I'm scared to hold my hamster, I've gotten nipped and biten a lot?

Question

This is my second hamster, and I think it's a dwarf Russian hamster. Well, Every time I see my hammy awake I take the chance to pick him up or pet him. He usually nips me. And even when i clean out his cage he goes over to my hand to bite me. I used to ALWAYS wear gloves with my other hammy but I want to REALLY hold it. And I don't want to use gloves for the old hammy got used to gloves and bit human hands or any other type of glove. Help me please i love my hammy even though he's mean.

Answer 1

Is it new? Perhaps it's not used to you yet? Good luck though.

Answer 2

i WOULD say to take small steps to let it get used to you...but your hamster might just be an aggressive one...like humans, hamsters have different personalities. I have 4 hamsters as well.  some of them just won't let me touch them at all, whereas my other friendlier ones just love to come into my hand. Some advice to try to get it to let you hold & pet it:

The steps are quite simple. You NEVER just pick it up by holding the hamster with your thumb and your fingers. It will frighten the hamster and may bite you. First, just put your hand in the cage and let your hamster sniff your hand. Let it get used to you & when it shows no signs of aggressiveness, slowly scoop it up when it's on your hand directly. use your two hands to make a "path" for your hamster so that it can walk a bit on your hands :] I'm sure it'll get used to you if you give it love and effort. ( If you're scared it might bite, use rubber gloves at first when trying to scoop it up )

P.S.: it might nibble at your hand from time to time when you're handling your hamster, but as long as it doesn't seriously bite you to the point where it really hurts or bleeds, it's okay :] Just don't force the little thing & it will get used to you in time.

Answer 3

well to get to hole your hammy, you must first get him/her to get use to your sent.. out your hands in the cage enough so he will come near oyu then when he he right near the bars of the cage remove your hand and put you finger  NEAR his nose.. dont stick your finger in or he/she might think it is a treat.. after a little bit of him smelling you try to pick him up.. firstly make sure he/she is looking at you and he knows your are aproching.. aproch him.herslowly.. if he starts to smell your hands then let him/her smell for a quick second then move your hand back at after a week at the most of this constant procidure he/she will eventually get use to you.. dont be scared of your hamster because if your scared you sweat ( even a little bit ) the hamster will smell is and want to bit it and l**k it as if it was a slat lcik you can buy for hamsters.. ( sweat has salt in it ) once you and your hammy bond you and him.her will be close and the hammy will listen to you when you cal its name over and like mine it might even show off ( running fast through tubes or climb then star at you then continue as if he.she is saying " are you watching? " ) have fun and take your time dont rush things and aproach with caution.

Answer 4

don't be nervous for they might be able to sense that.

im just letting you know. luck to ya :D

Answer 5

OMG. The Russian Dwarfs are the nastiest hamsters.  Some breeds are just nastier and no matter how much you try to tame them they will bite.  The best hamster for me has been the fancy bear.  My Honey is so sweet.  She has never ever bitten me one time and I have had her over a year.  You have to proceed slowly with hamsters and be very gentle.  They don't like to be startled.  They will let out a warning sound when they want you to back off.  They don't love to be handled but you could try petting it in the cage.  When you are trying to handle it I would wear gloves so that it doesn't hurt.

Answer 6

I would wear gloves tell this hamster let you hold him/her, for safety. But just try to hold it when is sleeping when it is tired  so it  wont want to bite you. Hope this helps

Answer 7

he/she doesn't like to be held at all.

Answer 8

Yes, I always get the same kind of hamsters [Russian Dwarf]. Every single one of them have did the same thing. I just stopped playing with it, hoping it would learn it's punishment, and stop biting me. (:

It didn't work... lol

Answer 9

srry its so long

Hamsters that have not been handled much (and this includes a lot of hamsters sold at pet stores) are usually not very tame and often bite if you try to pick them up. When dealing with these hamsters, it is most important to remember that they are biting because they are afraid. Unfortunately, they see people as a threat, and are just defending themselves; they are not being purposefully mean or aggressive.

