Freddy is anti-social

[AnnaSueJ]

Our new hamster is totally anti social. If he is in his house and he hears you in the room, he won't come out of his house. If he is in the cage and you walk into the room, he runs and hides in his house. If you are sitting quitely next to his cage and he ventures out of his house, as soon as he spots you, zoom, back into the house. I thought I was making leeway with him on the taming, because he actually will take a raisin out of my fingers when I hold it up to him. Door open hand stuck inside of the cage. I'm starting slow in trying to tame him because I feel that I started too soon with Zoe and the stress made her sicker. Any advice on taming him? I also have to admit that I know zip about hamsters. Zoe is really the first hamster I've been in contact with. I have Patricia Barnett's book and I follow it on basic care, i.e cleaning the cage, feeding, etc. But I feel alot of times other peoples experiences are the best learning tools.

Thanks in advance.

[SnuggleHam]

The best thing that you can do is to try and talk softly to the hamster when its awake. Keep offering treats here and there to get your ham use to your scent and presence ect, its probably best you interact with it on his terms when he’s already naturally awake so you don’t become a negative experience. Maybe if he’s in a quite room he will be more encouraged to come out and explore. It usually takes some time. How long ago did you get your hamster?



It will need some time to adjust there is no need to rush it. Just be respectful of his space but be persistent in offering small treats and trying to get him use to your being near the cage. Don’t make any jerky movements that may startle him ect.

[afishcalledwanda]

It can take months to get a hamster to trust you. Especially if they haven't been handled much from the time they were a youngster.

If you got him from a pet shop, he probably wasn't handled right from the start.

My hamster, Khalua, I got at Christmas time. She just started trusting us and voluntarily climbing out onto our hands last month. We also noticed that if we turn on the night light and not the bright overhead light, she is more inclined to make her appearance.

Don't rush the hamster. These little creatures are going to take time because you must also realize how we must look to them! We are giant galoots with giant galoot hands grabbing at them! We have loud booming voices to their ears that seem scary too.

So, patience, calm soothing tones and let hammy come to you when he's ready.



The large chains like PetSmart & PetCo are notorious for mishandling small pets. We won't even get into the breeding and shipping practises across the country. You'll have nightmares for the rest of your life.

Why do you think so many hamsters come home and get sick right away?

Large 'leviathan' type pet shops are pushing out the smaller Mom & Pop type shops that have better animals and more personalized service.

The truth isn't always presented to us out at the front counter/display.