Handling hamsters is one of the joys of having hamsters, but until you have had success at taming your hamster, you will not have much luck holding your hamster. Hamster do sometimes bite, but it is very important to remember that if your hamster bites, it means that your hamster is frightened and is defending itself the best way it knows how. If you are consistently calm and gentle about handling your hamster, and employ a little bribery by offering them their favorite treats from your hand, it will lead to success in taming your hamster.
- To make handling and taming easier, there are a few simple rules to follow to make sure your hamster is not stressed before you start handling your hamster:
- when you bring home a new hamster, give it a week or so to just get used to its new home and surroundings before you try to do much handling
- make sure your hamster has a nice, good-sized cage and the other necessities for stress-free housing.
- place you hamster’s cage in a location where your hamster will be around people, but not disturbed by excess noise, harassment from other pets, or other distractions (especially during the day when hamsters are mostly sleeping).
- don’t disturb or try to handle your hamster during the day when it is sleeping, especially at the beginning. Work on taming and handling only after the hamster has emerged from his or her nest on his own — waking up a hamster is a fairly sure way to make him or her defensive and grumpy
Don’t rush through the steps, and take time to get to know your hamster and respond to its cues. The key here is to earn your hamsters trust so your hamster can be sure that he or she has no reason to be afraid of you. Remember if you push your hamster too far, too fast, your hamster will be stressed, and it will actually be harder to earn your hamsters trust. Be sure your hamster is not stressed by any of these steps before moving on to the next one
- Allow your hamster time to become comfortable in his or her new environment. Signs include your hamster eating, drinking, and playing when you are present.
- Spending more time around your hamster’s cage and quietly talk to the hamster to get it used to your voice. Don’t know what to say? Try reading a book out loud or singing softly to your hamster!
- Offer some favorite treats (try sunflower seeds, or bits of raisin or other dried fruits) by hand. Start by offering treats through the bars of the cage (if you have a wire cage, otherwise just offer them right at the edge of the cage door), and once your hamster scurries over for treats, try putting your hand just inside the cage. Don’t try to touch your hamster — let your hamster come over to explore your hand.
- Place the treat on your open hand inside the cage, so that your hamster has to reach onto your hand, and perhaps place a paw or two onto your hand to get the treat. Again, don’t force the issue — let your hamster come to you.
- Place the treat so that your hamster has to climb on your hand to get the treat. Once your hamster is bravely doing this (and only then) try to gently scoop up your hamster and lift him or her up. The first few times your hamster will likely jump right off, but just be gentle and persistent, and eventually your hamster will realize your hands are safe
Thanks for reading, team shanklinpets