About a week ago my boyfriend and I went to Petsmart and got 3 Siberian male hamsters. The guy who was handling them said they bite right off the bat, he wouldn't even pick them up with his bare hands, every time we even stick our hand in the cage the bite as hard as they can, often drawing blood. We scoop them up in a tissue box and place them on our hangs gently but they still bite us as hard as they can, and we don't smell like food, we always wash our hands right before handling them. I don't know what to do, should I keep them? Thanks for your input.
2006-08-23 03:29:49 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
sounds like they havent been handled much before u got them so they arent used to it. sometimes they r just cage aggressive but yours dont fit that bill. i wouldnt give them away unless u know someone experienced who wants to deal with the problem---they will just be in the same situation as u. try handfeeding them a few times a day. talk to them thru the day when they r awake so they get used to u. have u tried sitting on the couch and letting them run all over u? keep that tissue box handy to pick them up. they get usd to u this way---dont just try holding them and dont wake them to handle them. when holding them try 2 cupped hands rather than 1 palm. it will take some some time but they should get used to u. if not, the next best option is to just not handle them. handling is for us anyway, not them.
make sure u arent using cedar or pine bedding--besides being bad for their health it covers your scent and they need to get used to it.
2006-08-23 04:38:41 · answer #1 · answered by galaxygurl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had one female Siberian Hamster, she would always bite me if I put my hand in her cage but once I had her out of there (however I could get her out without being bitten) she would be fine. Maybe the males smell each other? I wouldn't think it was a good idea to keep them in the cage together, and they probably smell each other while you're holding them. I guess the Petsmart guy probably knows best though, you could try asking someone from where you got him.
2006-08-23 03:36:47 · answer #2 · answered by hontouniungaii 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either in time they will get used to you, or you can try holding a piece of food for her to bite (instead of you) while you pick her up and hold her. Hamsters just bite, especially new ones. After time they might get used to you and let you pick them up, if you don't give up first and just enjoy them from inside their cage, like allot of people have to do. Good Luck!
2006-08-23 03:33:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pick it up by the scruff (loose skin) on its neck. Not for too long or he could choke! Now try handling him firmly but gently, to show him who's boss. Try feeding him a treat, to show you mean no harm. It just might work! PS hamsters usually fight when paired together (Dwarf gets along, mostly). PPS I would go to another pet store to buy your hamsters. First store i went to, the hamsters were mean ones. Second store, he still nibbled, but my friend slept over and trainded him. Now he doesn't bite! (unless i pet his stomach)
2006-08-23 04:28:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters are very prone to biting. If possible, exchange them for pet rats. These - entirely different from the wild variety - animals are highly intelligent, fun, friendly when tame, and most importantly - rarely bite!
2006-08-23 03:33:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
in case you rub the bedding first your hand could have his scent on it which makes him much less afraid.If he nonetheless bites you may rub a comfortable toothbrush on your hand to get your scent and then brush him gently with the toothbrush so he's acquainted with touch does no longer harm.you may try gardening gloves yet you wont experience suitable or grip.supply him a advantages after like he cant bypass interior the ball or out of the cage till hes been stroked or use foodstuff rewards after.
2016-11-05 11:00:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
petsmart here has a thing were if you have a problem with an animal you buy there you can return it if i were you i would take them back and try a diffrent caged animal try a rat despite what people say thay are very clean and for the most part very friendly
2006-08-23 03:34:14 · answer #7 · answered by the ole ball and chain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put a thick glove on your hand, put food on it and put your hand in the cage with the glove on. Once they seem used to eating off your hand with the glove try it with your bare hand (this may take a while) but still don't try to pick them up. Once they seem used to that use your other hand to stroke them while they are eating. Once they are good with that pick the one that seems friendliest and try gently picking him up. Good Luck!!
2006-08-23 03:33:53 · answer #8 · answered by Jemma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you shouldn't when i had one they dont know me as well.just let them get to know you and wash your hands the more you pick them up and love them the more they will stop biting i know
2006-08-23 03:38:07 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bite their ears off like mike tyson
2006-08-23 03:32:11 · answer #10 · answered by DECATSDEAD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