well.. about a week ago we got a hampster(early christmas present) and the third day i got it out and it kind of sniffed my hand and then got more confident. but then it started sniffing at the end of my finger and then bit me realy hard. now every time i get it out it plays around and then starts sniffing at the end of my finger and biting me again!!! i am concerned for the children what if they pick her up and she bites them? any advise?
2006-12-02 00:23:27 · 17 answers · asked by Hannah [x] 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I think you're quite lucky your hammie lets you pick her up at all...
Ours is quite friendly and familiar so long as we don't try to pick him up so we just respect that - I suppose if I was his size (dwarf russian), I wouldn't be too keen on being petted by a giant owner, no matter how well-meaning...
As a parent and teacher, I don't recommend hamsters for children to pick up and play with anyway -too many risks on both sides!
But they are brilliant to observe when they are awake, early morning and late night (another reason why they're not so good for younger children).
As they are quite low maintenance, they are ideal to learn to take responsibilities as a young pet-owner.
I think the advice you got from some people is quite relevant -r.e. fingers that looks/smell like food. But honestly, the rubbish some others are prepared to dish out is incredible...
Keep your hamster, you obviously chose her for a reason. It'll take a bit of time to get used to each other and to learn what can/can't be done, then I'm sure you'll enjoy owning this pet as much as any other.
Just a thought: a transparent sphere may help. The hamster feels safe in it and gets lots of exercise.
You can hold the sphere safely and the children can then have a close look at their pet without getting a bite or risking harming her.
Ours feels so safe in his, he comes rolling under our feet and even goes up to the cat (who has his own reasons for being so keen on this new friendship...)
It only costs a few pounds from the pet shop and is well worth it.
2006-12-02 03:36:29 · answer #1 · answered by Nini 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not all hamsters bite! The advice the pet shop owner gave me is let your hamster settle in and handle gently and not too often. This gives your hamster a chance to get to know you. Wash your hands as others have said before and after handling your hamster. Our hamster has only bitten once - and that was when my eldest son put his hand inside the cage to clap him........ while he was eating! Children should be supervised with all pets but since hamsters are nocturnal your children probably won't see that much of her anyway.
2006-12-02 08:47:39 · answer #2 · answered by Lost and found 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The big hamsters are fine, but if it's a small one they're a nightmare. When I was little my big white cuddly one died and I got a little russian dwarf thing cos I thought it was cute. Oh my god, how wrong was I!! We couldn't even play with it cos it bit so hard. everytime we touched it!! and if it got away it was so fast!! That thing never stopped biting and after a couple of years we gave it away cos the whole thing was pointless. GET A NEW ONE!!
2006-12-02 08:33:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a kind of defence mechnism 4 the hamster..the kindest and easiest way 2 pick him up is by the scruff of the neck..next time you go his cage just give him a treat let him take it and the leave him..continue with this for a few weeks and he should b calmer tho when hamsters hang on they really hang on and dont let go i used to work in a petshop and i got bit really bad and the s o d wouldnt let go so i am now scared of them but coz i hd to continue handling them at work my fear of them got worse and found the safest and easiest way was the scruff of the neck
2006-12-03 17:38:05 · answer #4 · answered by greyhound mummy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try wearing gloves until the hamster is more used to it's environment. It may also be helpful to research what another hamster would do if it was bitten, that's how you train rabbits not to bite.
2006-12-03 03:37:22 · answer #5 · answered by amonkeydance 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I have hamsters and they don't bit me, that's because they're used to me, you have to give it time to get to know you. Like touch it more but it might not like you holding it just yet. Try giving it treats too. And also, it will bit if it doesn't like the scent on your hand. So wash them before you play with it.
2006-12-02 08:32:29 · answer #6 · answered by bbnicole104 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash your hands - they can smell food on you and are trying to eat it
Like kids they will grow out of the biting stage
2006-12-02 08:31:15 · answer #7 · answered by cool_clearwater 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a cat and let the cat play with the hamster. This will prevent the hamster from biting the children.
2006-12-02 08:26:19 · answer #8 · answered by bubbles_grandpa 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs all bite a bit when you first get them. They are getting to know you. They need to be handled gently and fairly infrequently at first until they get comfortable and mature a little.
2006-12-02 08:32:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a MYTH that hampsters are *good pets*.. they HAVE TEETH, and they DO BITE, as you have noticed. Please get rid of the hampster! Hapsters are a lot of work because you have to change their sawdust bedding,, so if you are willing to go through all that trouble, you might as well get a dog(they are lots of trouble too)..or maybe get a cat(have it declawed and neutered).
Good Luck Hun.
2006-12-02 08:26:21 · answer #10 · answered by Daft One 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