Biting hamster

[Pebbles82]

If you lift her out in a ball you shouldn't need to wear gloves. If you want to try stroking her occasionally without getting bitten, while in the bathtub for example, you could try using a toothbrush - so you can sort of stroke her at arm's length from a distance. If she turns and bites the brush she's not ready. Gradually she should get used to the toothbrush then you can progress to a stroke with one finger. If she tolerates that you can move onto gently cupping a hand under her while she's out of the cage (in the bathtub or other enclosed space). Then just lift her a centimetre or so with the palm of your hand but let her walk off, don't try to hold her. Once you've done this a few times she should feel more trusting about being handled and picked up. Never try to pick her up with a hand from above - like a claw - they are prey animals and instinctively fear something from above.

Sorry just read you don't have a bathtub! A playpen area would do. It sounds good that she can walk over you in the hallway. To do the taming/stroking though I would try and have her in a more enclosed space like a playpen. But running over you in the hallway will help her get used to your scent and presence.

[Darira]

I tried letting her loose in the hallway and sat quietly with her. She walked over my legs twice but was more busy trying to find a way to escape. I put my hand flat next to me with some treats on my palm but she reacted the same way she does in her cage: takes her time eating the treats while on my hand and then tries to nib my fingertips. She does allow me to stroke her back though! That made me very happy. I will try a playpen area instead tomorrow and see how she reacts to my hand then.