how do i get my hamster to like me?

Question

She gets so scared when i coem near her. i hold her sometimes but i get scared to please help

Answer 1

I am a show hamster breeder. I have over 100 hamsters and over 1,000 pups a year. Below is the method that I use to tame them.

You need to start holding your hamster a couple times each day. If you can't get it out of the cage with your hands, then get it into a toilet paper roll and then dump it (carefully) 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 it manages to jump off your hand you can catch it more easily and it won't get hurt. 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 is a very important step and 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 (and you) accustomed to the "exercise". You'll be able to see the difference when the hamster is tame. It will slow down while it walks from hand to hand and may stop to smell you. An untame hamster will keep moving from hand to hand and very fast.

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.

If you don't think you're ready for the above method, then 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. To get it out of the cage use a toilet paper roll and get him to go inside (as described above). As soon as he's in the roll all the way, bring it into the tub and set it on the floor of the tub and wait for him to come out. Do this until he seems more comfortable with you and then begin the methods of hand-walking described above.

I've never liked the recommendations to use treats to tame a hamster. Even if you wash your hands before holding the treat, as soon as you touch the treat with your fingers, they will smell like food again. A hamster that confuses your fingers for food will not bite hard but nibble. Nibbling doesn't break the skin, but I still don't like it.

-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com

Answer 2

Hamsters are fascinating little critters. They may be jumpy, or they may be friendly. In your case I'd say that your hammy is jumpy. You need to slowly get your scent in her system. The best way for a hamster to get to know you is to rub the wood shaving in the hands and leave it there, that way your scent is in her cage. She'll get to know you and she might not be as scared. Also, in the pet store before you got her, maybe the other hamsters hurt her or treated her bad, so she might be scared that you are going to do the same. Give her time. If she comes near her cage door, open the cage and put your fingers in for her to sniff around. Take her out more often, let her play on your bed (your scent is there), in no time, she'll get used to you and will play. Remember, hamsters are nocturnal, so they sleep in the day and play during the night. I hope I helped! Good Luck!

Answer 3

You said that you hold her "sometimes." This is the problem. When you have a pet and you want them to be tame and friendly, you must earn their love. You should start by spending more time with your hamster.....holding it, petting it, hand-feeding it, anything. Give it more playtime outside of its cage while you are there. THese things will help build trust between your hamster and you. Hold her more often and she will start getting used to you and she will know you arent there to hurt her. Slowly lay your hand flat in her card with food on it and let her walk on you to go to the food.

Answer 4

Leave her alone and don't try to pick her up while she's in the cage. And start going near the cage and gently talking and cooing to her, like you would to a baby. Saying, 'whos a good little hamster, hey?' and just talk to her and say she's gorgeous and keep cooing because hamsters like that tone of voice. Then, when it comes to change the cage, use two fingers to gently stroke her fur. If she runs away from you, leave the cage door open and talk to her again, she'll calm down. Then get a ball or something and open it and put it next to her, so she can jump in - NEVER force her to jump in it as you will still scare her even more. Hamsters can die of shock you know!
Also, when you're picking her up, never squeeze her - she'll choke, and when she's sat on your lap or something, gently stroke her then let her go back to the cage, don't let her run around alot because she'll try to escape out of her cage if you leave her alone - and you don't want to worry yur self like tha

Answer 5

No perfumes,scented soap. Put your gym socks under her bed. Let her be hungry in the day and feed her by hand when your home. Tear fresh grass with your hands and don't be afraid of her bite, she doesn't like meat. Her fear is normal survival instincts. Also keep the lights dim or curtins closed. Good luck!

Answer 6

Ask Richard Gere. He has a way with hamsters and gerbils I hear.

Answer 7

Rub some of her bedding on your hands. It works for me. You don't smell that human and if you play with in the evening or at night she is sure to want to play with you.

Answer 8

hamsters are not very social, they just dont like people in general.

Answer 9

You can't, hamsters are perpetually crabby.

Answer 10

You may not be likable.