Ive just bought a pet hamster for my daughter but im really scared about getting him out to hold, has any one got any tips for me??
2007-01-31 21:30:52 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Did you see the store employee handle the animal or was the employee scared of it as well? If the employee was, that's not a good sign. Employees know the temparment of the animals they sell so if they're scared, there's a reason.
If you're nervous at first and don't know if it's a biter or not, then wear some leather gloves the first few times you handle him. You'll know if he's biting the gloves or not. If he does turn out to bite the gloves then you may have a bit of a problem and will have to work harder to tame it. Here's what I suggest you do:
There are two ways to get him out of the cage- 1. Use both your hands (with gloves or not) on both sides of him to scoop him up. 2. Use a large cup or bowl to scoop him out of the cage.
Once he's out of the cage and on your hands, be sure to keep your fingertips away from his mouth. Even the most friendly hamsters will give a curious nibble. Start walking him from hand to hand, putting one hand in front of the other and keep him moving. You can also do a "staircase" in which he is stepping up onto the next hand. Once you're comfortable holding him this way, begin to close the fingers of each hand so that he is now walking through a continuous "tunnel". The tunnel is a very important step in the taming process. It gets the hamster accustomed to being touched on the back while he doesn't feel trapped because he can still keep moving.
Once he's mastered this and you feel comfortable, loosely cup him in your hands, one over the other, much like you would hold a lightening bug. This will keep him loosely confined. He will probably push through your fingers and that's a good thing!
Do all of this over your bed so that if he gets away from you he won't get hurt. Do this a few times a day and he will tame very fast.
-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com
2007-02-01 01:22:59 · answer #1 · answered by radiocricket 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we have 5 hamsters and it is really easy. easiest way is to make sure your hands r clean and do not smell like any food u handled, then in the palm of your hand put a little bit of hamster food, hold it into the cage and then just have patience and let the hamster come to u. there r only a few reasons a hamster would bite. they r nocturnal so if u wake them up and startle it, it will get scared and bite as a defense.
hamsters have poor eyesight. if u handled any food and it can smell it it might mistake your fingerd for food and nibble to get the food, not knowing the diffrence.
they make great animals, specially for kids, only bad thing is they don't live very long, average is about 2 yrs.
i would reccomend buying a book about hamsters to answer any other questions u have. that is what we did and we love having hamsters and have even let our son breed his once. we r def hooked and went from 1 hamster to 3 and now when we see them in the petstore for adoption we made it up to 5....lol.........gl i hope u and the child will have a lot of fun with it
2007-02-01 05:43:46 · answer #2 · answered by germanygirl_us 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some hamsters are a little aggressive, and may nip. Ok, some may bite till there's blood. Syrian hamsters are usually pretty much ok, but the smaller types are the nippy ones. If you have a new hamster, be careful not to alarm or frighten them, because most of the time they only bite out of self defence. And dont prod them when they are sleeping!
For a frightened hamster, during their waking time, place some food on the palms of your hands, and lower them into the cage. Do it consistently, and soon, they will be used to your smell and will climb onto your hands. For the nippy ones, you can use gloves to hold them. The trick is to get them to trust you and that you are not a threat to them.
2007-02-01 06:06:45 · answer #3 · answered by N L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just be slow and gentle so he doesn't get scared. Have her sit somewhere like on a bed so if he gets away or startles her and she drops him, he doesn't fall on the floor. Just put your hand into the cage , pet him a little so he knows you are there, then put your fingers under him and lift him out. She can pet him while you hold him at first, then put him on her lap. Be sure she knows not to squeeze him (holding with 2 hands is best for a small child) because if she hurts him he might nip. Their bites are painful but not serious. But you don't want her to have a bad experience and be afraid of him.
I really prefer rats as a first pet for kids believe it or not. They are not as cute but they are smarter and actually seem to like to be played with. And the only time I have ever been bitten by a rat was when I was messing with some new babies, the mother bit me. I'd bite too if some huge hand came into my nest and tried to steal my babies! Served me right.
2007-02-01 05:45:41 · answer #4 · answered by pat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had pet hamsters before. You need to tame the hamster so he gets used to you. Make sure you keep him fed etc so that he won't bite. My hamster bit my finger a few times drawing blood. Also, be careful where you let the hamster out, my hamster ran away a few times and lived in the sewage system for a few weeks before returning (I set a trap and caught him when he returned for food).
2007-02-01 05:46:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its natural to be a bit nervous if you're not used to handling small animals, but try to remember he is a lot more nervous than you!.
Start off by offering food from your hand, letting him get used to your smell in the process. He will eventually wander into your palm. Once he does this you can try gently stroking him or picking him up. Hamsters aren't overly fond of cuddles in general but can grow to quite enjoy a bit of handling if done regularly enough. Take your time and ease him into it gently.
good luck with your new friend.
2007-02-01 08:53:01 · answer #6 · answered by serephina 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to handle them each day as if you dont he will bite everyone all the time, once you got him out sit down and let him sniff you he will get used to it, but before you do this just keep putting your hand in to let him get used to you if you do this several times a day he will eventually go onto your hand, i bought one for my daughter not the best pet as they like to sleep all day and come out at night, a rabbit is better, and hamsters only live a short time 2 years is a good age then you get the tears, well i shed a tear too as well as my daughter.
good luck
2007-02-01 05:40:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have a pet hamster too. Don't be scared. He won't bite...and if he does it won't really hurt. If you are very scared you could let your daughter wear gloves while holding. Hope this helps you.
2007-02-01 05:41:05 · answer #8 · answered by <ChocoLateZ> 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Bite the bullet, so to speak. The more the hamster is handle the tamer hopefully she will become!
Don't pass your fear to your child!
2007-02-01 06:12:36 · answer #9 · answered by why? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, dont show fear- it is an animal and it will bite! (it can hurt sometimes) just be gentle with it and stroke it with two finge#rs so not to scare it.
its great fun with a hamster!
2007-02-01 05:44:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