, which are not working properly and which have allowed the escape and if necessary repair these faults immediately.
If the animal often runs away, close the cage with a metal padlock from the outside. A plastic lock could be dangerous and useless, as the hamster would chew on it
Step 2. Check for holes
Take a good look at the cage to evaluate any openings or holes in the bottom or walls. He may have gnawed at parts that you can't notice.
Step 3. Lock the door
Reinforce this element with paper clips. You can also use duct tape to secure it.
Step 4. Eliminate any sources of frustration or fear
If your pet is exposed to loud noises, or the constant passing of people and animals, then he may hate the place where you put his cage. Move it to a quieter, less crowded room.
Step 5. Make sure the hamster is comfortable
If he has a tendency to run away, it could be a sign that he is unhappy and wants to leave. When you get him back, see if he seems sad and consider buying him new toys or changing his food. Maybe he just needs more attention - spend more time with him.
Advice
- Avoid cardboard boxes because hamsters have the fantastic ability to gnaw on them.
- Never lose hope if you don't find the hamster.
- Don't make loud noises that might scare him.
- When the house is quiet, place one ear on the ground in each room and try to listen for any noises the hamster makes. You might understand where it is, if it is gnawing on something.
- Also look among the scarves and napkins, the hamster may seek shelter to stay warm.
- When you know he's in the same room as you, put something in front of the door to block his escape routes. Hamsters are small enough to squeeze under door slots.
Warnings
- If, when you find it, the hamster moves of its own volition, give it a container (or its ball) to climb and put it back in the cage. Don't cuddle him - if he got hurt, you could accidentally make it worse. Put the ball in the cage and let the little rodent enter it of its own free will.
- Should your hamster fall or jump from great heights, do not attempt to pick it up. If he isn't moving, but he's breathing, slide a sheet of paper under his body and place him in the cage. Call your vet or go to their clinic if you're worried.
- Remember that the hamster could get injured if it fell from a height of more than 25 cm; is a delicate animal with fragile bones.
