Hamster problem???

Question

apparently, i have 2 dwarf hamsters that i bought yesterday...i tried to tame it to the fullest, but it kept biting the h**l out of my fingers! i did everything, from gently picking them up to persuading them with treats, but they always seem to wanna run away from me...what should i do?? i need good tips...thanx...

Answer 1

my hammy also did that to me. Once they bite you, put them down properly (avoid to slam them on the floor, they'll be hurt) then, let them walk around (for them to be able to exercise) but keep an eye on them so they will not escape. If you think that walking time is enough, then bring them back to the cage.

Do not hold them always because as I know, hamsters don't like to be touched very much unlike guinea pigs... Just talk to them as much as possible to keep them happy. ^__^

Sorry if this will not be much help ^^;

Answer 2

since you only bought them yesterday, leave them alone today and tomorrow. they need to settle in and calm down because theyve been taken to a whole new place and dont know whats going on.

once they seem quite calm, stay around them as long as you can. talk to them quietly so they can sense your presence.

slowly put your palm flat on the floor of their cage but dont move it. they will soon get used to the sight and smell of your hand and realize that youre not going to harm it.

once they start climbing over your hand, exploring it, slowly lift them out. they will obviously be scared because they are being elevated. stroke them gently and offer them treats. they will probably be too freaked to take the food so put them back in after a short while. i prefer not to give food because i like mine to not see me as a food dispenser.

just keep handling them gently, and they will start to enjoy your companionship.

good luck and enjoy your hammies!

Answer 3

Your hamsters are very new in your house. You just got them yesterday and before they could get adjusted to their surroundings, you are picking them up. This will definitely scare them and make them bite you. Taming a hamster is a slow and patient process and can take some time.

Read my guide on taming and handling hamsters. This would help you with your new hamsters. Email me if you have any more queries. All the best!

GUIDE TO TAMING HAMSTERS -

Taming can be a long process, don't expect your hamster to suddenly like be handled over night. It can take weeks or even months depending on the hamster. Here the the steps to handling a hamster -

STEP 1 - When you first get your hamster leave it alone for the first 2 - 3 days to let it get used to it's new cage and surroundings. If you pick him up on the first day itself, he will definitely bite you since you are a stranger to him.

STEP 2 - Once the hammy seems comfortable in his new cage, start talking to him softly and hang around his cage enough for him to get used to your voice and smell. After this time feed your hamster some treats from your hand so he get used to seeing your hand. This might take a few days to happen but be patient. If you feel that the hamster still bites you, you can use gloves initially.

PRECAUTION - always interact with the hamster only when he is active. If you touch him or disturb him when he is sleeping, he can get angry and bite viciously.

STEP 3 - Once your hamster seems confident with taking treats out of your hand you can try to start handling your hamster. Before you handle your hamster make sure you have washed your hands well. Hamsters have a strong sense of smell. If they smell something on your hand they may mistake it for food and decide to bite!

Get a cup or something similar and place it into the hamster's cage. He should come to investigate and crawl inside. Take the hamster and cup out of the cage and let him walk out onto your hand. While you do this make sure you're sat down or sat close to the floor incase your hamster decides to jump. Let him walk from hand to hand. Be careful you don't grab or wrap your hands around your hamster until he is fully tame as this may scare him and he will jump out of your hand.

STEP 4 - Once your hamster is more confident with you, you can start to pick up your hamster straight from it's cage. Just make sure your hamster is aware that you are there, if not you may suddenly scare the hamster and it may turn around and bite you.

Best way to hold hamsters is to make them climb into one hand and cupping the other hand softly over the body so that his head pokes out from the gap between your two hands. Remember, do not apply any pressure on his body, he will get scared and snap at you.

Answer 4

You can buy a pair of gloves and pull the tip of your fingers a little bit and you will not feel pain. It keeps running away, take a cerel box and cut the breadth. Then put it inside. Actaully my hamster also like yours.

Answer 5

Try to come down them.Give them to drink water from your hands and eat food,play with them with a ball,give them apples,bananas and other vegetables.

Answer 6

You should give them a bit of space for a little while, THEN... you just continue doing what you are doing now but maybe with knit gloves on.

Hope I helped!!!

~Animal_Lover

Answer 7

talk to them with a really sweet voice, caress their back, don't put your fingers through the cage bars, but just let them pick at them (even if it hurts) at the beginning to they know its not food. try giving them treats when they actually behave. the thing is that hamsters are really dumb compared to most rodents so yeah, that could be a problem. i have 3 girl pet rats and they are the sweetest thing, they don't bite, are super clean, potty trained and respond to their names. if they are males sometimes neutering helps a lot with agressiveness but that could be quite expensive. you may want to leave a lot of food at their disposition too so your fingers don't aspire any sense of hunger.