How do i get use to my hamster?

Question

I got a hamster on monday and i havent got use to it when i pick it up i think im squeezing it and its fiddly to new smells it sniffs and its use to my cousin because she put it on her shoulder and stroked it and my mum said if i dont get use to it then shes giving it away is always in the cage so please help me PLEASE

Answer 1

If you're nervous getting it out of its cage, then get it into an empty 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 (which you're probably scared of- and that's okay). Do this over your bed so that if it 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 and get you used to holding the hamster loosely. 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 both you and the hamster accustomed to the "exercise".

If the instructions above seem overwhelming to you at this point there's another method you can try. Sit in an empty bathtub with the drain blocked so there's no escape and let your new friend climb all over you. This is an easy way for your new friend to get used to your scent and presence. Bring the cage into the bathroom before you start trying to get him out and you can use an empty toilet paper roll as mentioned above. As soon as it's in the roll all the way, bring the hamster and roll into the tub with you. Just lay the roll down on the tub floor and wait for him to come out. Do this until you're more comfortable with it then begin the methods of hand-walking described above.

I don't like any of the training techniques that use treats. Most people will say to wash your hands so they don't smell like food and then to offer the hamster a treat. Just holding the treat will make your hand smell like food. You may get a curious nibble that doesn't break the skin, but even I don't like those.

-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com

Answer 2

Sounds like you may also have a small fear of it too. To pick it up, let it climb into your hand or scoop it up around it's body and bring it against to you. Make sure and keep it cupped in both your hands. Talk gently to it, they respond to the tone of your voice. Never throw it if it bites, quickly but gently put it back in the cage. Also another way is to ask your cousin to place it in your hands and show you the way to hold it. Someone showing you is so much easier then one of us trying to tell you how to hold your hamster. What kind did you get? A Syrian is the easiest to handle, they also bite the least. How old is your hamster? If it's real young, under 4 months, I can see your hesitation to hold it. Your mom need to give you and your hamster at least a month to get used to each other. We used to breed hamsters, both Syrians and Russian dwarfs. Now we just raise them. Don't worry and keep relaxed while attempting or holding it. If you're not, it will sense it.

Answer 3

What i love to do is put a dab of yogurt (but definitely not the florescent gogurt kind, anything that has natural flavors or plain only) on my finger, and my hamster licks it off! Too cute and she may start to like you and get use to you scent that why, I did that with several hamsters before and all of them knew to lick not bite my finger :)

Answer 4

First of all, be calm and relaxed around the lil critter. Remember hamsters, as well as all animals, can sense stress. If it helps, his eyes will bulge if you squeeze him to hard (my neice, 3, helped herself to a hamster out my cage, Ill never forget her poor little face,eyes bulging. Needless to say she doesnt like my neice anymore)
Hamster will sniff, because due to poor eyesight, very poor eyesight, they rely on their sense of smell, and they can usually make a good inventory mentaly of any food you have picked up prior to handling them. (I learnt not to touch food before one of my hamsters, Trinny, 1st she sniffs, then she licks, then she tries to POUCH your finger). Also they use their whisker the same way a cat does,to feel whats around them.
Handle your hamster as often as poss durning the evening,talk to it gently,and watch it, you will soon learn to develop a bond.
The 1st hamster I ever got is my fave. He is called Obi. When I go into my room where he is, I say hello, and if he is awake, he will come to the cage door,I open it, he climbs up my arm onto my shoulder and sits there like a bird.
Also here is a good fact..................................... FOOD IS THE WAY TO ANY ANIMALS HEART if all else fails.

Answer 5

just keep picking it up, count to five, then put it back down. and when ur giong to pick it up, never just snatch it off its feet, let hand linger for a few seconds in front of its nose so it can smell u and be aware that something foreign is there first before you pick it up. and don't worry about how to pick it up, just reach uder its belly and lift it off quickly and put it into the palm of your other hand. and dont' squeeze, ever.

Answer 6

You need to get used to picking your hamster up otherwise it won't get tame. Pick it up gently and hold it so that it's bottom and back legs are supported gently in your hand. Stroke its head and back very gently also and talk to it so that he/she knows your voice. Offer it bits of hamster food. It needs love and looking after to be enjoyed.

Answer 7

the best way to get used to your hamster is to handle it as much as possible. if you feel it might bite you then use gloves until your comfortable and ready to handle it. if you handle it enough it will get used to you and wont try and run out of your hands and wont mind bein picked up out of its cage. hope this helps.

Answer 8

Hiya, Just keep picking up your hamster, or tickling his head try and feed him off your hand, my hamster loves eating fruit from my hand, the more you handle him the more he will get used to you.

Answer 9

If you really want to keep the hamster then spend more time with it and don't be nervous. Talk to it and see if that helps.

Answer 10

you could try rubbing your hands in its bedding before picking it up then it wont be so frightened of the different smells. be gentle and handle it lots for short periods of time.