Hamster question?

Question

I just got one, and I'm wondering if, since he's only a baby, can I get him to be more comfortable with humans?

Also, what kinds of fruits and veggies are safe for them to eat?

Answer 1

The best way to get your hamster comfortable with humans is to simply handle him more and let him be around people. The exercise balls that let them cruise around the house are a pretty darned cool way to let him hang out in the room with you and have a bit of freedom without getting away. Keep in mind that they are naturally nocturnal and will be much more interested in playing at night than in the day.

As for diet, fruits and veggies are not going to hurt him, but they will give him diarrhea. You are much better off with hamster food from your local pet store. These are mostly grain based and less likely to upset the little guy's stomach.

Answer 2

All fruits and veggies are open for experimentation. You may find some things that are favorites and others he won't touch (my hamster HATES carrots!). Word of caution - only give as much fresh produce as will fit on a teaspoon per day; otherwise they will not drink enough water throughout the day. Try other things too, like scrambled eggs, cheese, breads, cooked brown rice, small amounts of meats, unsalted nuts & popcorn, unsweetened dried fruits, etc. Hamsters in the wild are omnivorous (like humans) and will eat just about anything they find appealing.

As for getting the little guy more accustomed to humans, put the cage in a publicly accessible place and talk to your hamster every day. Try to hand feed him, and leave the door open when you're there so he can feel comfortable with coming out.

Mine is nearly 3 (a VERY old hamster) and she's very much a people-friendly type, but she was very shy when she started out as a baby.

Get a good book from a reliable pet store and read up on things you can do to make him more comfortable.

Answer 3

The more you play with your hamster, the friendlier it will be. Make sure to handle it a few times a day, and gradually it will become accustomed to being held. Also, the good thing about a baby hamster is that its too little to bite, and as long as you keep handling it alot, by the time it is big enough to bite, it will be used to you.
As for what to feed it, I would recommend sticking with hamster food, they have some really good food for hamsters at Petsmart etc. While you're there, ask a sales associate what to feed your hamster. I can't remember if it's Petco or Petsmart, but one of the stores actually has a sheet of paper that will let you know which friuits and veggies etc are ok for hamsters to eat etc. Untill you talk to a professional, just stick with hamster food because some foods might be toxic to your new pet.

Answer 4

Start by making sure your hands are VERY clean before going to pick up your hamster. If you smell like food, the hamster will think you are food. Then put your hand in the cage without actually picking the hamster up. Let it smell you and get used to you. You can even rub your hand around in its bedding so that you smell more like it does. When you do pick up the hamster, scoop it up in one hand while using the other hand to cup it. This way the hamster won't feel like it's about to fall. It can take awhile (particularly if this is a young hamster), but eventually the little guy will get more comfortable with you.

You don't want to feed any fruits or veggies to often as it can lead to wet tail (basically, diarrhea), but things like carrots and celery can be good treats and good for helping work the little guy's teeth as well.

Answer 5

Frequent handling that is gentle and quiet. I assume you will mostly feed him a proper hamster feed and just supplement with fruits and veggies. My hamsters loved seeds more than fruit. They liked carrots and peanut butter. I even had one who loved tuna fish of all things.

Answer 6

The best and most assuring wayto socialize your hampster is constant interaction, even if you have gloves on (due to nipping) I have had hampsters most of my adult life, and now i have 2 mice. It took my mice about 3 weeks to get comfertable with me, but now they are totally comfertable with me and its great. Patience and persistance goes a long way. As far as food, i would buy a hampster food for it's main course, and those brown nibblet chunks, to keep it's teeth down. Fruits and veggies are okay, but not for a main meal. It'll give them digestive problems. I used to feed my cereal snacks, Bran Flakes, cheerio's etc. They love the littlest snacks. If you need more information, theres lots of sites online of hampster care. Type in hampster care in the search bar.
Good Luck

Answer 7

Just handle him as often as you can. Eventually he should start jumping into your hands because he's so excited! Some hamsters are exceptionally shy and never really warm up to humans, but most love to be held and cuddled.
As for fruits and vegetables you can give them most anything, but go easy because it will give them bad little poos if you give them too much roughage. I used to give a lot of my hamsters 1 dried apricot a day, they loved them!

Answer 8

We feed ours raw veggies, and raw fruit in small amounts he will let you know if he likes it. we make our own cheese too and give him some of that too. Get one of those round balls to put him in, it is very good exercise for them. Oh and the more you handle him the friendly -er he will stay. Enjoy

Answer 9

The more you handle them they better they are. I never really fed mine fruits and veggies..I know you can but I am not sure.

Answer 10

the more u handle him the more he will get used 2 u. here is a list of fruits and veggies they can eat: apples, celery, banana, peas, cucumber, seedless grapes and i think carrots.