How Can I Lure In an Escaped Hamster?

Hamsters are popular pets. Children in particular often like to own hamsters, though because of hamsters' tendency to bite, they are not necessarily ideal for small children. Young hamsters, in particular, have a tendency to escape. This can be worrying. Not only is your hamster extremely vulnerable, it can cause havoc in your house by chewing everything in sight, including wires. Aim to get it back as quickly as possible.

Things You'll Need

Bucket
Magazines or books
Food

Instructions

- 1
  Avoid escapes as much as possible by being careful when the hamster is out of the cage, and by always shutting the door. Most hamster escapes happen because somebody forgot to secure the cage door. Note the direction the hamster usually goes when it jumps out of your hands. If it escapes, look there first.
- 2
  Check the room thoroughly, particularly spaces behind furniture. Hamsters prefer to stay in the building rather than go outside, but they can get through a tiny gap and stay away for days. If you have an idea where the hamster might be, set a trap after dark in the area, as hamsters are partly nocturnal. Use a towel to line a bucket that's about 18 inches deep. Build a "staircase" leading up the outside of the bucket, using books or magazines as steps. Put some odorous food, such as apple or scrambled egg, on the steps and in the bucket at night. You might find your hamster in the bucket in the morning.
- 3
  Leave a bowl of food and a bowl of water in the center of each room when you go to bed if your trap did not work. In the morning, see whether any of it has been disturbed. This will help you to narrow the search. Do not look just at ground level for your hamster, as hamsters can climb furniture and curtains.
- 4
  Give your hamster food and water when you get it back, as it might be hungry and dehydrated. Make sure the cage is secure before putting the hamster back in it. Check for loose bars. Hamsters can sometimes open loose clip-style wire doors.