Now my hamster is biting me. Oh my gosh, I don't know what to do. Suggestions?

Question

I may have purchases a defective hamster. I don't like a hamster that bites me.

Thanks, Ashley. This behavior is very recent.

Answer 1

You didn't mention what kind of hamster you have. There are 5 species of hamsters commonly kept as pets: Syrian, Campbells Russian Dwarf, Winter White Russian Dwarf, Roborovski Dwarf and Chinese. Campbells tend to be territorial and may bite when you put your hand into the cage.

More and more pet store animals are beginning to demonstrate temperament problems due to the nature that commercial breeders are breeding them. Here's the scenario: the commercial breeder needs to send some more hamsters to their client, the pet store. He goes to the cage with hamster pups and starts to take them out. One hamsters bites him hard several times. The commercial breeder knows the pet store will complain if they receive this biting hamster so he doesn't send it. What does he do with the biting hamster? He could kill it or if it's a female, he'll use her to breed more hamsters. So he's actually selecting the meanest hamsters to breed from! Over several generations, the temperament of a line can completely shift. Other breeders and I are concerned that hamsters are beginning to get a bad reputation as biters.

It's not a lost cause with your new friend because you bought it at the pet store, you may just have to work harder because of its genetically determined temperament. It may always be a bit persnickity but if you stop working with it altogether, it will get harder to handle when you need to change its cage.

You need to start holding it a couple times each day. If you can't get it out of the cage, then get it into a toilet paper roll and then dump (carefully) it into your hand. Begin walking it from hand to hand, one in front of the other. You can also make it an unending "staircase". If you keep it moving you probably won't get bit. Do this over your bed so that if ite manages to jump off your hand you can catch it. Once you're comfortable handling your hamster in this fashion, begin to closing your fingers as it's walking from hand to hand so that it's now moving through an unending "tunnel". This will get the hamster accustomed to being held and touched on its back. These sessions only need to last five minutes but you need to do them at least twice a day, preferably more. If you're scared of doing this at first, then wear a pair of thick leather gloves to get it accustomed to the "exercise".

If you have a ball that you want it to roll around on the floor in, work with the hamster before putting it in the ball. You may think that it will be more tired and easier to work with after having some exercise but it will be more excited and actually harder to work with.

Your hamster may never be easy to handle and you will have to recognize it as it's individuality.

If this sounds like more work than you're willing to do, then take it back to the pet store and get another one. Be sure to hold the new one in the store before bringing it home to be sure it doesn't bite. Watch the employees as they get the hamster out too. If the employee is scared, then there's a reason. They know the temparments of the animals they sell. If they are scared, try another store.

-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com

Answer 2

Hamsters like most rodents will bite when certain scents are detected. For example, if you pet your dog and try to pick up your hamster, or a smell of a dish soap etc. Try washing your hands and rinse them. This usually corrects the problem until they become more familiar with the other pet or household smells.

Sometimes, if you are holding them, you may not realize you are twisting a toe, squeezing hem too hard, etc.

Try putting your hamster into your shirt and petting him. Be sure you have not handeled food or veggies or have pet the dog. After a while your hamster will realize you mean him no harm and he will become familar with your "smell" as well.

Answer 3

have you been picking and handling it correctly? if so here are a few pointers that might help.

1. use a glove handling your hamster while attempting to getting it to learn that you are its friend not the enemy.
2. if not using a glove wash your hands throughly to make sure it dont smell something like a meat sandwich or snack of some sort it just might be thinking of food and bite you. because it smells it on your hands.
3. work with your hamster let it be around you as much as possible im sure it will soon be your buddy and believe me they are fun and adorable.
4. never ever wash your hamster that is a bad think it takes away certian oils and damages its skin i seen this on some internet site. let it clean its self.

Answer 4

Some Hamsters take awhile to get use to you. If you're not wanting to take the time to get the Hamster use to you then it's probably better to return it and get another one.

Answer 5

Leave it alone for a while. He's probably annoyed. If it continues, don't pick it up with your bare hands, use a wash cloth and keep your fingers away from it's mouth. Also don't handle it's food and then pick it up, it then thinks you are food. Hamsters aren't the smartest animals in the world.

Answer 6

This hamster Is very scared and weary of anything that touches it give him a few days and slowly start to hand feed him and start taking him out at the same time of day for traing seesions sounds dumb but it worked for me and now iam So glad I didn"t return it! please keep your hamster train him well he will get affectionate!

Answer 7

when i first got my hamster it bit me 2.i would suggest taking it out each day and letting it smell your hand like u do with dogs,that is how i got mine to stop biting me.

Answer 8

What? A Hamster that bites?? You got to be kidding!! A hamster is a rodent like a rat, or a gerbil! Of course they bite!! Duh!! Try getting a guinie pig next time if you don't like getting bit.

Answer 9

My sons hamster bit me also, I don't like hamsters anymore.

Answer 10

that's their nature... hamster really bite. i suggest you to give them proper foods and caress them during your free time. they need to get with the smell of your hands and feel that they are safe with you...