Getting bitten by otherwise calm hamster

[sophiedoe]

Hello,
So things are going fairly well with Kalli, her cage situation is good now. We feed her dry food from our fingertips in her cage which she is fine with, she runs over to get the food with no hesitation. We've also been doing bathtub training. I can stroke her back whilst she is eating without a problem, if she's not eating she tends to startle a little bit but is generally okay.

I tried laying my hand flat on the bottom of the bath with some peas on my palm, which she loves. She came right over, rested her paws on my hand to eat some peas, but then sniffed and bit my finger hard. It didn't draw blood but it hurt a lot and scraped off some skin.

I'm unsure how to proceed - do I keep trying this, or am I better off skipping this step and trying to scoop her up? She seems to assume hands are food, even when I have washed them and the food has only been on my palm. I love having her but it would be great to be able to touch her more!

Thanks!

[CMB]

My hamster has done the same after eating on my hand. I have closed my hand into a fist and offered her the back of my hand to climb onto and arm. I think it's harder for them to bit the back of a hand as the skin is tighter. Having my fingers tucked under neath leave nothing sticking out too. She is a young dwarf, so smaller than your hamster, but you could try.

Or just don't have the food on your hand. A taming box may also work. In an attempt to climb out they will often climb on your hand or arm. Use a box or something to transfer your hamster from their cage to the taming box.

[JLPrairie]

I wouldn't worry about it. It's actually really common for hamsters to suddenly bite someone that may or may not have previously trusted.
If she continues to do so only then would I consider resetting the taming process.

[cypher]

It sounds as though she's still at that stage where they aren't sure where food stops & hands begin! It can help to just stop hand feeding for a while until she gets more used to hands, just let her climb onto or over your hands when she wants to for a while, maybe gently stroke her than when she's more used to hands try feeding again.
You could try using something to transport her out of the cage for now & just interact out of the cage.
If she does bite try not to react, just gently remove your hand & it should soon stop.

[sophiedoe]

Thanks everyone

[daven]

Hey @sophiedoe - this sounds a lot like my Hamster. How did you get on with taming in the end? Did you succeed? ��