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Old 07-05-2016, 02:43 PM   #1
Sarahscookie
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Default Holding a Hamster

My famiily are new to hamsters. We have a new hamster called Cookie and he is now 11 weeks old. We have done everything in our power to try and hold him as per all the info on the internet and hamster books etc but he is having none of it, he usually justs lays on his side or back. Dont want to keep trying as I dont want to stress him but dont know what else to do? Please help.
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Old 07-06-2016, 11:25 AM   #2
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Holding a Hamster

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear you are having a hard time gaining his trust. Like people, hamsters all have their own personalities and some never like to be held whereas others can't get enough!

What kind of hamster is cookie?

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Old 07-07-2016, 12:16 AM   #3
Sarahscookie
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Default Re: Holding a Hamster

He is a Syrian hamster, golden brown and white with two small brown dots on his back! He is quite happy to take food from us but just not be held, just a shame as he is really cute!
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Old 07-07-2016, 03:38 PM   #4
Fluffagrams
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Default Re: Holding a Hamster

Don't give up hope just yet.

Cookie is still young and he may just need a little more time to be sure of himself. Was he from a pet shop? I've noticed that some of my pet shop hamsters have taken a little bit longer to accept handling and unfortunately there's no saying how long this might take as all hamsters are different.

I know it can be disheartening particularly if you were hoping they'd be the kind of hamster that enjoys a cuddle but they seem to have their own personal agendas and regardless of what you do to encourage them, they won't deviate from this agenda. It took four months before one of my girls was happy to spend any time being held simply because she wanted to play and explore her world. I just tried to interact with her in the ways that she would allow in the hope that giving her that time would gain her trust.

As Cookie is happy to take food from you, this can be used to help get his trust. I used to put seeds on the palm of my hand when I was encouraging Jessie and I'd just let her nibble at them without trying to pick her up or stroke her. Sometimes she'd sit on my hand to eat her seeds, other times she wouldn't. Hopefully you'll find that after a couple of weeks doing this, he'll begin to accept more contact without getting stressed out. Just make sure you wash your hands beforehand using an unscented soap though because he might mistake your hands for food if they smell too yummy!
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Old 07-07-2016, 03:50 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Holding a Hamster

It took us a while to tame our Syrian - when it's done, suddenly you can hold them easily It seemed like slow progress and then it happened quite quickly. I did a little video of how we tamed Charlie (with tips from here) if it helps. It's not great quality and doesn't show much but there are some written tips in it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjyEme2xcq4
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Old 07-07-2016, 07:50 PM   #6
Thin Lizzy
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Default Re: Holding a Hamster

Some hams take longer to tame, I would always stroke mine when they were at their food dish very lightly on their back and at the same time telling he/she how good they were. Continue with the treats and praise him everytime he takes a treat. They love being praised and it builds their confidence.
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Old 07-09-2016, 12:50 PM   #7
pinkneon
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Default Re: Holding a Hamster

It took a while to tame my Syrian too. I got him in March, but it's only been a few weeks at most that he has been completely tame! He'll get there. Talk to him gently. Did you try the tissue trick - put some tissue up your sleeve for a bit then give to him to build his nest with. It will have your scent on so he won't feel as scared of you
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Old 07-12-2016, 12:04 AM   #8
carmie27
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Exclamation Re: Holding a Hamster

Hi, i need help with my hamster. I recently just got her yesterda, she is a long haired teddy bear/syrian and she is 7 weeks pld. i am worried about her and me connecting she "screams" and maybe i should get another because i dont want her not to feel safe and she even screamed/cried in the petstore. the kind lady was holding her in the back for me until she was ready to go home and they all were but she was the only mixed color one anyways the lady pet her and talked to her and said i see a huge difference before she didnt let you by her she is ok with a few pets here and there. shpuld i worry and ask the lady for help she offered it too or do you think i could do it on my own? i have another syrian teddy bear i got 5-6 days ago who is 3-4 months old and i have a good bond with her i pet her and she is okay with me holding her. so what is wrong with my other one? is it age? what is wrong? is it worth getting help? or can i bond with her? i want peanut to be okay with me. i ahve 14 days if she isnt warming up to me.
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Old 07-12-2016, 06:24 AM   #9
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Default Re: Holding a Hamster

Hamsters usually need to settle in when you get them home. Given time your new hamster is likely to become tame.

just feed and water her for now and lightly clean wee area about every 3 days.

Once she is used to her cage and stops hiding from you. Start talking to her and offer a seed, treat or veg. You can also put tissue up your sleeve to get your scent on it. Then tear it into strips and put them in the cage. This gets the hamster used to your scent in their cage and can help the taming process. They may use the tissue for their nest or may just leave it, but it still helps.
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