Don't know what to do with Harry?

HarryHamster · 08-08-2015, 02:21 PM

I have gotten to a stage I don't know what to do with Harry

Harry is a winter white hybrid at 5 months old and his nips have got to a point that he is latching to my fingers and won't let go. I have to physically pull him off or shake him off.

My dad has tried smacking him on the bum to get him to stop, I have tried blowing on him, tapping him or tapping him on the head nothing helps

he has started bar chewing also.

Anyone that can help would be thanked gratefully. I know he is still a baby but he is getting worse everyday.

Thank you

hammy2 · 08-08-2015, 02:56 PM

You should never be physically violent to a delicate hamster you could break his bones by shaking and smacking him. Even a light tap is like being punched. Try to think like a hamster he may come across as being cheeky or naughty because they try to hide their nerves. They're a prey animal and it's very threatning for a hamster being blown on by a predator. The reason he's biting is because he's nervous. You have to remember that your in his home. So let him know you're there before grabbing him by talking softly to him. If he's jumpy don't try to pick him up until he's calmed down. offer tasty treats to gain his friendship. and accept that some hamsters will always bite so pick them out with a mug or something. The chances are he will only bite when he's in his home and not when out playing so simply replacing a mug for your hand may work

**DrKMcK** · 08-08-2015, 03:16 PM

Hello HarryHamster. hammy2 is right about not being rough with a hammy. What I have personally found with the dwarf hammies is that they tend to be cage aggressive more than Syrians. I used heavy suede gardening gloves with my Almond and Toffee. They couldn't bite through the gloves and I didn't have to be hesitant or be jerking my hands away when they approached the gloved hand. After a while they stopped because they realized I wouldn't hurt them. But it takes patience and time. My pair were in a tank style cage, the Tamburine Naturala. It has no bars to bite. You might want to look into one like it, or make a bin cage. Check out the DIY threads to see quite a lot of wonderful bin cages other members have created. Have patience with your little fluff. He's very small and unsure. You and he will get there if you go at his pace.

http://www.abbaseed.com/CAGES/SHOW_C...GES/dixie.html

candice clews · 08-08-2015, 03:24 PM

I agree with hammy2 on this! You should NEVER smack or blow on a hamster! Does harry come out of his cage at night or play in a ball.... maybe he is bored ...

HarryHamster · 08-08-2015, 03:34 PM

he comes out for cuddle but still latches on even when he is out and tries to escape all the time. He also wees on my dad so we have to watch out for that. I don't mean to hurt at all, he will take treats happily out of my hands no problem. I would never hurt an animal. I talk to him all the time before I try to take him out of the cage. even when I am doing his food he doesn't like it.

**DrKMcK** · 08-08-2015, 03:46 PM

Yes, that sounds like cage aggression. He's feeling invaded. He doesn't realize that you are actually the bringer of good things to eat. Hands in his house are a threat! Another thing you can do is let him run around in a playpen, or your bath tub with a few toys while you do maintainance on his home. Spot cleaning, checking food and water can all be done while he is having playtime in the tub or a pen. Check out the DIY playpens folks here have made. They are really creative. I used to use a hamster run about ball to transfer my two miniature sharks...excuse me...miniature hamsters to and from the bathroom. You can use any tall enough container so they don't jump out. See if this helps.

hammy2 · 08-08-2015, 03:46 PM

Hamsters have a lot of energy to burn when they're young you may find he grows out of the biting stage but it may take patience on your half. You can't enforce bad behaviour with punishment with an animal that is bottom of the food chain, that only leads to set backs. You just need to be gentle and patient and change the way you approach the problem

Larrymom · 08-08-2015, 04:46 PM

I've had Larry for a year now and he's only stopped nipping/attacking me for treats. The other day he did latch on to my finger but I think that's stress of a new cage. I'd advise gloves. Some people disagree with me and think it's probably bad that I wear gloves when I'm handling him but he only ever bites me/nips me when my bare hand is in there.

candice clews · 08-09-2015, 01:12 AM

What cage is he in? If the cage is too small then the hamster will be annoyed and angry, it happened with our snowy the first day as the cage we had brought her was too small and she didn't like it!

HarryHamster · 08-09-2015, 08:48 AM

I know his cage is a bit too small but we are going away in october and we don't want to change his cage until we get back. Then he is going to have a massive cage could you please suggest some that I could get in the uk! Thanks