the hamsters run away from us and don't want to be bothered by people. is there a way to make them not so scared of me and the kids? They seem like they want to be held until I take the lid off of their aqaurium.
2007-05-11 14:50:44 · 11 answers · asked by wrong12ask 2 in Pets ➔ Rodents
Hamsters are solitary animals and should be socialized long before ever being purchased. That is why we only purchase home-raised hamsters for our store. It is no fun having a hamster that runs away or bites and screeches every time a person gets near. Young hamsters are about the size of an egg at about 6 weeks. Put the hamster in a box and stroke a little every day. Put a little treat in the box as well so the hamster associates food with handling.
2007-05-11 20:50:59 · answer #1 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to take them out and just hold them. They may continue to behave this way until the become used to you. Start by offering a piece of food as a treat You can hold them at first in the cage to gain confidence and their trust.
By the way, what kind of hamsters do you have if they are Syrians, they need to housed in their each cage or they will fight over time causing injuries or death to one or both. It doesn't matter if they are a pair or same sex. If they are dwarfs then they should be alright housed together, usually they won't fight unless one is older then the older. Also with dwarfs they can't be fed any corn, peas, carrots, fruits, or commercial treats. These all are high in sugar and contribute to a dwarf getting diabetes. Also watch it on the nuts and sunflower seeds they are high in fat which leads to obesity and diabetes as well. And never give any hamster almonds, they are poison to them and the almonds will kill them. They contain cyanide in them.
2007-05-11 15:10:05 · answer #2 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Housing them in an aquarium might be causing the problem. You will be approaching them from above. and hamsters see this as a sign of attack. A wired cage or a rota stack cage will have doors to allow them to climb out onto your hand.
Hamsters are partially blind and sensitive little souls! they rely on smell and sound to react to you and get to know you. If you are going to take them out then speak to them in a soft gentle voice so they are aware you are there, and bribe them with treats from your hand.... you cant go wrong there!
2007-05-11 21:04:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, hamsters are solitary animals, and they're are VERY FEW breeds that like to be handled. (whoever said "hamsters are social" lacks facts.) gerbils are the social ones, but anyway, with most rodents handling them everyday gets them used to you, but with my experience with hamsters, they never liked to be held.
This is because, hamsters are nocturnal, so they sleep in the day. are you waking them up? this makes them cranky, which means they bite and avoid you.
how long have you had them? maybe they aren't used to you and your family yet, but just gradually work at it, and try your best to handle them as much as possible, but atleast you do have rats, and they like attention, so when the hamsters won't let you hold them, play with your rats!
i hope this helps!!!
2007-05-11 16:26:49 · answer #4 · answered by carpetsharks 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup, your rat loves you and missed you. Our rat is waiting at the bars of his cage when I come to take him out to play every day. He is sitting with me now snuggled between my side and the arm of the recliner! We never leave him when we go away. He either comes with us or goes to a friend's house so he has someone to play with him.
2016-05-21 00:46:56 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I owned a hamster, he wasn't exactly fond of being held. He loved being out of his cage, and hanging around, but the whole picking up concept scared him.
I don't blame them. I would think that being picked up would be rather scary.
2007-05-11 15:34:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters are social animals... Meaning they love to be given lots of attention and being cared for... Depending on the length of their stay with you... If they just came from the store, they are still adjusting to their new owners and to the environment... If you have another pet in the house and you just hold it, they will certainly smell that in your hand... Also, teasing these animals tends to aggitate them and therefore make them afraid...
2007-05-11 15:07:33 · answer #7 · answered by Rey Arson II 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fred is my hamster he loves attention especially his ears scratched.It took a few months of everyday holding and touching to get him to mellow but now when I take him out of the cage he crawls up my leg to get attention.
2007-05-11 18:48:11 · answer #8 · answered by dymond 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more you play with them and pet them the more used to it they'll be.
2007-05-11 14:54:16 · answer #9 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the more you play w/them the nicer they'll be
2007-05-11 15:08:15 · answer #10 · answered by Nea 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