How To Find Your Hamster If It Escapes

Jeannie has been writing online for over 10 years. She covers a wide variety of topics - hobbies, opinions, dating advice, and more!

Missing for eight hours!

Jeannieinabottle

Help! I've Lost My Hamster!

Hamsters are very pop pets for many reasons. First of all, they are ambrosial. 2nd, they are perfect for someone who can't have a dog or true cat. Thirdly, they are very reasonably priced. And, well, number iv is that they are quite clever.

Unfortunately, what goes forth with being clever is that hamsters are excellent escape artists. Just when you think you lot are set to go to bed for the dark, you lot discover that your hamster has figured out how to get out of the cage, and you now have a missing hamster on your hands.

How Hamsters Escape

Hamsters manage to escape from their cages all the time. Some hamsters are more probable to endeavor escaping than others, though. It just depends on your pet'south personality.

In some instances, you might take a hamster that is smart enough to learn how to open the door to her cage. In other cases, you might have a hamster that has been gnawing her way through office of the cage and is basically breaking out of her little prison house. Nevertheless, there are many instances when the pet possessor simply forgets to shut the cage door. Also, you could have a cage that is just not secure enough. Hamsters can often chew open a cage attachment if given the chance.

This type of attachment sometimes becomes detached.

Jeannieinabottle

Try Not to Panic

No matter what the reason, when you have a missing hamster, you might panic. Honestly, that is not going to exercise any good at all. If you lot happen to see an empty cage, don't get upset yet. Sometimes, the hamster has just escaped and you can find her immediately. You can often observe a hamster lingering in an area close to the cage. If not, y'all are going to have to comport a search for the missing hamster.

Hamsters are very curious.

Jeannieinabottle

Now is the time to commencement thinking like a hamster. Hamsters like to curl up in small spaces. They also like to hibernate under things. Some ideal hiding spots for your hamster are:

Shoes. If any shoes are left out, they beloved to clamber in them.
Closets. Open the closet doors and starting time rummaging through. Utilise a flashlight if necessary.
Kitchen appliances. Look under the stove, the refrigerator, and anything else the hamster could crawl under.
Piece of furniture. Hamsters enjoy hiding under couches, futons, beds, dressers, amusement centers, and then on. Also, check to make sure your hamster did not somehow figure out how to crawl into the cushions or into a pillowcase.
Boxes. If y'all have shoe boxes or other minor boxes your hamster could crawl within, bank check those out.
Blankets. Hamsters enjoy crawling nether blankets. Information technology'south cozy—can you lot arraign them?
Bathrooms. Some hamsters are obsessed with the bath. This is peculiarly the example if y'all have a lot of squeamish-smelling shower gels, perfumes, etc.
Heaters. If you accept a heater a hamster could easily get within, and the heater is non besides hot, there is a gamble your hamster is in there. Use a flashlight for your search and pull the heater apart, if possible.
Basements. You might find it dark and creepy, but a hamster doesn't mind the dark. If you have a basement, you should check information technology out.

What to Do When You Tin't Find Your Hamster

If you've pretty much torn your domicile apart looking for your hamster, only you still can't find her, it tin be very frustrating. Information technology is withal not a proficient idea to panic, only if you take an outburst of tears, don't experience so bad. It happens sometimes. Even if you lot haven't plant her, chances are, she is yet somewhere close by. Some hamsters will make a lot of noise when they escape, and that helps a lot. Other hamsters are so tranquility, you tin hear a pivot drop.

Entice Your Pet to Come Home

At this point, you demand to make it inviting for your hamster to reappear. If yous have other animals, effort putting them in one room you are certain the hamster couldn't be hiding in, or put them in carriers if possible. Next, put the hamster's muzzle on the floor in the area where your hamster'south muzzle unremarkably sits. Open the cage door and put some of the hamster'south favorite snacks correct outside the door. Eventually, your hamster will get hungry, thirsty, or tired. She is likely to get back to what she knows.

Alert Your Family (and Possibly Neighbors)

While y'all expect, it is a practiced idea to alert everyone in your abode about the missing hamster. You don't want anyone to step on your niggling pet by accident. Furthermore, if you live in an flat building and you haven't been able to detect your hamster after a pretty all-encompassing search, yous are going to desire to let your neighbors and perhaps building management know about your missing hamster.

If you lot are allowed to exercise so, make some signs and postal service them. Hamsters are astonishing at finding spaces you never knew existed. Information technology is non likely she will end up in a neighbour's apartment, but yous never know.

She is plotting her escape.

