Why is my tamed hamster biting?

Question

I got my hamster a few months ago and I went through the normal growing pains with her while trying to tame her. After awhile things started going well; she didn't like being taken out of her cage, but after she was out, she was fine and didn't bite me. She'd crawl all over my hands and arms without a problem and even curl up in the crook of my arm to sleep. Lately she's started biting again and I have no idea why. She'll crawl around on my hands for a long time and then suddenly she'll just chomp down on my hand or wrist or whatever is near. I just had her out for about 15 minutes and she bit me 5 times.

Does anyone have any idea why she might have started biting again?

She is a dwarf hamster and I take her out of her cage at least once an evening to handle her.

Answer 1

If she's a Dwarf hamster, it's in her nature. Put her in a hand towel when you hold her. Then she'll nibble on the towel and not your hand.

Also, hamsters like their privacy so if you hold them too long, they start to nibble so you will put them down. Don't give her treats when your holding her because she will mistake your hand for a treat and bight you harder. Furthermore, she will figure out that if she bights you hard enough, you will give her treats.

If all else fails, call your cat in to discipline her!

JK (:

Good luck.

Answer 2

Firstly, you cant really change a hamsters habits. Female hamsters tend to be most often the ones who bite.

But.. you could try again. Youre hamster doesn't like to be picked up. To get her more with u, every once in a while u could put ur hand in n let her smell u. Do this for a couple of weeks. if u keep on doing this, she will eventually get used to ur smell. she prob. didnt want u to touch her because she felt threatened. So when handling her, always do so with care.
If she bites u.. well u know she might cuz u have nothing to offer her.. try feeding her out of your hand some veggies n stuff.
Oh and remember that hamsters sleep durig the day n play during the night. Dont bother her during her sleep time, because she WILL get irritated n bite u.

Answer 3

Its possible she is beggining to feel insecure. Give her treats such as carrots, cabbage or corn.(mine loved carrots.) Or, its possible that the hamster thinks that your wrist is a carrot or some other food. My grandpa used to stick his fingers though the wires of the cage and my hampster used to bite because he though it was a carrot. Another possibility is that it may be a phase. Similar to humans, hampsters probably experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Maybe she suddenly remembered something bad about us people. Its probably just a phase. If the problem consists, you might want to take him to a vet. Sometimes, that is not possible(i remember my mom said no because the vet costs more than the hamster at times.) Ask if your family member did something to the hamster. Another thing may have been that she is tied. if you hold them too long, they start to nibble or even bite! Or just shower. Sometimes, the bad scent may cause it. Did you change shampoo or somthing? They have sensitive noses. good luck training her :). Sorry for the very unorganized awnser.


EDIT: The breed is important too. I dont think shes a dwarf based on your description but is she? FYI...another idea. she may have forgotten you somewhat if you havnt played with her for a long time.

EDIT #2: Has she gotten better yet? I had a dwarf too! Shes probably just scared, or mabe she has alzymers(jk) but she mau have another disease, vet time

Answer 4

She may be in heat. The female hamster will come into heat about every 6 to 8 weeks. During this time they will become irritable and moody just like humans when we have our cycle. BUt with hamsters, instead of crying or yelling, they bite and shy away.

Answer 5

Dwarf hamsters are HUGE biters!!!
But maybe to "help" prevent this make sure you wash your hands before handling her. As your hands may smell like food and she will want a taste..
Also, you can try wearing gardening gloves. This will ensure that her teeth don't break your skin.
Good luck!

Answer 6

Hamsters are temperamental when they're in heat. If this continues, it may be due to your pet feeling stressed. A vet told me once that our hamster was biting because it was stressed by too much handling, too little privacy and too much noise.