How do you pick up a hamster ?

Question

I BOUGHT ONE FOR MY DAUGHTER AND HE JUST RUNS LIKE MAD WHEN I TRY TO PICK IT UP. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE LITTLE THING TO BE MORE CALM.

Answer 1

Support all it's legs and place it on your arm or where ever you fee safe

Answer 2

Although its possible that ur hamster may become better in time, remember that all hamsters r different. My hamster is perfectly happy to take food from me and will happily run along my hands and arms but as soon as any1 tries 2 scoop it up in their hands (whilst not being aggressive) she won't have it! She's about 6 months now and is handld daily, good health, etc. Therefore urs might just not appreciate being handled in a certain way - try letting it walk onto ur hand of its own accord and then at least u can transport it and pet it without too much bother.

Answer 3

Before you feed him/her it's gagging for it so put some food in your hand, it will come over and hop on. Don't pick it up yet! Do this every day for a week. After the week lay your hand down on the bottom of the cage without food and it will hop on, cradle your hands and gentally lift. And WALA you've lifted your Hamster. After that they will love being lifted and it will become a healthy part of it's and your day. Love Ya.

Answer 4

Take your time. Hamsters will learn to trust you - talk to it ,hand feed it a little treat, then stroke it in the cage when used to you. Then carefully pick it up by cupping your hand round its body - gently pick it up in the cage and let it go - gradually it will trust you.

and yes hamster bites are VERY painful! Don't hand feed juicy fruit pieces as the hamster may bite your fingers innocently as I have found out!

Answer 5

You pick it up by the loose skin at the back of the neck and shoulders. Using your thumb and forefinger. This is not painful for the hamster. And I never heard about eyes popping out before, so cannot comment on this. Sounds like an urban legend to me. Hamsters carry EACH OTHER like this ( they carry their young by the neck) so what does that tell you.

Any other way of picking it up, will allow it to bite you and their bites can be ferocious in the extreme. You do NOT want to get bitten by a hamster, believe me.


They need to be handled regularly,, then they get nice and tame, they like being handled actually. If they don't get handled ENOUGH when they are young, they turn into nasty adults.

Answer 6

Put a small piece of cheese in the bucket of a JCB. It might take a few hours to entice him on but eventually he'll fall for the trap and jump on board. Works every time, you won't get bitten and its hamster-friendly.

Answer 7

How Do You Pick Up A Hamster ?

Well dress smart, wear some perfume or aftershave, head down to your local bar - treat it to a few drinks & then hey presto you have pulled !

Answer 8

DON'T pick it up by the scruff of the neck as it's eyes might pop out (no joke)Let it get used to you first by hand-feeding it some treats and getting used to your scent.As for the person that said hamster bites don't hurt,THEY HURT LIKE HELL!Once he's got used to you just put your hand flat on his level and he'll climb on.

Answer 9

temp him to you by using a a bit of fruit and then pick it up by the scruff of his neck (he will go still) and then put him straight in your hands or he will get too stressed if left dangling. - you get him used to being handled first because he will probably nip and your child is more likely to drop him when he does this than you.

Answer 10

Get him use to your hand. Put a glove on and just wait for him to come to you. Don't chase him around. He'll eventually climb right on your hand and then you can just pick him up.

Answer 11

There's some great tips on this site. Use slow movements and pick him up securely round his middle then rest him on your palm.