How can I get my Robovski Hamsters to warm to me?

Question

I have just got 2 new Robovski hamsters 2 days ago. When I put my hand in the cage to see if they would take interest, they are so timid they scamper away. They are so cute but they won't let me touch them! I'm taking it slow only trying to get them to come a little closer... are they going to stay timid? I'm not talking about all hamsters but ROBOVSKI hamsters as they are different, smaller, faster and seem alot more timid. To robovski owners, do they ever warm to you and actually let you touch/pick them up? I love them whatever the answer is but I would be interested if you would take the time to talk about this... xoxoxoxo

Answer 1

Hey Kay! I have roborovski hamsters too heehee!!! Just take it slow, keep your hand in the cage with a treat on it for ages until they come onto it because they will. Then when they stay on gently take your hand out of the cage and hold them close to you because they feel comfort and security. Hope this helped! Love from your bff heehee emmie!!! xxxxx

Answer 2

It is true that robo hamsters are faster and wriggly and cannot be "cuddled" like other dwarfs or syrians. When they are being handled, it is best to do so over a "playbox" or normal cardboard box from the supermarket. (If a Roborovski's hamster once gets loose on the floor it will be a major challenge to retrieve!)

I have attached my hamster taming guide. Hope it helps you to get your hamsters warm up to you.

Guide to taming hamsters -

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 3

Keep up what you are doing. Try to take a toilet paper tube, and get them inside. A cup works too. Then, dump them onto your hand. Make sure you do this over the cage, so if they jump, they'll be safe. Keep doing this, with a treat on your hand, so they'll stay on your hand to eat it. After a week or so, don't place a treat on your hand. They should get used to you. Hope this helped! ^-^