Taming your hamster

Depending on where you got your hamster from, you may need to tame it, especially if it is a rescue or from a pet shop. If you purchased a hamster from a breeder it will more than likely already be tame and you will just need to maintain and develop the taming process.

Syrians especially will need to be left alone for at least 24 hours after you have brought the hamster home and placed it into its new environment as they are susceptible to stress induced wet tail.

Taming is a gradual process that requires time and patience. You may find the hamster is scared of you at first so to help get it used to you follow these tips: speak to it softly in your normal voice and pick a name and stick to it and call it by the name every time you go near, offer small treats from your fingers to get the hamster used to your scent and taking yummy morsels from you, and slowly stroke it’s back as it eats to get used to being touched. If the hamster does not want to be touched at first then persevere but don’t stress the hamster out by trying to pick it up if it is not used to you.

After a few days, encourage the hamster out of its cage using an exercise ball or empty clean tub such as an ice cream tub. Either place it near the open door of the cage or take the top of the cage off and place it on the bottom of the cage so the hamster can climb in of its own accord. Take the hamster to your bathroom and use a dry, empty bath tub with the plug in the hole or somewhere secure and hamster-proof such as a downstairs toilet. If using the bath tub, sit in it and open the exercise ball/place the tub on your lap and let your hamster crawl onto you. Don’t make any sudden movements or noises and remain calm as hamsters can sense fear. Gently stroke the hamster and let it sniff your hands. Offer it a flat palm to see if it will crawl onto it. Let the hamster roam you freely to get used to you and being stroked in a different environment.
When you have tried this for 4 or 5 days then you can start to attempt to handle your hamster (less time if your hamster is confident and not scared). Always handle a hamster close to the floor in case it jumps and be ready to catch it if it does. It is a good idea to handle it the first few times in the bath tub (remember to put the hole in the plug) or secure area. Pick it up slowly, supporting the underside and the top of the hamster or cup it in both hands (most hamsters new to handling do not like being approached from above). Slowly let the hammy wander from hand to hand and use one hand to stroke it to let it know that you are not a threat. Continue with this until the hamster no longer appears frightened. Don’t force the hamster to do what it does not want to do, and take it at the hamsters pace rather than your own.

When you are confident that your hamster is becoming tame then you can start to pick it up from its cage and handle it as normal.

Remember that every hamster is different and that it often takes a while to tame a hamster, it is rare to tame a hamster in less than a month (dependant on age). Don’t give up if you feel you are failing at it, persevere and you will see results.

Thanks for the info. I have a very tame sweet hammie....& the other is a little devil. I will have to try some of these things with him.

Hello i_am_plankton!

Thanks for your information. I have 2 Roborovski hamsters, Hamu and Hamsti. They are known to be tough to tame and dislike the human touch. However, I did some research and found out that they method of using food to tame the hamsters and let them get used to the smell of my hands worked! I was so happy because initially both of my babies were afraid of me and ran away when i tried to carry them.

   
This is Hamu! He's very happy with his food and stays still eating.

   
Hamsti is a bit more curious. When I buy new toys for them, he'll be the one exploring them first! That's why, like you mentioned, it's good to hold them low in case they run out of your palms and fall from a height.

Now, even without food in my hands, they will run into my palms when I place it in their cage. Thanks to wonderful information from the books that I read, and your post.

Also, like you mentioned, some hamsters might take longer to get used to us playing with them. Hamu was more receptive and took just 1 month while Hamsti took a bit longer. I'm glad my patience paid off. Cheers!

Hi I_am_plankton
I've had Ned for a week today. I've let him out to roam around the lounge 3 times and it's gone well. Today though he's perhaps woken up in a chewing mood? He's nipped my toe. I give him lots of space but perhaps am not handling him enough? If I do get him out we does mooch around me and then goes onto the floor. He's very active. Do I 'make' him sit with me in the evening for a bit longer than I do now? I'd be grateful for some advice.

Thanks ever so

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Just found the thread on biting

Thank you SOOOOOO much for the great advice i_am_plankton! I just got my hamster yesterday and I had absolutely no idea no idea whatsoever how to tame it! You helped a lot!

Hey everyone! i just got a longhaired cream/honey syrian hammy named Gus. its a boy... i really dunno how to tame him! he seems like he may be aggressive... please help!

Hi Gus and welcome
There are some great methods in this article and if you would like to look at out article 'taming tips' here there are some other handy hints with illustrations.
http://custardhamstery.piczo.com/tamingt...var=000044

Thanks so much for the advice and the article.....I was at a loss as what to do with my Syrian's that have not been handled.....I got a nasty bite on my little finger and even though I have been bitten by many different animals this was the worst one I have ever received.....I am almost embarrassed to admit it but it has made me timid now and I know the hammies can sense that but the bite was really bad......So after nursing my finger and my ego I am ready to have another go at the taming thing.....So thanks for pointing me in the right direction and giving me ideas as to how to go about it.

Michelle

I'm going to try this tonight lol, Stan is quite tame already thanks to MOPTOP but I want him to trust me more

Ok so I tried it tonight, i'm sure it will get better in a few days lol!!!

He went into his house to sulk for a while and has just come out to have a nosey at the presents I have left him

I can see that a wonderful relationship is forming lol

I love my Stan the man