New hamster not used to being handled. Help?

Question

I have recently bought a new hamster from a good pet store. He's very healthy and seems happy in his new home. He's never been handled by anyone but the pet store owner. I've been giving him peices of apple and he now eats from my hand and i've just been petting his back. He no longer squeals, but i'm wondering if i'm taming him right. Is this good? Thanks.

Answer 1

Yep thats fine. It'll take some time and persistance but he'll come around. I bought a hamster that wasn't handled at all and every time I'd pick him up he'd squeal like I was murdering him (I was being VERY gentle with him). Just keep offering him treats, petting him, talk gently to him so he gets used to the sound of your voice, etc. Try to hold him if you can but DONT try to "surprise" him and grab him while he's asleep. You could end up with a nasty bite. (can you blame him though? I'd bite too if someone grabbed me while I was sleeping). Hamsters have bad eyesight so before you try to pick him up, talk to him so he knows you're there, then make sure you're gentle when you handle him. And if he bites, dont freak out, and dont put him back (easier said than done, I know) He'll learn that all he has to do is bite you and you'll put him back.

If you keep it up, and remain patient but persistant with him, you'll have a lil hammy who begs at the door to get out every time you come in the room. Good luck!

Answer 2

This is a good start, you've done quite good. It's just not when the hamster is comfortable with you, it's when your comfortable with him. The hamster can sense your apprehension in picking him up. Once you're more ready, take a piece of apple and put it on your hand where the hamster has to climb onto your hand to get it, take your other hand and place over him like as to cup him. See how his reaction is, he may be a bit scared. We're working with 3 Syrian 4 week old babies, a 6 week old Syrian baby, and a 5-6 week old baby gerbil on being handled (all were rescues). The Syrians will be going to new homes later, but the gerbil we're keeping. My adult son (main tamer) got bit by the gerbil and she drew blood. My family runs a small, small animal rescue for injured, unwanted, biting, or any reason owner can't keep them. We take them in, tame those that need it, my 17 yr old is the groomer. Her last case was an angora mix rabbit with 4" mats that couldn't move his legs to hop.

Just keep up the good work, you're on the right track.

Answer 3

Okay listen here. It depends on the type of hamster you got.

If you got a regular hamster like a teddy bear or whatever yes your doing great. i suggest doing that but put it up more in your palm so when he gets it he must climb all the way up and get on. He will start to eat it on ur hand. You can lift him up a couple of inches hold him then for a couple of seconds and take him back down. Do this until he gets use to it.

If you have a dwarf. Im afraid thats all he will ever let you do. I have a dwarf. When i first got him i didnt know that and i was pretty upset when i found out but i still love him i watch him play and let him eat out of my hand. occationally i can lift him up a couple of inches too and i pet him all the time. But they are fast and if you dont want ur hammie escapeing i suggest not trying to hold him.

Good luck and i hope i helped a little!!

=]

Answer 4

I have a little hamster experience.

I read up and followed the advise that stated to let the hamster adjust to new home the first day, and after that gently handle, increasing the time as you do it.

This worked great for my first 2 hamsters- we were able to pick them up and cuddle them, and they would crawl over us etc,

My current hamster we have had for a year, we have done the exact same thing, but she is shy. She takes food from my hands, and allowed me to pet her head now and then, but other than that avoids contact.

Maybe they have little personalities too?

Answer 5

hi :) i've got helped a marvelous type of puppy proprietors with this concern by the years, and that's super for dwarf (any of the 4 breeds) or Syrian (aka Teddy undergo, Golden, etc)! notwithstanding in the event that they have come from ignore situations, i haven't had this fail - and that i've got rescued over 50 hamsters :) a million. Wash your hands carefully with a non-fruity or heavily scented cleansing soap - this might save them from wanting to style, and in all risk chunk your hand. attempt to no longer positioned on gloves, the hamster is only no longer waiting to get used on your organic heady scent, and that is extreme that your hamster is familiar with YOU and feels risk-free! 2. never attain into the hamster cage. Hamsters are extremely preserving of their residences and could attempt to safeguard them. 3. carry a small cup or bowl in front of the cage door with a yummy cope with in it - the hamster will pass slowly in exceptionally much each and each time. 4. Slide the lil guy out of the cup/bowl into your hand - and voila! you're retaining your hamster and have not been bitten! be careful as they are going to be slightly skittish (and dwarfs are little velocity demons so it could attempt to run up your arm). of course you will have the prefer to make specific to be better gentle as they're nevertheless animals and would chunk while they get scared :) as quickly as your hamster gets greater familiar with you and how you scent, you would be waiting to bypass step 3 and that they are going to pass slowly correct into your hand. ultimate of success - and have endurance

Answer 6

You are doing it right.
That's what I did to train my hamster to be nice.
Every day I would pick her up for about 2 minutes.
If she bit me, I would just put her back in the cage without a treat.
If she didn't bite me, then I would reward her with a treat.
She quickly learned that if she was nice, she would be treated really well.
I still do that with her, and sometimes I just hold her in my hand and hold a treat for her to nibble on.
Now she rarely bites me.

Answer 7

Your doing great, he seems to really love you. It seems like you are taking it at a nice slow and perfect pace. And i always recommend food...as long as it is healthy, after all the quickest way to a hamsters heart is food. LOL.

Answer 8

Yep. The more you handle him, the more he'll become used to it. Just make sure you don't injure him while handling him and you'll do fine. :)

Answer 9

So far, so good. It's exactly the way I do it when I get a new rodent (my choice is rats, though.)