My hamster refuses to get on my hand when i try to hold him.?

Question

I put my hand in the cage and he does whatever he can to avoid it. Why is this? I got him 2 days ago. Is this because he doesn't trust me yet? HELP!!! What should I do to make him trust me more?

Answer 1

You should leave the handling for a bit, he's obviously still scared, just feed him bits of food with your fingers and - i know this sounds weird - talk to him. That way he'll associate your voice with food, he'll always come out when you speak to him then.

Answer 2

set a treat on your hand and let him come up and sniff and take it. he will associate you with something good and will eventually come to you on his own.  talk in a soothing voice and he will learn the sound of your voice and scent and will learn to trust you. make sure you never just reach in and grab him because that is like a predator trying to get him.  rest a cupped hand in the cage and let him crawl into it. never grab! it may take a few days but those few days will give you a sweet hamster for life! good luck!!

Answer 3

its becuase you just got him

soon he should be comfortable and will let you just pick him up

Answer 4

he is scared

Answer 5

Hamsters didn't really play with humans in the wild, so his instinct is to get away from you.  

You're right, he doesn't really trust you yet, but you can fix that.  It'll take a little time though.

Try setting a treat on the palm of your hand and laying your hand in his cage.  Wait.  Wait until he takes the treat.  Remain completely still until he eats the treat.  Don't try to pick him up or anything.  Just leave him alone.  This is a peaceful way of offering him food.  Soon, if you do this every night, he'll sit on your hand while he eats the treat.  If you wait a few nights, he might let you pick him up without jumping out of your hand.

Answer 6

It is probably because he doesn't trust you. It takes more than 2 days to get a hamster used to you usually.

My hamster and I have a great relationship but she won't get on my hand either. She will sleep in my hands if i pick her up while she sleeps and eat out of my hand but it seems that most hamsters will not willingly climb into your hand.

You should gently pick him up and hold him with 2 hands, put him to your chest and this should calm the hamster and it will trust you more.

Also if you have it eat out of your hand 1st it will trust you for sure just don't take the food away.

Some breeds of hamsters also arn't as social if you have a Dwarf or Teddy bear hamster this could be the problem.