Newbie!!! Questions!

[aumalokai]

Hi everyone! I'm new here, and new to hamster ownership! I just have a few questions. I recently bought my first hamster, whom was sold as a dwarf blueberry. We started things much too fast, and started handling him right from the start. Recently he's become bitey, and I think we need to start from the beginning. What do you all recommend as the best way to tame him? He was also dropped by my friend (she felt terrible), although he seems to be fine. Do you think that could have scared him and made him reserved towards human contact? Finally, he's kept in the same room as my ratties, although not near each other, and they are never out of the cage at the same time. Do you think that this may be stressing him out? Thank you all so much!!!

[souffle]

Hello and welcome to the forum. What country are you from? I have never heard of a dwarf blueberry in the UK so I am not sure what type it is. Can you give us any pics or a more detailed description? I would hazard a guess at maybe a sapphire Campbells dwarf or a Platinum Campbells. Regardless of type though you need some help on the taming front.

I don't think it is wrong to start handling straight away as long as you go about it carefully, slowly and safely. Your little one has a a bit of a fright and lucky he/she was not hurt. To avoid a fall happening you must always handle your hamster low over a soft surface. Ideally a large bed or on the floor so that it does not have far to fall if it does jump.

I would start from the beginning and put some tissue, like loo roll that you have put your scent on in the cage for the hammie to nest in. This gets them used to your smell. Next take the cage to a bed or the floor and take the top off so you have good easy access. Try and encourage him out with a little treat and if he comes gently stroke his back talking calmly. Do this a few time but don't pick him up.

Next encourage him into a ball or box. Use the lid to sort of herd him in and take him in this to the bed or floor in a secure area. Let him crawl out on to your lap then gently pick him up and make a little tunnel with your fingers and let him run through hand to hand so that he feels your hands round his body. Try and keep this going till he calms. Don't panic if he wees on you or tries to nip and jump just keep calm as they sense if you are afraid. You must be firm and persistent. Don't put him back if he nips as they learn this happens. We find a very gently blow on the face and saying no stops them. I hope this helps.

I don't think they will mind the rats but as they have a very sensitive sense of smell they may not like rat scent much. Try and keep him as distant from them as possible maybe though I do know other people who have both species and have no bother.

Looking forward to hearing more about your ham. What is it called?

[SnuggleHam]

Souffle's advice is wonderful, so I don’t feel the need to add anything to it.

The different names for hamsters pet stores use it crazy, I’m always hearing something new! Have you had the chance to look at Hamster Centrals Info and Articles section? If not you really should give some of them a read. We have information about each kind of hamster you can buy with pictures of that type.

Perhaps if you take a look you’ll be able to tell us what kind of hamster it is? If you can post pictures that would be even more helpful!

Welcome to the community, dont forget to post an intro and tell us more about yourself!

[pophammy]

The advice you have been given is good. Some hamsters seem to suffer from cage aggression, or, as we call it, 'Cage Rage'! If your hammy only bites around the cage, it is important to get him out of the cage and well away from it before commencing taming. Try and avoid poking your fingers at him in the cage. You could use a hamster ball or box to get him out, as souffle suggested. If your cage does not have terribly easy access, you could make a playpen out of a large cardboard box or plastic tub where you can handle him easily. Just make sure that you supervise him at all times as they are rather good at escaping! An important point is to make sure that your hands are always clean and don't smell of food as the ham may think you are offering him a treat and this may be why he is biting you.

[Thames Valley Rodents]

Thats fantasic and sensible advice everyone has given you! I will say that i have rats and hamsters myself and although once they have all settled in the scent of other species doesnt seem to bother the hamsters, if ever i handle or clean out the rats or any other species for that matter and then do not wash my hands properly before handling my dwarves (particularly campbells) i am much more likely to be bitten by them.
So... im sure you already do this but if you make sure that you wash your hands with scented soap (an antibacterial one being best) your little hamster may be less inclined to bite. As for cage-rage... i have a duprasi gerbil called Prozac that suffers from it terribly... i have found that the best thing to pick her out of the cage with is a small plastic scoop. The one i use come in large packs of Persil washing powder.
I should think that your hamster is a campbells. Pet shops give things the most rediculous names... going back to the Duprasi, i once saw an online advert for them placed by a pet shop... they were being sold as 'Nob-Tailed' gerbils Oh dear!!

Kat
TVR

[babyboos]

nob tailed....
oh my goodness

A scoop like the type you get for cat litter is great as a Cambell's extraction tool