Hamster Central - View Single Post

Pebbles82 · 05-15-2019, 04:21 PM

When handling her or getting her out of the cage, it might be better to let her walk into a tube or hamster ball and lift her out that way - sometimes they don't like a hand in their cage or being picked up from above. A hamster ball is ideal (put a treat in it that smells - like cucumber) because you can then just pop the lid on and carefully carry the ball somewhere safe to let her out. A lot of people do bathtub taming. Put the plug in the bath and put the ball down in the bath and let her out. Helps to have a toy or tunnel or two in there so she doesn't feel too exposed.

It's a safe place for them to run around while you gradually get her used to being handled. Once she accepts you handling her she'll be tame and less frantic. But it's best to start slowly by just stroking her on the back with one finger while she;s running around or slithering up the side of the bath! If she jerks round or "pings" (jumps away) wait a bit and try again later. Maybe 2 or 3 times first session.

A couple of days later do the same thing again. Once she accepts a stroke on the back with one finger and doesn't bother, you move onto the next stage. Let her walk over the palm of your hand wiht the back of your hand flat on the bottom of the bathtub. Don't try to hold her or pick her up. A few times of that then lift your hand slightly,still flat, about 1cm or so but let her walk off. Leave it till another session and repeat. Then lift a bit higher and let her walk off. You should then be able to hold her next time she walks on your hand, and let her walk from hand to hand. Once she trusts you and feels safe being handled by you, she'll be hand tame.

05-15-2019, 04:21 PM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Desperately Need Help When handling her or getting her out of the cage, it might be better to let her walk into a tube or hamster ball and lift her out that way - sometimes they don't like a hand in their cage or being picked up from above. A hamster ball is ideal (put a treat in it that smells - like cucumber) because you can then just pop the lid on and carefully carry the ball somewhere safe to let her out. A lot of people do bathtub taming. Put the plug in the bath and put the ball down in the bath and let her out. Helps to have a toy or tunnel or two in there so she doesn't feel too exposed. It's a safe place for them to run around while you gradually get her used to being handled. Once she accepts you handling her she'll be tame and less frantic. But it's best to start slowly by just stroking her on the back with one finger while she;s running around or slithering up the side of the bath! If she jerks round or "pings" (jumps away) wait a bit and try again later. Maybe 2 or 3 times first session. A couple of days later do the same thing again. Once she accepts a stroke on the back with one finger and doesn't bother, you move onto the next stage. Let her walk over the palm of your hand wiht the back of your hand flat on the bottom of the bathtub. Don't try to hold her or pick her up. A few times of that then lift your hand slightly,still flat, about 1cm or so but let her walk off. Leave it till another session and repeat. Then lift a bit higher and let her walk off. You should then be able to hold her next time she walks on your hand, and let her walk from hand to hand. Once she trusts you and feels safe being handled by you, she'll be hand tame.