My hamster doesn't like to be held...?

Question

I've had my hamster about 5 days now and she is beautiful but doesn't seem to want to be held.

She will come out of her ball and crawl over my lap but as soon as i put my hand near her for her to crawl on she will just back away, and when i pick her up she will jump and run really fast.

Does anyone have any advice?

Answer 1

Hamsters take some time to get trained to get into your hands. I have attached my hamster training guide. Go on directly to Step 3. Hope it helps you with your hamster.

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 2

That's probably just her personality.  Some hamsters will not like to be held.  I've had one who didn't.  Just put her in the ball when you need to handle her.

Answer 3

try to let her get used to you and your home maybe shes scared pet her while she is in her cage then try to pick her up

Answer 4

I had the same problem!!!

I took lettuce and fed my hamster and talk to her calmly.Of course aprouch her slowly and be calm when doing this.

When she got used to my hand being aruond I put lettuce in the middle of my palm ang let her crawl on my hand and eat the lettuce. then I sowly picked her up. Dont go to fast and be pationt with your hamster!!!

Answer 5

Hi, I had a Hamster named Buddy like a year ago, he was very cute, he was Light Brown, and White, and he had red eyes. He didnt mind being held, or in his ball, but if you went at him the wrong way, or touched him in his cage, he bit, but he drew blood when he bit.... So it might either be Fear, or just the personality.. :]

-Randi-

Answer 6

YOU CAN TEACH HER VERY SLOWLY.  DONT TAKE IT PERSONAL, SHE JUST HAS TO LEARN WHO YOU ARE!

PUT YOUR HAND NEXT TO HER, NOT TOO CLOSE AND EVERY DAY BRING IT A LITTLE CLOSER, FLAT ON THE WOOD CHIPS, AND EVENTUALLY SHE WILL WALK ON YOUR HAND.  WORKS GREAT IF YOU PUT FOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR PALM.

Answer 7

Keep trying. Maybe she will get used to you and let you hold her. Good luck!

Answer 8

don't hold it then!