OK as some of you know I have a new hamster which I only got yesterday. I have fed him treats through the bars and from my fingers inside the cage. Each way my little Timmy accepted it, very gently.
I don't know if he's ready yet but I would like to know how to handle/tame him. Where should I begin and what positions, etc so I hold him in?
Also is there anything I should do before taking him out of the cage. I appreciate and I am very grateful for all answers. Best answer will get 5 stars and positive feedback and a thumbs up vote. Thank you!
2006-10-26 05:20:04 · 26 answers · asked by FuturisticKid 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
If he is easily accepting treats through that bar, next put your hand in the cage. Just put it in there--don't try to pick him up. How does he react? If he seem ok with it (doesn't run or shy away), you can try to touch him. If he does seem fearful, just leave your hand in the cage for a little bit. You can give him treats, but just let him get used to your hand. After you can establish a level of comfort with that, then you can move on to touching him. Do the same thing as you touch him. Gently pet him with a finger, give him treats, and repeat until he is comfortable with this behavior. Continue in this pattern until you are able to pick him up and take him out of the cage. This probably won't take very long at all (it could even be completed in a day or two).
2006-10-26 05:30:30 · answer #1 · answered by Stephanie H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK the first thing to do will sound weird but it helps.Wear an old pair of socks you DON'T want anymore for a day and then take them off and put 1 in her cage and throw away the other.This will get her used to thinking that your scent doesn't pose a threat.This is important because hamster eyesight is not that great. Then wait 2 days (leaving her with the sock)then when she is awake and not eating or grooming put some sunflower seeds on your palm and put your hand in the cage.She may nibble your fingers but will not bite hard-nibbling is her way of seeing what you are.Let her take the seeds but don't try and lift her out or pet her. Repeat that once or twice a day for 2 or 3 days,then try and gently stroke her with a finger while she is near your hand.Do that for a couple of days then assuming she doesn't run,gently put both hands side by side with her in the middle and slowly lift her out,sit down and stroke her with 1 hand for a minute then put her back,repeat this over several days or a week slowly increasing how long you have her out for. Eventually she will be totally relaxed with you.The key is patience.
2016-05-21 22:24:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest moving slowly. Give your hamster at least a few days in his new invironment before trying to handle him. Let him get used to your smell, hands, etc before trying to pick him up. Giving treats is a great idea. Try no to pick him up while he is asleep or right after he has woke up. My experience is that they are MOST likely to bite if handled at this time. Hold him firmly but gently, and go slow. If your hamster just seems very aggressive when you try to pick him up( they can be very territorial) , try picking him up with a cup, just scooping him into it gently, and then placing him in your hand from there. Always hold your hamster over something soft, as they can suddenly jump out of your hands, which can result in injury or death. All hamsters have different personalities like people. Some just do not tolerate handling much. HTH
2006-10-26 05:29:42 · answer #3 · answered by PennyPickles17 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It Easy
The best way is to handle the hamster as much as you can. Holding the hamster by letting it run onto your hand or cupp your hand around it. There a great pet to have. Oh yes i remember you now just as i was reading your hamster name Timmy, hope you two get on a treat. You will do well with Timmy Good Luck Zarrion
2006-10-26 05:29:31 · answer #4 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From your first paragraph, I'd say you are already doing the right thing. Just take your time and go at Timmy's pace. Cup him gently in the palm of your hand when he is confident in you handling him.
Before taking him out of his cage, make sure there are no other pets which could attack him. Also, close the door.
Remember, hamsters are nocturnal, so will not appreciate any fuss during the day.
2006-10-26 05:34:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are doing the right thing by offering treats to start with. Most animal recognise by sound and smell. Keep talking to him and put your hand in his cage to allow him to sniff you. Do this for a few days, as he needs to settle in with you and your surroundings.
Once he starts to accept you confidently you can put your hand flat in the cage. Get him used to being stroked first. He may just climb onto your hand and you can gently lift him out. If he doesn't do this, but seems relaxed, pick him up gently and put your hand underneath to support him with your other hand lightly cupped around him. He will probably try to move around, as it will be exciting for him, so use your hands as stepping stones and let him climb down. Make sure you are sitting on the floor, or can handle him over a safe area such as your lap, or a bed - that way he wont be injured if he falls or jumps.
I don't recommend you let him loose, as you will spend ages trying to catch him! Put him in a play-ball and let him use it for a few minutes at a time and he will see the benefits of the 'freedom' this gives him. Remember that hamsters have their own personalities, and each one will take their own time to get used to you and handling.
2006-10-26 07:29:04 · answer #6 · answered by debzc 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, hamsters are great pets because really they can look after them selves just as long as you clean them out and give them fresh water everyday!!!
Training hamsters is easy!
1: Potty Training!!!
Get a potty designed for hamsters. Wherever little Timmy poops scoop it up and but it in the potty and place the potty where he normally poops! HEY PRESTO! He's now potty trained but give it a while!!!
2: Holding Your Hamster!!!
You should always hold little Timmy with cuped hands and if you have only just got him or have never taken him out of his cage then keep him close to the floor because he will jump around!
3: Fun!!!
Having fun with hamsters is easy!!! Like potty training!!! Get a ball and you can buy tracks and you can have ours of fun!!! Tubes and toilet roll and mazies are also great ideas!
4: Treats!!!
Just keep to your normal routine of how you feed him treats!!
Has this helped if it's not then....o well my loss!
2006-10-26 07:16:07 · answer #7 · answered by // Smile___bb** ツ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Training any animal takes time & patience - it is also best to try and do it by positive encouragement rather than reprimanding.
This is best done by offering treats of food from the hand, so that the hamster eventually learns not to be frightened of you. It is best to use his regular dried food, but occasional treats of fruit or nuts may be taken more eagerly. If you persist, and get him to take food from your fingers, he will begin to associate you with good things happening (FOOD!) and you may be able to get him to walk onto your hand to take food. All this takes time, and some individuals are more difficult to tame than others.
A tame hamster is also much easier to deal with at the vets if treatment is needed!
2006-10-26 05:23:31 · answer #8 · answered by richard_beckham2001 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Let the hamster sniff your hands, so he gets used to your own smell and after a couple of days he should climb onto your hand. Strong smelling food such as cheese is very tempting to hamsters so offer him a little bit on your hand and he might take it. Also keep big animals such as cats and dogs out of the room at first, as they are very scary to hamsters whenthe hamster first encounters one!
2006-10-26 08:26:15 · answer #9 · answered by moira8165 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The younger he is the easier it should be. Lift up the top part of his cage so that you can place your hand right next to him, and put a tiny piece of food in the middle of your palm while keeping your hand flat, he should climb onto your hand.
Once he gets on, lift your hand and then allow him to walk on your hand, climb onto your other hand etc.
Sometimes you get one that is quite stubborn, then just catch him, as soon as they realise you are not going to hurt them they become tame.
2006-10-26 05:36:25 · answer #10 · answered by larapienaar 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