Hamster Handling

Mello · 01-02-2014, 12:00 AM

So I got a new Campbell's dwarf about a week or so ago and I needed to take him out to clean his cage. When I put my hand in his cage to get him used to me, he doesn't seem to notice or care about my hand, and he's obviously not trained to walk up onto it. However, I picked him up with two hands when I took him out of his cage and he actually seemed pretty cool with it. He didn't try to bite me, and he ate calmly in my palm when I gave him food, but he did run around/dig at my hand a lot after that. Does it seem like he's been well-handled or likes me? Or am I just too smitten to see that he's anxious in my hands so soon after getting him?

suga · 01-02-2014, 12:22 AM

Congrats on the hamster. I would keep doing what you are to help him get used to you. Pick up and put down a couple of times and at the end reward with a treat. Hopefully things will continue. Some hams are well handled. You could get back in touch with the people he came from to ask.

Nush · 01-02-2014, 09:03 AM

Your hamster sounds fine. Like Suga said, keep doing this exercise and give him treats. At first do it for short periods of time so that he understands he'll always go back to the security of his cage afterwards.

They do get curious and would run on your arm and bite your clothes. It's quite cute

Mello · 01-02-2014, 05:32 PM

Thanks for the input!
One problem though is that he doesn't really seem to pay attention to any of the treats I give him. Any ideas for what to give him? I tried broccoli and carrots and then I read that I'm not supposed to give him carrots. He did nibble on the broccoli a bit but he didn't seem to care for it that much.

Nush · 01-03-2014, 02:59 AM

Every hamster is different. Some hamsters are food oriented and some aren't. My hybrid is not interested in food as much, she prefers play time. So try to make a small play pen (may be in a cardboard box or dry bath) and see if he's more interested in that.

When I was training, I took mine out for very short bursts and every time my hammy came back to me, I'd pick them up and take them back to their cage. That way they learn if they want to go back, all they have to do is come back to me

Mello · 01-03-2014, 05:58 PM

I think I've just been catching him when he's not hungry

I gave him some broccoli today and he sat and nibbled it for a while.

Also, the other night he fell asleep in my hands while I was watching TV, so I'm pretty sure he likes me

EDIT:
I managed to get a pic too