i have a fancy hamster?

Question

hi, i have a fancy hamster. it is black and white and is so cute! his name is hammy. i clean his cage once a week. is that enough? i have this little house thing that he goes to the bathroom in and i clean that everyday. but for the bedding, is once a week good? and, whenever i try to touch him, he jumps like 3 inches and totally scares me. i have touched him a few times and he hasnt jumped, but any tips or pointers on how to get him to get used to me? thanks!

Answer 1

Yep, you are right on with keeping the cage clean. No worries there.
To get him used to you, never touch him while he is sleeping. Tap the cage or call him to wake him first. They are cranky when they first wake up. :)
Wash your hands. Especially if you just handled his food, or another animal. Like a dog. If you smell like his food, you'll get chomped by mistake. If you smell like a predator, he will have to defend himself.
Get a toilet paper holder. You know, the cardboard middle of the roll. Put that in the cage and wait for him to go in and investigate, then pick it up with Hammy inside. That way you can hold him without him hurting you, at least until he gets used to being handled. Put your hand out so that he has nowhere to go but your hand, give the roll a little shake, he should come out.
Be patient. It may take a little while for him to see you as a friend.

Answer 2

Once a week is just fine for the general bedding as long as the cage is big enough. I'm assuming it probably is, as most cages are specifically built for hamsters so I wouldn't worry.

It's good that you clean out the little house often, many people don't bother to spot-clean more than once a week but it really is a good habit to get into to. It helps keep the living area much more sanitary.

As for taming him, when he's awake you should try to hold you hand steadily in the cage, close to the level of the bedding and just keep it still. Even if he doesn't do much the first few times, he's slowly getting used to you being near him. I would also put some treats on your hand for him to come and investigate. Don't try suddenly picking him up or petting him, always use slow movements. It can be frustrating at first, but hamsters are usually pretty easy to tame.

Answer 3

Let him see your hand coming towards him when you go to touch him, first of all. Try to get him to eat a treat while you are holding him.
Most importantly, handle him several times a day for as long as he'll sit still.

About changing the cage... once a week is enough, especially if you have him "potty trained" as you seem to, but don't let it go any longer than that.

Answer 4

hey congrats hamsters are awesome! but yeah i used to work at petco and handle them all the time. What you should do is try placing your hand in the cage and let him sniff you and come at you on its own! so that it gets comfortable with your scent and touch. after he's gotten comfortable begin stroking him softly down his back so e feels safe. He'll get used to you fast! and use carefresh bedding if you already dont its the safest out there for them! any other bedding gives them health problems and sometimes its so serious they die! But good luck and have fun!

Answer 5

my friend had a hampster that did the same thing (and it was funny and not funny at the same time) she just pet it and put her hand in its cage for her to sit on or sniff...good luck!

Answer 6

1:IF HE/SHE IS YOUNG IT'S EASY TO GET USE TO AROUND PEOPLE IF YOU PLAY WITH HIM AT LEAST EVERYDAY

2:IF HE IS SORT OF OLD IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY HARD FOR HIM/HER TO GET USE TO ANYONE

BUT EVEN THOUGHT (THIS MIGHT SOUND DUMB)WEAR SOMETHING LIKE A GLOVE AND TRY TO HOLD HIM AND PET HIM
OH AND TO GRAB HIM TAP ON OR WAKE HIM UP FORM HIS CAGE AND WAIT A WHILE THEN TRY TO GRAB HIM