Hello everyone,

I just wanted to write a little bit more about Kiki (originally Harry) our rescue hamster. She's been with us for 4 days now and OMG WE'RE SO IN LOVE!!! Everything is so exciting for us atm. It is like having a new baby in the home. Well she is our new baby. I love offering her new food to see if she likes it and we just love to watch her go about her business! She's fascinating.

Today we bought her a hamster ball and she's in it right now in our huge lounge walking around till her hearts content little Millie following her around. She's not frightened of Millie at all and Millie is being good mostly lol. How long is it ok for her to be in the ball? And how many times a day is recommended?

Her new play area is the bath. It's a deep, long bath and I love watching her running around and though she hasn't got many toys yet she has tubes to climb through and she's loving it. I feel much better with her being in the bath as she cant escape and she gets freedom and fun without having to be in the ball all the time. I'm nervous about having her on the bed cos she's fast and I'm scared she's gonna fall off the bed.

She's a nervous little thing but she's getting used to us and she is so friendly. She actually sat still in the crook of my arm for about 10 seconds just now which is progress cos she's usually trying to get away from us. I don't think she was handled too much before but she's a lovely little thing and she's having lots of love here.

I'd like some tips on exercising her etc. Obviously she is never left unsupervised while in the ball or in the bath but how long is ok to have her in the bath? Also I'd love to offer her treats everytime she comes out to play is that ok? I know that it's not fair to let them get overweight and she's far from it but will this be ok?

I'll be posting pics soon!!

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Bonnie 29.01.97 - 21.09.11
Millie 01.02.01
Seamus 09.07.00
Tyler 08.11.00
Kiki 15.10.10
Chico 01.07.11
Riley & Louie 16.02.11
Holly & Ivy - 11.11.11

Personally I don't leave any of mine any longer than 20 mins at a time, as for the bath she can stay in their as long as you wish so long as she has access to water

As she is new it is best to give treats when she comes to you and as you say when she comes out, as this will help build her trust in you

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Thanks Bernie. I'm just about to give her some bread soaked in milk. Its a staple for pets in our home and always has been for a treat. Our tortoise loves it too ha ha!!

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Bonnie 29.01.97 - 21.09.11
Millie 01.02.01
Seamus 09.07.00
Tyler 08.11.00
Kiki 15.10.10
Chico 01.07.11
Riley & Louie 16.02.11
Holly & Ivy - 11.11.11

Very sorry to butt in on your thread but Bernie i love your banner!!

And Kiki sounds like she is doing well i second with what B has said Looking forward to seeing more pics of her too,

Just checking that isn't cows milk right? I'm sure it isn't but I thought I'd check just in case
Thanks hun, Miss made it for me a couple of years ago now
I can't wait to get my graphics card on my pc sorted so that I get my graphics tab back to make myself some new ones

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Yeah cows milk. Why? My vet recommended it and I've also read it on here and on hamster care websites that say its not only fine but healthy. Is it wrong? confused:

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Bonnie 29.01.97 - 21.09.11
Millie 01.02.01
Seamus 09.07.00
Tyler 08.11.00
Kiki 15.10.10
Chico 01.07.11
Riley & Louie 16.02.11
Holly & Ivy - 11.11.11

Noo, the majority of animals are lactol intolerant so giving them cows milk isn't good for them at all.
Soya milk is ok as is goats milk but cows milk is a huge no no I'm afraid..

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bugger! thanks for letting me know. wonder why my vet recommended it!

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Bonnie 29.01.97 - 21.09.11
Millie 01.02.01
Seamus 09.07.00
Tyler 08.11.00
Kiki 15.10.10
Chico 01.07.11
Riley & Louie 16.02.11
Holly & Ivy - 11.11.11

Some vets just don't think

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yeah but i've ALWAYS done it. as i said its a staple treat in our family with pets. we've done it for years though not to Ty cos he is lactose intolerant and so was my dog Charlie Brown.

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Bonnie 29.01.97 - 21.09.11
Millie 01.02.01
Seamus 09.07.00
Tyler 08.11.00
Kiki 15.10.10
Chico 01.07.11
Riley & Louie 16.02.11
Holly & Ivy - 11.11.11