Answer: The key to handling a hamster that bites is patience. You need to earn the trust of your hamster, and it is a gradual process. Do not be discouraged as it may take a month or even longer to win this trust. I've provided a general schedule of steps below, but please be flexible and adapt it to your hamster. If your hamster settles down and responds faster, you can shorten the time between steps, but if he/she is still fearful or aggressive at any step, go back a step and take a bit longer before progressing.

Week 1: Let Your Hamster Get Used to You.

Spend time sitting near the cage and talk to your hamster, in the evening when they are active. You can even read or sing to him or her. The idea is to let the hamster adjust to your presence, especially your scent and your voice. Remember, moving to a new cage in new surroundings is very stressful, and this period also gives your hamster a chance to adjust to life in your home. At this point, do not try to touch your hamster.

Week 2: Let Your Hamster Get Used to Your Hand

Now when you sit by the cage and talk to your hamster, place you hand inside its cage. Go slowly here too: the first day, put your hand just inside the door or top of the cage, and then each day after that you can put your hand in a little farther. Do not try to touch your hamster, but if your hamster becomes curious, let him or her sniff or explore your hand.

Week 3: Add Some Treats

By now, you might have figured out some of your hamsters favorite treats. Most like sunflower seeds, and while these should only be fed in moderation they can be a great training aid. Small bits of raisin or apple or other favorite treats can be used, but don't give too much of these at one time. Offer your hamster these goodies from the hand you put in the cage and eventually your hamster will likely come over to your hand to eat. Feeding your hamster from your hand will help gain its trust.

Week 4: Picking up Hamsters

Once your hamster is taking treats comfortably, you can start trying to gently pet your hamster. If your hamster accepts treats and allows you to touch him or her, try picking up your hamster. You might want to try enticing your hamster onto your hands with the treats. Then you can try scooping the hamster up with both hands: place one hand on either side of the hamster, and then bring your hands together under the belly of the hamster. Gently cup your hamster in your hands rather than tightly gripping over the back, as hamsters sometimes find pressure over their backs threatening at first. You will probably have to take the top off the cage to do this, so make sure you are working in an escape-proof area. Do not hold your hamster high off the ground in case he or she tries to jump out of your hands (first just try holding him just off the floor of his or her cage). Holding hamsters facing your body seems to make them less likely to try to jump out of your hands.

Tips and Hints

If you need to pick up your hamster (e.g. for cage cleaning) before he or she is tame, try using a dringing glass. Just use the open end of the glass to "herd" your hamster into a corner, then scoop him or her up gently and tip the glass upright.

If your hamster jumps out of your hands and gets away, and won't let you pick him or her up again, you can use the drinking glass or a thick towel to scoop your hamster back up and get him or her back to the cage.

Wash your hands before trying to handle your hamster. If you hands smell like food, your hamster (who has poor eyesight) might mistake your fingers for food!

Sometimes people will use thick gloves for handling biting hamsters. This can be a good temporary solution to picking up a hamster that bites. However, it is still stressful for the hamster and the hamster doesn't get a chance to know your scent, so it doesn't really help the taming process.

As much as bites hurt, try not to shake your hand to dislodge your hamster. Try to gently put the hamster back down, or use your other hand to pry the hamster off your hand. Do not scold or yell or hit your hamster: try to stay calm and remember your hamster is biting out of fear.

or go and read this:http://www.answerbag.com/articles/How-to...

Answer 10

what you need to do is wear something similiar to garden gloves, hard and leather. to teach him not to do this, hold him and let him bite the gloves all he wants. biting is a defense mechanism for them and if he notces that he bites you and you put him away, hes gonna think" o, so if i bite her im of the hook from being held" but if you hold him and let him bite the gloves all he wants, he will eventually realize that the biting is not scaring you off and he doesnt get put away when he does this

hope i helped:)