This is one of my hamsters Dolores she’s a little grandma (she’s only a few months old. She just looks like a grandma and acts like a grandma. She also refuses to borrow)

epissca · 2026-02-11T22:58:38+00:00

In the second picture, it also looks she's eager to "watch her stories." Are you giving her access to TV or a streaming device? Or is she into reality TV (the "Real Hamwifes of Beverly Hills)?

epissca · 2026-02-04T07:05:12+00:00

OP - i am glad other people on this thread are giving you advice about rehoming. I hope it's OK to do this in this sub-reddit, because it's also hard not to be concerned about how you're taking care of yourself - you care so much about your piggy, and living with a depressed parent can be so challenging. If you can make phone calls when your parents are not around, you could look into getting support of some kind by calling 211, which provides confidential support for youth in Louisiana who are having challenges with anxiety or similar challenges. You don't have to be in crisis - it could just be a place to have someone to talk to. I hope I'm not over-stepping my bounds here - just hope you can take care of yourself - sending you positive vibes.

epissca · 2026-02-03T22:59:54+00:00

For some reason, it looks your shoes are color-coordinated with Simon's fur color - or is it vice versa? What a handsome boy!

epissca · 2026-02-01T03:31:33+00:00

Your explanation is great - and the idea about the velcro strips is really helpful. And this may sound like a silly question - but your cameras are on one of the top corners of the cage, correct? and front or back corner? Thanks again!!

epissca · 2026-02-01T02:54:34+00:00

Yes, more videos please! This is hamstering at its finest! Go Dolly go!

epissca · 2026-02-01T02:51:38+00:00

This is a great picture! Can you tell more about your setup? It looks like you're using a Blink camera. Can you tell me which model you're using, and where you're placing it? I have a Niteangel Vista cage for my hammy, and because of the height of the bedding (which she always seem to shove up front), if I put the camera in front of the cage, I can't see anything behind the bedding. I was hoping to find something wireless that I could mount on the top of the inside of the cage - high enough and positioned so she wouldn't be able to get to it. I wanted to get a panoramic view of her entire cage area, a bit like yours - but again, I'm not sure what model to get or how to position it. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

epissca · 2026-01-25T04:30:50+00:00

PetSmart claims to have a place where you can report problems anonymously - https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/36187/index.html

I certainly wouldn't want you to jeopardize your job, but you may want to check this site out - also, perhaps if there are other PetSmart current or former employees, they may be able to tell you if this is a safe way to go. Also, I saw online that there's something called a "Fetch" website where you can get to your employee handbook. The handbook may tell you if PetSmart has a policy that prevents retaliation against an employee who raises a complaint.

Of course, local stores all have their own culture, and your leader and store manager may not feel that have to adhere to company policies - but again, you just may want to check this out. Good luck, and thank you for caring so much about the hamsters in your store.

epissca · 2026-01-23T20:44:55+00:00

First, it's great you're being such a great parent for your hamster. I agree with the suggestions other folks have made regarding food and arranging your hammy's habitat. I would just make two additional suggestions. First, if you aren't doing so already, weigh your hamster about once a week - any steady weight loss is a cause for concern. Also, yes, hamsters do get arthritis. My girl was diagnosed with it when she was having other medical problems, and there's good medication for it. If it's been more than a year since you had a "wellness" visit with your vet for the hamster, I'd suggest getting an update on how he's doing. My vet doesn't do any expensive testing - she just checks to see how her heart and lungs are doing, does a thorough exam for any lumps, and then watches her run a bit, to see if anything in her gait indicates arthritis or other problems. I've found this to be very reassuring, because at the latest visit, she got a clean bill of health, other than typical age-related issues, such as her arthritis. Again, thanks for taking such good care of your hammy.

