Nervous about hammie?

Question

When i first held my hamster he bit me. And now i am afraid to hold it. 3 of my friends held it and he didn't bite them exept for one but thats cause they were holding him and he wanted to move. I am too scared of him biteing me. Any tips?

Answer 1

That happened to me, it happened to my uncle. It was only the first time though. Now, Gizmo loves me. "Hammie" is just a little scared.

Answer 2

Wear garding gloves until he is used to you and you aren't affraid of getting bit.  I just let them bite it never hurt that much and only one ever drew blood.

Answer 3

It is ok! This happened to me. My hamster used to bite me everytime she saw my hand and now I cuddle her all the time! Hamsters can sense fear. Do not be afraid and she won't bite you! Wash your hands with a soap you like and make a fist so she can smell it. DO NOT BE SCARED AND SHE WON'T BITE! Even if she does, its OK. She's scared and she needs you to be calm. Then when she stops being scared at your hand, start petting her every day. Then start petting her on both sides but not picking her up. Lastly, pick her up and pet her do not try to move her around just calm her down and put her back very soon. Hold her more and more each day and then you should be good. But always use the soap that she knows the smell of after that. Good luck!

Answer 4

He's biting you because he's scared. Put yourself into his shoes for just a moment. In the wild they are prey. And he's looking at you, and you are much bigger than he is...so he's thinking that you're going to hurt him, he doesn't know that your intentions are to be friends with him, just yet.

The way I tame my hamsters is by getting a treat and giving it to them in their open cage door. Then everyday doing that but tempting them into my hand. When you're able to get it into your hand, cup your hands around it and sit down and hold it close to your chest and pet it. Be patient. I have one hamster that will come when he's called, that didn't take overnight, trust me..it's taken almost a year to get him to come to his cage door when I call him. Patience is the key to having a hamster.

Just be careful to make sure you don't drop it if it bites you, you don't want to hurt it.  You do not want to wear gloves, that scares them even more.  I have one that I had given to a friend, she wore gloves and then called me to come get her, I brought her back home and that night I had to change her cage and all, and she would screech at me, and try to get my hands, because she was TERRIFIED!  

Good Luck. If you need to ask any questions, email [e-mail]

Answer 5

Training your hamster should help; here are the steps to training your hamster:

Step 1

Hold, cuddle, talk to and pet your hamster. If she seems frightened or shy, let her get used to the sound of your voice.

Step 2

Lay food next to your hand. Your hamster will walk up to the food and eat beside your hand.

Step 3

Put food in the palm of your hand. Your hamster will sit in your hand to eat the food.

Step 4

Stroke her back while she is eating.

Step 5

Cup your other hand over the hamster while she is eating.

Step 6

Carry her around in your cupped hands for a few minutes.

Step 8

Remove your other hand and set your hamster-filled palm back down. Let the hamster look around to see that it is safe.

Step 9

Hide peanuts in your shirt collar. Encourage your hamster to run up and down your arms and across your shoulders, searching for peanuts.

Step 10

Lie on the floor with your hamster. Hide bits of apple underneath your back.

Step 11

Enjoy your hamster running across, under and over you, sniffing for the apple.

Hope that helps.