Why does my hamster squeal when I try to pick him up?

Question

I just got my hamster yesterday and everyone held him gently and he never bit anyone. We played with him for a couple hours then put him asleep. This morning I tried to pick him up and he rolled on to his back. He got up, started hissing, then started squealing. He was fine yesterday. Why is he doing this?

Answer 1

When you try to pick up a hamster when it's sleeping  it'll attack thinking you going to harm it. Wait until HE WAKES UP.

Answer 2

dont worry its normal for a new hammy in a new home, mine did this when i first got her. Its cus hes scared of your hand what i do is make sure he is awake and not asleep they tend to be grumpy if you wake them up ! get a hammy treat and get him to come to you so put it under his nose and he should follow you then when he has come to the door of the cage pick him up and put on lap and then give the treat do this everyday for a while and he should get used to it after a while mine sure did anyway

hope i was some help good luck :D

Answer 3

my guiny pig did this evry time i took her out of her cage and so in did this it should work for yours to. talk very quietly in your room, when you put your hands in the cage come at him slowly, and if he squiels just say shhh shhh. hope it helps.

                                               ps cuz he is scaird

Answer 4

Let him get adjusted to you and his new environment. Then try and hold him. You probably just spooked him.

Answer 5

probably because it doesnt want to be picked up or it got scared  

Answer 6

Hamsters I agree are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and get active during the night and that's when you can play with it. Since you got him yesterday, I would suggest you to let your hamster get use to it's new home, since you know, it moved out of it's old house. The best thing to do if the hamster keeps squeling if you pick it up, is to lure it with treats. They are petite and can go on your hand because they are not large. Anyways, good luck.

Answer 7

i think u better leave him for a bit because u may be playing with him a bit to much and he may not want to be held all the time.

hope i helped!

Answer 8

He might be in a ornery. That's like a phase hamster have sometimes when they don't want to be held. Also remember that the hamster is new and still needs to be tamed.  

Answer 9

remember hamsters are nocturnal - they sleep during the day and play at night. you probably woke him up this morning and he was kinda socked and scared. And the first 1 or 2 days you shouldnt handle your hamster. you should let it get used to its new environment and all the new smells. But it's ok. You can offer your hammie a little treat in the evening and then try to handle it.

Answer 10

Is Your Hamster New If Soooooooooooo You Might Want To Leave Him For about a week or so.

If he is relatively old then he might be a bit scared and fragile or you might want to take a trip down to the vet for a check just in case he has an illness.

I used to have a hamster called muddles (Sadly my nan lost him lol).

Answer 11

He is not yet used to having an owner who picks him up everyday. try to hold them in a towel just incase they go to the bathroom or tries to bite you. i hope i helped!

Answer 12

may be he wants to stay there.or may be ,well i dont knoe

Answer 13

Maybe you are not holding it right try to hold it right next time you pick it up!