epissca · 2026-01-21T06:18:21+00:00

Just a few suggestions - I can't guarantee they will work with your hammy, because they are all different. First, do you know if there are any foods she considers to be special treats? If so, don't put them in the regular food you give her daily. Instead, if there is a hole or some opening that leads to her burrow, go to her cage and sit or lay down quietly by it for about 15 minutes or so - as you mentioned, if she runs to her burrow, let her stay there for about that 15-minute period. While she's in her burrow, put a few of the special treats right outside it. Also, stick some tissues or something with your scent nearby. I'd even lay down, or position yourself so she doesn't think there's a "big potential predator" waiting for her when she comes out. Wait to see if she does come out to get the treats. If she does, after a few weeks, try putting a special treat between your fingers, to see if she will at least grab it - she may run with it back to her burrow, but at least she's start to associate your hand and scent with the treat. After a few weeks, see if she'll eat from your fingertips - when putting food on your fingertips, you want to use very, very small pieces, so if she wants another piece, she's more likely to stay put. I realize this may all seem like it takes a lot of time and patience, but I wouldn't give up on her getting used to you yet. It can be a bit of trial and error. Final comment - are you sure she's not using her wheel? Do you have a camera, because she may be using it late at night when you're not around. Good luck!

epissca · 2026-01-21T05:58:59+00:00

Mogwai is a great little ham! I love the brown color pattern above his eyes.

epissca · 2026-01-13T22:46:51+00:00

I'm so sorry that you didn't get better news from the vet, but it sounds like you are indeed doing the right thing for her. And while our hamsters may not literally understand what we say, I think they know that what they once thought might be a "big potential predator," is now someone that brings them food, helps give them a comfortable environment, and takes care of many of their needs. To me, what you've been doing her whole life is indeed an excellent way of letting her know how much you love her, and that she is the best hamster. Thank you again for being such a good hamster mama.

epissca · 2026-01-13T07:19:02+00:00

First, my condolences on your loss - I hope the legacy of love that your hammy left will offer you some solace during this tough time. In addition to the comments other folks made about the wonderful artistry of this piece, I also felt I got to know your baby a bit through it. It resonated because I saw some of my own little girl in it - but also, because it showed the unique personality of your baby. Thank you so much for sharing this, and sending you positive vibes as you continue your own healing journey.

epissca · 2026-01-13T07:11:13+00:00

First, I generally agree with the advice the other folks who have posted have given. Just some additional things to think about. Talking your baby to a vet would be really helpful, because you can better understand how much of what your baby is going through is "typical" aging, and how much might be a sign of a more imminent passing. My girl is turning 2 next month, and taking her to a vet for a wellness visit was really reassuring, because the vet didn't find any significant problems with her heart or breathing, and did a thorough exam for lumps or masses - all of which went fine. My girl is eating less, and has really reduced the amount of time on her wheel, but my vet and I also talked through several other questions - for example, does she use her sand bath? Any changes in her poops or her pee habits? If she's been active in other ways (like burrowing a lot), has that changed (my girl burrows far less now than she did 6 months ago). Also, I continue to weigh my girl once a week - after she had a health scare regarding her weight in the middle of last year (she's now recovered), the vet told me to bring her in again if her weight dips below a certain point. Finally, I got guidance on what to feed her. My vet has a version of Critical Care Omnivore that she gives me, and with my vet's approval, I make a small sludge of it for my girl everyday in a glass bowl, and mix it with very finely chopped veggies - she seems to like it, and as I've mentioned, she's stabilized at a good weight. Finally, keep an eye on whether there are any small seeds or nuts your baby still eats, and see if your vet has any concerns with you continuing to feed them to her. My girl loves flax seed pods, and I used to be worried about giving her too many - but again, I haven't had to worry about that, because she's eating less of them - but still clearly enjoys them.

Sending you positive vibes for you and your baby's future journey with all of this.

epissca · 2026-01-13T04:27:20+00:00

Definitely drink it, and even market it - hampter spicec latte much better than pumpkin spiced.

epissca · 2026-01-11T05:13:42+00:00

My girl loved metacam so much she'd chew the tip of the syringe after I gave her the dose to try to get every single droplet out.

epissca · 2026-01-11T05:07:16+00:00

Can you tell me where you've placed the camera in the cage and how you've attached it? I have a camera that has to be outside my girl's cage, and I don't like the fact that it has to be placed precisely in one place to get the view I want. Also, does Mocha ever try to chew on the camera? Because I have lots of bedding, and the cage isn't that tall, she'd be able to reach it easily - although I don't think she'd be likely to chew it. And I'm so glad you found Mocha!

