Does my hamster hate me?

Question

I just got a hamster. It is a female dwarf hamster. She is white with pink eyes(I don't know the exact breed)
Everytime I try to pick her up she bites me and runs away. And her bites HURT! Not to mention it's kinda scary.
All I want to do is hold her or put her in her exercise ball but she just won't stop biting. I understand I must give her time to adjust but this is just crazy! Is this normal?

Thanks for all the great answers so far!
For the suggestion of putting my hand in the cage with a treat. What's a good treat for my hamster?

Answer 1

DONT WORRY THATS JUST THE SAME WITH MY HAMSTER HERES A WEBSITE I FOUND FOR YOU TO PREVENT THIS

P.S. IT WORKED FOR ME SO IT SHOULD DO 4 U AS WELL I HOPE LOL GOOD LUCK ;)

Answer 2

For the breed, this is an albino dwarf hamster, which is why she has the pink eyes. You should just put your hand in the cage with treats and let her eat it out of your hand. Some good treats are just cut up vegetables just as apples and carrots, or else you could buy some at the pet store.

Answer 3

The #1 rule of having a hamster is never, ever, put your hand the cage. It will bite you. This is what I did with my Russian hamster, I took an empty paper towl roll (or special hamster tubes) and stuck my fingers at the other end, he walked into the tube and i picked up the tube and slightly tipped it, then he came out. I gave him a treat, now he automadically comes out. If your hamster still bites, then go to a petstore were they have small critter training, it works!

Answer 4

Yes, it is normal. She does not hate or like you. Hamsters are known biters especially the dwarfs. You can try several things. One try putting your hand in the cage as often as possible. (Being careful to stay out of the teeth's way) Just run your hand over everything in the cage so she can get used to the smell and movements. You can also pick her up using a towel of thick glove. Make sure your smell in on the towel or glove to help her get used to it. Lastly, do not pull away (within reason; do not get all bit up). This is the hardest, but quite often the most effective.

Also, you might want to make sure she is not pregnant. Pregnant females are especially "bitee".
GOOD LUCK!
If you decide to try a different rodent. Try a rat. They are much easier to handle and train. See these sites:
http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/
http://www.petrats.org/
http://mypetrat.com/
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/careofrats/a/ratsaspets.htm
http://www.afrma.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat
http://www.afrma.org/rminfo1.htm
http://www.ratfanclub.org/
http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Pet-Rat
http://petinfopackets.com/rats/ratinfopacket.html
http://www.raleighrodentrescue.org/links.html
http://www.raleighrodentrescue.com/

Answer 5

Your hamster doesnt hate you.i had a hamster who used to bite all the time i had to wear gloves most times, and also use treats so he wouldnt go for the hands, i did this until i got a real good relationship with my hamster and he never bit me after that. For treats i used dry cereal maybe corn flakes or something and hamster food after that my hamster died at the age of 5!!

Answer 6

Hamsters are not capable of hate. They are very fearful because in nature they are FOOD! Give her time to adjust. Put your hand in the cage and just leave it there for a little bit several times a day. Put a treat in your palm. Let her come to you. Be very patient. I know--their bites really do hurt a lot but she is only acting out of instinct.

Answer 7

yeah it is normal. I have the same kind of hamster too. I was told to put my hand inside the cage every day until she got used to my hand and my smell. I'm still not able to hold her as much as i would want, but at least she does not bite me. Try it to see if it works :)

Answer 8

Ok first of all I don't think your hamster hates you. Yes you have to let it get used to your home for a day or two. after that try again. If she still bites try holding her with a rubber glove. Then she can get used to you without hurting you. If she still doesn't stop biting she might just be a bad temperd hamster.

Answer 9

Try buying those bitter sprays at pet stores. Then spray it on your hand so that when she bites you, she'll remember that bitterness and probably stop biting. Also, even regular foods in a hamsters diet (i.e. dried corn, sunflower seeds) make a good lure for hamsters (atleast mine). Best of luck ;)

Answer 10

ur hamsters dosen't like u or is scared of u. maybe u can try gloves that are used for the winter that way u dont feel it biting u. u just have to be careful with him.also wht i do is that i get the wheel and try to get him in there then put him in ur hand because my hamsters bite me when i try sometimes though.

Answer 11

give her time to get to know you. if you are scared, think how scared she must be. Plus, I am sure she can sense you are scared. Try offering her a treat without piccking her up a few days. Maybe put a small treat inside her exercise ball.

Another point..... hopefully she is not on the pudgy side. She may be preggers and want to be left alone.