Hamster Help!!!?

Question

I`m gonna get a hamster tommorow(today`s Jan.9)and how do you tame it? What do you first do? And how do you pick it up?Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

Start by choosing a hamster that is used to being handled and then handle it handle it handle it! The easiest way I found to pick up our hamsters without scaring them is to place your hand palm up in front of them and then cup the other hand behind them and gently urge the hamster into the front hand cupping the rear hand over the top to prevent dropping it. Eventually ours got to the point that when you put your hand down in front, they automatically climb on. Move slowly and pet your hamster frequently until they are familiar with your touch and no longer fear you.

This can be difficult with pet store hamsters because so many of them are either not handled at all or are overhandled and mistreated by customers...but with patience and time, your hamster will learn to trust you.

Answer 2

In my experience, males tend to be less aggressive than females so picking a male may help. Pick one that is young as they are easier to tame. Handle the hamster at least twice a day every day, and at least once a day after he is tamed. To start, wash your hands first because they will bite if they smell food on your hands. Then you can wear a pair of rubber gloves( the kind used to wash dishes) to protect yourself from bites. Then pick up the hamster very gently. Some people will suggest that you allow the hamster to sniff you first. I don't recommend this because most likely he will only bite you. Then just hold the hamster and gently stroke him on his head or back. Continue this for about 15 minutes at a time. When you feel confident you can begin to take off the gloves after you use them to pick him up and let him get used to your scent that way. Once he is used to you, you can stop using the gloves altogether and you can let him run up your shoulder and sit on it or sometimes they may just crawl in your shirt pocket. Once they are tamed they make wonderful pets. Good luck with your hamster............................Edit......... What the above respondant said is true about Gerbils. They can and will still bite, but they are easier to tame. If you decide to get a gerbil instead, it is important that you get two(preferably of the same sex unless you want a ton of babies) Unlike hamsters, who should always be kept alone, Gerbils need companionship as they are used to living in packs. Hamsters are solitary animals and will only get aggressive with their cage mates and will even kill each other. Gerbils will get depressed if they are kept by themselves and may be prone to agression. In terms of upkeep and expense having to gerbils is no less work and no more expensive since they are very cheap to care for so it doesn't make sense not to get two if you decide on a gerbil

Answer 3

Make sure you get a hamster that is already sweet. You do not want to try to tame one. If they don't have one that is sweet and does not bite, then find another place. A very young hamster should be sweet. If you have small hands, use both hands and scoop it up. Once it is used to you you can pick it up like a baseball as long as you don't squeeze it very hard.

Get a cage that is easy to clean. They need dry bedding.

Answer 4

Get a gerbil instead.Hamsters tend to be more aggressive than gerbils and bite more often.If you have your heart set on a hamster...sigh....then at least get a male...they tend to be calmer and easier to train and get a baby if possible the younger the better.No bad habits that way.
Have the person at the pet store show you how to pick it up...don't squish it or it will bite to try to get away.....I have found the best way to get them to get used to being handled is to scoop them up in a mug of some sort and give them a treat while they are in the cup to get them used to associating you with good stuff to eat .After a while you should be able to scoop them him up in your hand instead.

Answer 5

Well I always found start off by placing its cage in a quiet location and try not to startle it. then start by giving it food by hand as well as in its food bowl, it will get used to your smell and then you can start to handle it! I always found its best to let the hamster get on your hand maybe if cage has a way out like a door you could open that and place you hand near? talk to it all the time but very gently.
there are probably all sorts of ways to achieve tameness but this works for me!

Answer 6

You don't want to get a hamster that runs from you because it will end up biting someone. You always want to hold them to keep them used to being held. Remember that hamsters sleep during the day and play at night. That might help you make a decision also.

Answer 7

I'VE HAD 2~~ they all come with these cool books that tell you everthing about them. You can pick them up with your pointed finger and yout thumb, first you might wanna put yur hand in the cage so that it can smell and know your sent, then try to let it get in your hand on its own, and go from there

Answer 8

my daughter has 2 now..when we got hamlet, all we did was bring him home, put him in his new cage, let him get use to it, well, she didnt keep him in it for very long, and the main thing to do is show it tons of attention..get yourself a book on how to care for hamsters..that was the best thing we did..hamlet is now going on 4 and getting around pretty slowly, but he still has lots of energy..twinki on the other hand is still a baby, i got her from a friend that didnt have time to deal with her..they need attention..and a lot of it..when they are sleeping, wake them up..and hold them, even if they go back to sleep..its a great bonding period with your pet..i hope some of this helped you..good luck with your new pet..

Answer 9

be gentle & patient & pick on personality, not color!!

Answer 10

Please don't get a hamster.
Get a dog, cat, horse, cow, or if you
HAVE to cage something get a lizard,
snake, or spider. But PLEASE don't torture
another mammal by caging it up! PLEASE!
It's very cruel.