Hyper Hammy..... HELP

Gwenny · 08-18-2016, 04:34 PM

Hello everyone,

I'm having a but of trouble with my new Syrian hammy, Hodor.

I have loved and had many hamsters my whole life (all twenty something years!). And I've never had any with "attitude".

I have had Hodor now for two weeks, and he is completely bonkers! I have always managed to tame all my hamsters within the first week or so. But this one is something else! He's a real ninja!

I have been hand feeding him treats etc. since day 2, and he seems perfectly happy to be stroked while in his cage and doesn't mind me putting my hands in to feed him and change his water etc.

He happily climbs out of the cage and into his ball, and will run around the house for ages.

Anyway, every time I've picked him up (or tried) he has either done a runner or made a leap for freedom. I can't keep hold of him. Usain Bolt has got nothing in Hodor! He runs around his cage like a complete lunatic!

I tried letting him crawl out of the cage and into my hand. It started well, he sniffed my hand and had a nibble. Then suddenly he sunk his teeth in, no prior warning at all! I have NEVER been bitten by any other hamster in the past... It actually hurts! Those little teeth are like needles!

Before anyone asks, yes I washed my hands... Thoroughly. And I rubbed my hands in some bedding / sawdust.

He was also chattering (not clicking) his teeth very softly while I was sat talking to him. I understand this is a sign of frustration or anxiety? Again... In over twenty years I've never experienced this.

I'm at a complete loss of what to do! I've tried every trick in the book and like I said he seems happy enough for me to stroke him, just no handling.

Have i just been very lucky in the past to have had such docile hamsters?

Any ideas would be MUCH appreciated! Or is it possible that this is one hammy that will never be tame?

cypher · 08-18-2016, 09:39 PM

Two weeks isn't that long, they are all different but it isn't unusual for a young to not want to be held, if you can stroke him then he's pretty tame already.
Have to tried taking him out of the cage & handling him in a small safe area like a play/taming bin, small play pen or the bath? If you use a bin & just let him get used to running over your hands to begin with & let him take a treat from your hand he should slowly get used to you holding him.

CMB · 08-18-2016, 10:11 PM

Try placing one hand by the cage door then having the ball next to your hand. Hopefully he will walk over your hand to get in the ball. In his eagerness to get in the ball he will forget to bite.

Gwenny · 08-18-2016, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Two weeks isn't that long, they are all different but it isn't unusual for a young to not want to be held, if you can stroke him then he's pretty tame already.
Have to tried taking him out of the cage & handling him in a small safe area like a play/taming bin, small play pen or the bath? If you use a bin & just let him get used to running over your hands to begin with & let him take a treat from your hand he should slowly get used to you holding him.

Yes I've got a play bin for him. He just becomes erratic. I don't think he likes it too much. There's toys and tubes for him in there but he just zooms around at top speed trying to find an exit.

Gwenny · 08-18-2016, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMB

Try placing one hand by the cage door then having the ball next to your hand. Hopefully he will walk over your hand to get in the ball. In his eagerness to get in the ball he will forget to bite.

That is one thing I haven't tried. I am worried that the extra space between him and his ball will make him want to try and escape.

Gimleyand Meeko · 08-19-2016, 12:25 AM

He is an escape ham! I know it takes different amounts of time to tame a hamster but you can stroke him so he is rather tame, I know it sounds awful but son hamsters don't like to be tamed...

Gwenny · 08-19-2016, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gimleyand Meeko

He is an escape ham! I know it takes different amounts of time to tame a hamster but you can stroke him so he is rather tame, I know it sounds awful but son hamsters don't like to be tamed...

Quite possibly. I still love him to bits already. So I don't mind if I never hold him, as long as I can get him out if the cage for some exercise in his ball.

I'm thinking also that it maybe because he's so young still. Needs to get the extra energy out of his system. Maybe he'll calm down in a couple of months.

cypher · 08-19-2016, 12:55 AM

It's totally natural for them to run around exploring & looking for escape routes lol! that's pretty much what young energetic hams do, try not to expect too much too soon or to expect him to be like other hams you've had, persevere with the taming bin just for a short while each day & he'll probably calm down a bit with time.

Gimleyand Meeko · 08-19-2016, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwenny

Quite possibly. I still love him to bits already. So I don't mind if I never hold him, as long as I can get him out if the cage for some exercise in his ball.

I'm thinking also that it maybe because he's so young still. Needs to get the extra energy out of his system. Maybe he'll calm down in a couple of months.

Lets hope so

Do you provide plenty of water and food for your ham during play? Good luck with taming