How can I stop my hamster from nipping at me?

Question

I just recently got a pet hamster and she's been nipping at me or anyone else that has been holding her. What can I do to make her stop biting others as well as me?

Answer 1

Get yourself a male hamster. Just kidding.

Female hamsters are very moody creatures, the go through alot of menstrual cycles more than human women. she can have mood swings all day. every day, every few weeks.

Female hamsters can be very full of attitude and temper. It is their nature to just be bitchy and nip when the are not quit used to being annoyed. They are like our girlfriends, mothers and sisters and sometimes boyfriends too, when they all moody they last out and be abusive hurting you without meaning to.

I have had experience with both s*x of hamsters and her is what i suggest.

Seeing that hamsters sleep a lot.... they hate being woken up outside the time their internal clocks say they should. That is why they tend to nip when handled. Suggestion: USE A SWAB TO GENTLY WAKE HER AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS UNTIL SHE STARTS TO MOVE AROUND B4 YOU PICK HER UP.

If hamster is already awake, sometimes its just the fact that it is feeling insecure in your hands and would like to return to it humble home where is considers safe heaven. The only thing you could do to stop this is try to hand feed her her favorite snacks and treats so she gets used to seeing fingers. Plan schedule pick up times with her along with these snack times so she will associate snack with having a fun ride in your hand, but do not do this to often.... take gradual steps today you take her up twice tomorrow you take her up three times, and so on.

IT HELPS TO WEAR A THICK GLOVE FOR THE FIRST FEW TIMES UNTIL SHE STOPS NIPPING AT THE GLOVE THATS WHERE YOU ARE SURE SHE IS USED TO BEING CARRIED AROUND AND PICKED UP IN YOUR HANDS. AND TALK TO HER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN SOFT TONES YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW WELL SHE LISTENS AND THE PERSONALITY SHE DEVELOPS.

THATS ABOUT IT IN A NUTSHELL. I WOULD SUGGEST GETTING A BOOK TOO AT YOUR LOCAL PET STORE ON HAMSTERS. HELPS A WHOLE LOT.

GOOD LUCK

OH AND MAJOR WARNING!!!!!

TWO HAMSTERS SHARING CAGE SHOULD BE AVOIDED  

I ENDED UP WITH A PREGNANT HAMMIE LOSING HER HEAD, I MEAN THE MALE TOTALLY ATE IT OFF. AND FEMALES DO KILL THEIR MATES TOO AS WELL AS THEIR BABIES IF STRESSED.

Answer 2

Get some bitter apple spray and rub some on your finger when you hold your hamster and after a little while it will learn you don't taste good and you will be able to handle it with no problem.

Answer 3

When bringing a new hamster home, do not expect that it will come into your hands immediately as the hamster will still be afraid and shy of you. In order to have your hamster to trust you, you should occasionly give hime treats and avoid handling him until he will gain trust in you and will come on your hands on his own. This usually takes days or even months! Patience is an important factor. Also, to avoid any bites from your hamster, make sure that you wash your hands well after handling any food or else the hamster could bite you, (as the hamster would think that your hand is food!).

Kind Regards

Nadia Vella

http://www.hamster-club.com

[e-mail]

Answer 4

Put a little bit of tabasco sauce on your fingers.  Works like a charm!  If you're really bothered by it, I know a good friend who makes high quality hamster muzzles.

Answer 5

I always had gerbils and i decided to go for the cute fluffy hamster once because they were sooooo adorable. BIG MISTAKE. Hamsters are evil, i dont think ive ever known one NOT to bite. It may nip at you now, but the more time goes on the worse itll get. When i first got mine i could hold it and play with it etc...i eventually had to get rid of it because it would race the whole way across the cage just to latch on. It came to the point where it drew blood and i actually had to hit it off the side of the cage to get it off of my finger!!! I still have scars, and that was MINIATURE hamsters... =/ i could only imagine the bigger ones...

Answer 6

wash your hnds good befor you play with her

Answer 7

Feed it.

And maybe don't hold it.

If you have to...put some food in your hand.

It's just trying to get away...know that it will chew through its self to get some where...so it's not you...and not much you can do.

Answer 8

Always wash your hands before holding your hamster because you might smell like food. Also if you have not been holding your hamster try to give her love and cuddle, or  if you have been holding your hamster, and playing with her she might just be trying to get used to you.