Jeannieinabottle

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Welcome Your Hamster Dwelling

When your hamster does return, remember that she has been through quite an experience, too. Don't simply presume your hamster is going to be prepare to play immediately. Your hamster may be traumatized and not prepare to socialize with anyone. In this case, lock her back up in the cage and requite her some time to adjust. Sometimes, hamsters tin can exist missing for many hours or even days.

Don't Blame Yourself if Your Pet Doesn't Render

If your hamster does non return, I am very sad. Try non to blame yourself considering hamsters are mischievous niggling animals. Sometimes, they are going to go into more problem than they can handle.

. . . And Don't Give upwardly Hope

Too, I've heard stories of hamsters reappearing after long absences. I heard a story once of a hamster that showed upward in someone's sock drawer after being missing for weeks. I've too heard nigh a hamster that was found in a garage months later on escaping. Apparently, he had been living on scraps from trash bags. And so at that place is promise.

Happy hamster hunting, and skillful luck to you!

This article is authentic and true to the best of the writer's knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, handling, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinarian medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should exist seen by a veterinary immediately.

Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on November 11, 2020:

If y'all are hearing her, that is a expert sign. Get out the muzzle on the floor with the door open up. Sit out her favorite food and she is probable to show upward. Good luck!

Jeannie Marie (writer) from Baltimore, Medico on November 11, 2020:

I promise you found your hamster. Leaving food out volition often bring them back. Good luck!

Tyeshia Haslam on September 06, 2020:

I tin't discover my hamster I have just lost her simply I can hear her but she runs away

JadeLeeDynast01 on September 04, 2020:

I accidentally left my hamster muzzle open and now I can't discover him. I'm pretty certain he'southward in my room because the area under my door is pretty minor. I'm worried though because he would accept fallen off of the little demote that his muzzle was on. I'm worried and scared and somewhat freaking out.

Jeannie Marie (writer) from Baltimore, Doc on June 16, 2020:

I would effort leaving food out to see if the hamster will come out. Unfortunately, since it's been a while, information technology'south possible she somehow got outside. You may want to tell your parents. They might endeavour to find the hamster in a place yous didn't remember nearly looking. Good luck!

Luna-Chan on June 15, 2020:

My hamster is missing in the walls and I tin't tell my parents about it the possessor is my sis and we're pretty sure she'south gotten lost forever is there annihilation to practise she's been gone for four days now

Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, Medico on July xxx, 2019:

I hope yous accept found your hamster. Leaving some food out on the flooring and putting the cage on the floor beside the nutrient helps.

Leila Sanchezhe on May 01, 2019:

My hamster is missing and I looked everywhere what practise I do ?

Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, Physician on February 06, 2019:

Yep, httpuhbpagescom! They are quite sneaky like that. I am glad yous found your hamster. Thanks for your comment.

Jeannie Marie (writer) from Baltimore, MD on February 06, 2019:

MyHaMsTeRNaMeIsMiLkTeA, it'due south funny how a hamster can effigy out his or her style home. I am glad your hamster came back! Cheers for sharing.

httpuhbpagescom on January 26, 2019:

My hamster had escaped when I was asleep, when I was looking for her, she wasn't anywhere in my room, then I decided that she was somewhere hiding from me, and so I heard her messing with some wood, idea that she was in her cage, she wasn't, then I checked my drawers, and I found poop pellets in my underwear drawer, and then I realized she was in my drawers, checked my sock drawer and saw something movement, then I realized she was in there! I picked upwardly my hamster ball, put a blueberry treat in, she moved to another drawer, then moved to my underwear drawer, then moved back to my sock drawer then got in, I still don't know how she even got into the drawer in the first identify.

MyHaMsTeRNaMeIsMiLkTeA on January 07, 2019:

My hamster'south cage was left open when i was cleaning the cage, one escaped. We couldn't observe the hamster and nosotros gave upward. 7 hours later its showed upwardly back at the forepart of the cage! Then I guess the hamster knows its home!

Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on September 25, 2018:

Try sitting out food and waiting for your hamster. Usually a hamster that doesn't escape much gets a little confused and takes longer to render. I hope your hamster comes back soon!

Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on September 25, 2018:

I hope you lot establish her. Sometimes they disappear for a while before returning. It sounds like you are doing the best you tin exercise for the situation.

ibeati13 on September 18, 2018:

My baby hamster has gotten away from me,she has been missing for three days.I accept already looked every where in my room where she went missing from,I have left her food dish and cage on the floor,and has locked my two cats out of my room.Any other advice?

Fatihah on September 14, 2018:

My hamster just went missing I usually let my hamsters out for 10 minutes effectually my room and one that unremarkably escape is smallest 1 just now the i that missing is bigger one and I already find around my room but notwithstanding doesn't establish him... I am panicked because my mom hates animal inside house then she told me if she found them then she going to throw them outtt

Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, Md on March 13, 2012:

Yes, I felt similar I was the worst pet owner ever. I could not believe she was lost for and so long. I was and so relieved when she reappeared the next morn! I think she was probably hiding inside the heater. She loves to play near the heater when she is in the hamster ball. I am now going to become her a sturdier cage that she can't break out of every bit hands. :-)

Cheers for reading and thanks for the votes! I ever appreciate it!

