I'm afraid of my hamster?

Question

I need help! I got a new hamster Saturday and it bit me the first day I had it. Well it was my fault because I had held him for too long, but now I have this fear of holding him again! I tried to gain his trust again today, but I just cant hold him! I start shaking because I'm afraid he might bite me again. I know it sounds silly, but I really want to be friends with this little guy. If im terrified of him, then how will I build a relationship? Please help! Very urgent!

Answer 1

The most important thing is to get over your fear, as your hamster can sense this. Please do NOT wear gloves when taming hamsters as they take this as one of these signs and skin to skin contact is important when building trust. It'll just annoy him more.

What you really should have done when you got him was to leave him be for 2-3 days so that he could settle into his cage. The noises and smells are strange to him right now, I also assume he's quite young. Plus, hamsters are territorial little creatures and have to get used to everything.

Anyway, I guess we'll have to skip this step. Next, you want to make sure you're hands are clean, so wash them thoroughly (they don't have great sight and will bite if they smell food on you), then place a hand on the bottom of his cage, palm down. With your palm down, he'll feel less threatened. Let him explore your hand, you'll have to be quite patient about this as it can be quite a long process. When he seems quite confident about what he's doing, try stroking him with one finger only. You want to continue this activity for maybe a day or so. I think taking it slowly like this will not only build his confidence, but yours too.

When you're happy enough too, move the cage to the floor or low surface and take him out slowly. You want to approach him from the back and around his shoulders, but don't make him jump! The low surface is in case he's jumpy and he falls. Hamsters can break bones easily if they catch them in the wrong way. I'm sure he'll be fine, though. Just remember, hamsters don't like to be held for longer than about 15 minutes (as per your previous question) and they like to keep on the move. So place one hand in front of the other, and so on. Do hold him every day, if you can. It helps maintain the relationship you will have built together. Oh, but don't wake him up to handle him! Otherwise you'll fall out again.

I have a Syrian and she never bites. They really are tolerant animals when they get used to you.  

Answer 2

Well, maybe you should try putting a bit of your hamsters favorite food in your hand, and having it crawl WILLINGLY into your hand, and be sure to hold it over it's cage, in case you get scared and drop it. Do that at least once a day, and maybe you won't be so afraid of him!

I hope that helps! <3

Answer 3

its not silly. that happened to me with my first hamster. you can start by talking to it. talk to it every day and it will get to know your voice. once it knows your voice, pet it while it is in its cage. remember to talk to it, it will keep him calm. after you feel comfortable with that you can have some one else pick him up and let him crawl into your hands. do this over a table or sitting on the floor in case he bites you and you are shocked and let go.  

Answer 4

wear gloves to build up your confidence again. When you feel your happy and confident handeling him then try using your bare hands again.

Answer 5

Thats what hamsters do if you hold them the first day. He is scared because he is in a new environment and bit as  a result.  

You want to leave him alone for the next three days. He will get used to the environment and new smells. Only open his cage to give him next food and water. After that you want to hold him for only a couple minutes and them let him stay in his cage for while. The next day hold him a little more and so on.

Answer 6

What I would do when I got new hamsters was leave them alone for one or two days to get them more comfortable. This is a big change for them and they do need time to adjust.

After those days, I would see how calm they were. If they weren't all that calm, I would get a sock or gloves and hold them for five minutes and then let them roam on my bed. Try to be as quiet as you can so you don't spook him. A soft and soothing voice would suffice, rather than your normal voice. Hamsters don't respond to voices, so it wouldn't matter if you talked in your regular voice or not. While out of the cage, give him treats so he likes being out of the cage, rather than dreading leaving his dark den.

You could also try taking him out later at night because they're more active then. When they're awake, they don't want to sleep. When the don't want to sleep, they aren't cranky. When they aren't cranky, they aren't as likely bite.

Once your hamster gets used to you, he will enjoy his time out of the cage. He won't think twice about biting you.

Sometimes hamsters are just naturally skiddish. If this is the case, you will really need to work hard to get him used to you. It may seem impossible, but once you accomplish it, you will feel completely satisfied that you have a little buddy you can hang out with when ever you want.

I hope I helped and good luck!