Help! My hamster tries to eat me!

Question

I'm not sure if its a kind of hamster way of showing affection or maybe I'm just that delicious, but my hamster always nibbles on me.

It doesn't hurt or anything but I'm just curious as to why my hamster would nibble on me.

She loves being stroked and played with and when I stroke her she nibbles on me. She always bites my hand first when I drop food in for her, so I wonder if it's a way of saying thanks.

Anyone know why?

Answer 1

Maybe she is just excited and checking that you are who you are supposed to be.  Plus they have great smell for all things nice so maybe your hamster is detecting a scent of a very special person and it has become his little ritual.

  

Answer 2

Warning, uncertainty. When I bought my latest Hamster home the first thing he did was jump on my hand, sniff it, nip it then jump back off and return to his wheel. It means i'm wary of you, not hostile but uncertain. Hamsters are like babies they find their way around new things by tasting them and using their mouth. You just have to keep handling them. Mine absolutely adores being held and cuddled now and I don't get nipped anymore.

Answer 3

could be a sign of gratitude or she's just seeing if you are edible. Besides who would turn down a giant steak (twice the size of you) for hamster munch?

Answer 4

can smell food on you or thinks you are food, u must wash your hands with soap and water before you hold her