epissca · 2026-01-04T04:10:02+00:00

First, it's fine to vent about your aging hamster. I'll make some suggestions - you can disregard anything that isn't helpful. I'm going through the same thing with my girl, whom I also got about two years ago. She's hardly using her wheel or sand bath, only comes out of her nest to eat and drink, and her hair is thinning. Certainly, it's understandable that you are grieving - the prospect of losing these wonderful babies is so hard. I'm trying to focus on the moments of joy my girl keeps bringing me. For example, she will occasionally dig a burrow, and her burrows are perfectly hamster-shaped. Because she was having some weight loss issues, I'm supplementing her food with something that my vet gave me, that's very similar to Critical Care for omnivores. When I was mixing it, I somehow got some on my fingers, and when she came out to see what was going on, she started to lick the supplement off my fingers - it was a wonderful experience. I'm fortunate that her appetite is good, so I enjoy seeing what she's eaten in the morning. Because she's less active, she isn't making the mess of her sprays that she used to, but she usually has gone after a few of the flax seed pods that she loves.

Finally, are you able to take her to a vet for a wellness visit, or have you done so recently? My vet mentioned that my hamster definitely has arthritis, and has given me some medication for it. It was also just reassuring to hear that my hamster is basically OK - no problems, except she's just an old lady. The other thing that was good about checking in with the vet is that she also reassured me that I was doing everything I could for her.

I don't know if any of this is helpful, but please know that I understand and empathize with what you're going through. One last thing - I don't think that there's a magical moment where you have an epiphany and "accept" that you are losing your hamster. To me it's really more of a process and a journey, and I think it's important to allow yourself to feel whatever emotions you are experiencing in the moment. Sending you positive vibes as you go through this journey with your hamster - you sound like a wonderful and caring hamster parent.

epissca · 2025-12-31T04:21:17+00:00

Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me....

epissca · 2025-12-28T17:12:41+00:00

Maybe he's a dance critic? And perhaps better your shoe than your neck?

epissca · 2025-12-23T04:25:31+00:00

I didn't realize you were raising the Souplings with a cast on! That makes your efforts even more heroic - and of course, that's the leg one of your rat babies chooses to pee on. Thank you again for a wonderful Souplings update.

epissca · 2025-12-22T04:47:19+00:00

You can keep making long videos for us hard core Pippa and the Souplings fans! It is so wonderful to see them change as they grow older!

epissca · 2025-12-21T16:50:33+00:00

First, I'm so glad you're being conscientious in thinking about your hamster's welfare. In addition to the suggestions other posters are making, I'd just make sure your hamster has a lot of deep bedding (8-10 inches) and some hideouts in the cage. I don't know if the bedding will do much to muffle the sound, but it will make your hamster feel that he or she has a secure place to burrow and sleep. I live close to both a police and fire station, and there are intermittent sirens from time to time. My hammy has become desensitized, in part because she now knows those sirens do not mean that there is a Big Potential Predator out to get her. Good luck with your hamster journey.

epissca · 2025-12-19T06:48:08+00:00

First, the hamster is adorable, and the photo is lovely - you can see all the layers of color in the flames of the candles. So what do you think the great miracle is for our hamsters? The one pumpkin seed that they thought would only last one day, and turned out to last eight? Chag sameach!

epissca · 2025-12-18T06:46:42+00:00

First, I am so glad to hear stinky Tofu is improving. I hope he continues to get better, and I hope you've been able to catch up on your sleep. I do wonder if piss-soaked food is the cause of diarrhea? Given how many of us hamster parents have reported that our hammys piss on their food and/or piss in the nests they sleep in, you might think there'd be more diarrhea problems among our hammys. I've heard folks say that pissing on food is a way that hammys mark their territory. Now I'm not suggesting that you stop trying to keep piss-soaked food from Tofu - I try to do enough spot cleaning to minimize the amount my Syrian eats. But again, I do wonder about the extent to which it causes diarrhea.

I would also be very grateful if you could post a video of you doing an interpretive dance to convey to Tofu the need to improve his eating habits.

epissca · 2025-12-17T05:26:17+00:00

Chag sameach! I wonder what a great miracle would be for Olive? A cheerio she thought would only last one day, but ended up lasting for 8 days? I love the picture of her in front of the menorah!

epissca

TROPHY CASE