How/Should i pick up my hamster

Question

I bought a hamster yesterday and need to clean the cage, i planned to do this by putting the hamster in its hamster ball and allowingit to roll around our front room while i clean the cage however, when i try to pick the hamster up it squeels and tries to escape, is this normal and is there any specific way i should pick up the hamster and hold it?

Answer 1

Hi, when you get a hamster you should really leave it for a few days to get used to everything, otherwise it might not ever like to be handled. A good way to get your hamster to come to you is by offering it some food in one hand and when it comes to take it off you, try and grab it with the other hand, thats what i do.

Answer 2

When you get a hamster you should leave it alone for 24 hours to let it get used to the cage and its new suroundings you only need to clean its get 1 a week once its been 24 hours you should play with it everyday and wen you get it out you should give it a treat so it knows that you are a good person. Good luck :D  

Answer 3

It is normal. The first time you try to make him go in the ball he won't either. You have to trick him, if you have an igloo house turn it upside down and when he is in it put him in the ball. If you want him to get used to the ball, leave the ball in the cage. That way he'll get familiar with it, and next time you try to put him in the ball he'll go in.

Answer 4

  My friends have gerbils, and hamsters are quite similar.  You want to put your pointer finger in the middle of his stomach.  This will avoid it biting you.  Now use your other hand to support the bottom, pushing his bottom slightly upwards, preventing his/her to scratch you.

  Since you bought your hamster just a while ago, it is normal to try to escape.

Answer 5

if yo just got him yesterday, his behavior is normal. He need to be able to warm up to you first. What did when i first got my hamster, i just put the ball in the cage and let hom climb into it on his own time. Dont rush him  

Answer 6

I do the exact same thing with my mouse!  As far as it squealing and trying to get away, it's pretty much just really uncomfortable in its new environment.  This will lessen after a few weeks, and even a few days.  It's totally normal.  As far as holding it, I don't think there's any specific way except for "carefully."

Answer 7

Ask someone else!

Answer 8

put a seed in your hand and lay your hand flat in the cage. if he crawls onto your hand, gently lift him up and place your other hand over him, so only his nose sticks out. they cant escape like this, and they feel safe. however, i think you should hand tame it first, before you clean the cage.

Answer 9

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 put him directly into the hamster ball when you clean the cage.

I have attached my hamster taming guide to help you understand and tame your new hamster. All the best!

Taming your hamster 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 10

its normal until he gets to know you...but scoop him up in your hand (like you're scooping up water) and place your thumb, gently, on his back...bring him close to you and gently pet him with two fingers on your other hand until he calms down...but make sure you are sitting down as soon as you hold him.

Answer 11

by the waist