Vicious/scared hamster?

Question

Ok, well we got a new hamster about 2 days ago.

whenever i look at him though the cage, he'll just stop, and stare

at me. If I make a noise, like a sniff, or something he will flinch. Sometimes he would stand on his hind legs and his teeth show.

I stick my hand in, and he moves farther away, or tries to get away. I cant pet him. I took a spoon, and gently poked him, and he spazzed out, and was on his back, being scared,. I dont know what to do. I had food in my hand, he didnt even sniff it, he just looked away, or moved away, or did his own thing.

WHAT DO I DO?!

Answer 1

Well, it sounds to me like he was abused or at least handled very roughly. Or it could be that he's still very stressed out from coming home with you. Whatever you do though, DON'T POKE HIM WITH A SPOON!!! How would you feel if you saw a giant metal thing coming at you when you're already terrified? try to let him calm down for a few days, keep his cage covered with a towel and in a quiet room. let him get used to his surroundings before you poke and prod him. also, if he's sleeping when you go to put your hand in the cage or whatnot, chances are he's going to be scared awake and all hamsters, no matter how nice they normally are, are mean when they are rudely awakened. When he does calm down, make low soothing noises and just set your hand in the cage so he can come up to you on your own, if he's allowed to do it on his own time, chances are he'll be friendlier later on. Good luck

Answer 2

well considering you just got your new hamster, its probably scared and confused about its new home. it might take time to get it to trust you, but simple tricks include:

- feeding by hand

- getting it used to your natural scent

- approaching it carefully so that it wont be afraid of you

- holding them and letting them out often.

but most of all, just give him some time.

Answer 3

Ok this might sound silly, but just imagine this:

You are with all of your family and friends, until one day you get scooped up into a card board box and are surrounded in darkness. Then you get dumped in a plastic cage like thing, that feels like a jail to you. "Where are your friends" you wonder. "Where is my family" you cry. New things, weird smells, scart noises. You watch your every move.  Then all of a suddon, a HUGE giant 1 billion times the size of you comes reaching in your little jail. Whats your first instinct? Bite run, hide, defend yourself in every way you know how. Show your teeth to scare the giant off. "whats this?" you shriek. "The giant is poking me with a weapon!?!? AHH! I want my old hammie friends back and my old home back!"

Thats EXACTLY what your hamster is going through right now. You should have some respect for him. Give him up to a week with no human interaction to just get used to his new home. After a few days, come up to the cage, don' open it, touch him, or anything. Just kneel next to it and talk gently and soothingly. Do this for a few days, you are in the process of training. After a few days of this, talk to him and offer him a treat through the bars. Don't chase him around with it, let him come to you, when he is ready. Food is the key to his heart. =] after he comes up to you for treats for a few days, reach into the cage and lay your hand on the floor of the cage. Don't move it, even if he comes over and hops on to it. Just let it dangle there. Do that for a few days. NEVER put your hand over a hamsters back, EVER. It is a HUGE threat to them. anyway, once he is comfertable with your hand, put a cup in the cage. He will crwal into it. Scoop he cup up and let him crawl onto your lap.

This will take up to a month, but it will be worth it. Remember, this little guy has been through alot and he just needs respect right now =-D I am sure you will do great!

Answer 4

don't poke your hamster with a spoon.  maybe give him some Cheerios cereal on your hand and he might go in your hand that way.  karen

Answer 5

It takes time for a hamster to get used to where it lives. First you need it to get used to your voice. When you give it food in its cage just talk to it to calm it. Don't make any sudden movements and don't poke it. Do this for some time, until it stops running away when your hand comes in. Then start putting food in your hand. If he doesn't come, leave the food there. The next day, do it again. Eventually he'll come and eat the food while its in your hand. He'll realize that your hand won't hurt him. When he gets very comfortable with you hand you can start lifting it a couple of inches from the cage and back down when he goes into your hand. Then he'll definately know that you are harmless. Eventually you can take him out of the cage and play with him. You'll know that you've bonded when he starts climbing up your arm to your shoulder and just sitting there.

Here's a website I found: its pretty useful

http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Hamsters

Answer 6

First leave him alone for about 2 days then pet him with 2 fingers talking to him softly and calling him by his name then hand feed him and give him lots of treats. He just doesn't know you yet it will take a couple of weeks but he will come around. Also the standing on his hind legs and teeth showing is normal he just heard something new or interesting but that is a good sign because he is alert so he is healthy. Just take it slow it takes a while for taming to take affect. You are doing just fine. Hope this helped!!