Movie Main from United Kingdom on March 13, 2012:

Hi Jeannie, that must accept been a very upsetting night!

Every bit always, I thoroughly enjoyed reading, funny and useful!

How amazing that hamster turned up in a sock drawer! I wonder where yours had been hiding?!

Voting up and best wishes Lesley

Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on March 12, 2012:

WD Curry 111 - Some hamsters accept an amazing ability to escape. I had ane hamster that never stayed in her muzzle. Even so, the hamster I have now never escapes. It was a shock to notice her missing. It was even more of a shock that I never found her. I had to wait for her to render to the cage hours afterwards. I guess some hamsters are great at escaping and some hamsters are dandy at never beingness found. I could take certainly used a little canis familiaris to find this hamster this past weekend.

Thanks for reading and cheers for the comment!

Ruchira - I felt and then drastic when I could non observe my hamster. I can imagine it would be good for a number of people to go on the hamster hunt... particularly in a 3 sleeping room house. Cheers for the votes up!

Ruchira from Usa on March 12, 2012:

hahaha...your hub is so true in every sense. My friend's hamster got loose and they went frantic looking for him in their house. She called the states all up to wait in their 3 bedroom house.

It was fun looking all over the identify for him and finally i kid constitute him...lol

voted upwardly and the tips were skillful!

thanks!

WD Curry 111 from Space Declension on March 12, 2012:

I used to raise hamsters. I gave so many away, it is ridiculous. Some hamsters can rearrange their molecules on the other side of their cages. Nothing can continue them in.

I had Boogie, a little mop of a cock-a-poo. She was a built-in hamster hound. She found them every time. They did need a quiet rest after all of her sniffing, crying, and barking. At least they don't fly out the door like a parakeet.

Jeannie Marie (writer) from Baltimore, Doctor on March 11, 2012:

cabmgmnt - I did not realize chinchillas liked to escape so much, besides. I had a hamster that constantly escaped, simply this is the starting time fourth dimension this hamster has ever escaped. And wow, did she ever have it to a whole new level! I can't believe she was missing for about 8 hours... my other hamster would usually come out when I called her proper name. Thank you for the tips on putting down the toilet hat... I would not take thought of that.

cloverleaffarm - I can image a babe and a hamster was not a fun time. At that place tin can't exist a lot of sleep in a household like that. Thanks for the votes!

Healing Herbalist from The Hamlet of Effingham on March 11, 2012:

This was a neat hub. I and then chronicle to this. We had a hamster once, and it got out a couple times. This and having a small baby were not a good philharmonic for sleeping..lol. Voted up, and useful, then someone else doesn't lose a nights sleep!

Corey from Northfield, MA on March eleven, 2012:

Thanks for this hub. It is cute and informative. I have a chinchilla and she has escaped several times on me. I tip I learned from a book is to go along your toilet lids down if a pet like a chinchilla or hamster escape to lessen their take chances of accidental drowning.

Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, Doc on March 11, 2012:

Millionaire Tips - Yes, unfortunately, I barely slept concluding night because I was searching for my hamster. She was missing for almost viii hours. She showed up at her cage at vii AM this morning. I was so happy to encounter her. She is REALLY dingy and jumpy though. I have no idea where she has been, but I am so happy she is back. Mayhap I need to consider using a fish tank, as well.

Marcy Goodfleisch - I tin definitely express mirth at present, but in that location was a lot of crying last night. I've never had a hamster hibernate so well before. I could besides find my other hamster in about an hour. I can't even imagine where this hamster was staying... she was muddy and nervous. I am just so glad she is dorsum! Thanks for the votes up!

Thank you lot both for reading and for the comments!

Marcy Goodfleisch from Planet Earth on March 11, 2012:

Awwww - I don't know whether to laugh or weep - the hub is so cute and funny (and useful), and so I start imagining how worried you would be while looking for her! What a fun read, and I love the tips you added here. Nosotros had pet rats for a few years, and it was ever interesting to search for them when they got out (or, more likely, when the kids left them out while playing with them). Voted up and useful!

Shasta Matova from USA on March 11, 2012:

I exercise hope this hub wasn't written from a recent experience, and that your hamster is safe and happy in its cage. When we had a hamster, we used a fish tank, and it worked out very well. We didn't need to add a cover at all. In that location was plenty of room, but the walls were too slippery for him to climb up.