Problem Behaviour - new hamster

[granny_sarah]

I have just 'adopted' a male syrian hamster - about 7 weeks old - who was neglected and had no handling prior to me adopting him.

I left him alone in his cage for a few days and he seemed quite settled. I have started by trying to stroke him but he is terrified of any contact and runs away. I have persevered and he will accept occasional slight strokes but it is very slow going. I have had to try to pick him up - for example to clean the cage - but this has resulted in real problems. He burrows anywhere he can in the cage, bites, and jumps out of my hands. I have tried to get him to just touch my hands but again no success. We are now c. 1 week after getting him and I have resorted to trying to handle him wearing gloves so avoid getting bitten again but again can't even persuade him to come near me.

I have tried treats but with no avail.

He is very nocturnal - if there is any light he tends to hide away.

Am really worried that our little hammy is going to be destined to a life in his cage with no contact - is it too late to socialise him? We have primary age school children and am keen to try to make some progress as they will find it hard to accept if all they can do is look at him in his cage - and it obviously makes cleaning or checking his health difficult.

Any tips gratefully received. Have asked the organisation from which I adopted him for some help/advice but as yet have not heard anything back.

[Hope]

Firstlywell done for adoptingthis little chappy, and secondly no, its not too late at all.

Hands are quite a scarey thing for hamster, especially anything swooping from above as to them its like a bird!

To get him out of the cage I would use his ball or a box or tub, to scoop him up, then take him to a safe place - many of us use an empty bath tub as they cannot escape! nd just gently tip the box on to your leg and let him crawl out. Let him run about all overyou, getting him used to your smell and your voice too. Take some treats with you and offer him these so that he realises that hands are not all bad, and bring nice things! Do this once a day or twice if you can manage for about 10mins at a time. When you are ready to can practive stroking him on his back and then picking him up. When you do this pick him up scooping with both your hands cupped around his sides and then let him go straight away - gradually increse the amount of time that he his held for - eg count to 3 then 5 then longer untill he is happy being picked up.

There are some fatastic tips on the wiki that Moderator and breeder Soffle has written - her tips are very good and she has delt with lots of baby hams and problem hamsters too. http://www.hamstercentral.com/wiki/Taming_tips

[fluffymunchkins]

He is still very young, so it is perfectly possible.
The wiki link Hope posted is very good, hes still a jumpy baby so i think he may just take time!
Even the tamest of hamsters can find stroking uncomfortable and i had to get Porridge used to picking up at 5 months old.
So keep up the good work x

[Katty_Sheldon]

Try picking him up with a cup or a toilet roll, he might be still very afraid of hands. My hamster also didnt let me pick him up for a long time. Offer him treats first to make him approach you and only when he gets ok to grab a treat and stays near your hand try to slowly move the hand towards him... good luck!