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Old 12-08-2017, 11:09 PM   #1
Elineevee
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Oklahoma
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Unhappy Hamster biting?

Hi everyone I hope asking a question is okay here! I haven't been able to find much advice for my situation. I've recently got my first hamster 6 days ago. It's a winter white male in a 40 gal tank. He seemed very well adapted to his new cage so I started treat taming. He got used to my voice and would slowly approach my hand. He would take the treat and go away. But now when I try to put my hand into the cage he immediately runs over no matter what I'm doing and will try to bite my hand. Even if there is a treat on my hand he will come to my hand and bite it before getting the treat. I've washed my hands with unscented soap and I've tried to run my hands in his bedding away from him (in which he then runs over and tries to bite me). He hasn't broken my skin but is more of nibbling on my fingers. I'm very confused if he's scared or territorial right now and what might be the best move for the next couple of days. Should I leave him alone and try to restart the taming after a few more days? He hasn't had any other behavioral problems yet.
Brief review of the situation- let hamster sit in cage for 4 days. Tried to treat tame. Went well at first he took the treats. Now when he sees my hand he tries to put his teeth on it any way he can but isn't breaking the skin (it hurts though). I haven't put my hand in since he keeps doing it but I'm concerned I may have scared him.
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:49 PM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster biting?

6 days isn't long at all so you've been doing well with him, don't stop & leave him now as that will just set things back, be patient but consistent.
It's a little difficult to tell if this is him being territorial or just normal nibbling behaviour, they do tend to nibble a bit at first as they work out where food stops & hands begin & it's a way of exploring new things.
Rushing over to bite does sound more like him being territorial though.
Try not putting your hand in the cage for a little while (you can do food & water when he's sleeping) & just interact with him out of the cage.
Use a mug, tube or anything he'll happily climb into that you can safely transport him in then set up a safe play area, it could be a large plastic storage bin with some of his substrate & toys in or a playpen, bought or made, again with a few toys, hideouts & a wheel.
Give him a little time to run around & explore once you've taken him to the play area then try interacting with him, if it is him being territorial then the biting should stop although you may still get some exploratory nibbles for a while.
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Old 12-09-2017, 04:02 AM   #3
Turrican
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Default Re: Hamster biting?

Congratulations on your new hamster! The most important thing is not to give up. With my current hamster, what worked for me was to play with him in the (dry!) bathtub. I put a towel down and a few tubes, scattered treats etc and got him out of his cage via a little box or something and the just sat in the bath while he explored. When he climbed on me I stayed still and spoke to him gently and gave him a gentle stroke etc. I did it every night and he soon got used to me and is now ok to be held etc. He is still a bit of a shy hamster but I believe he's as tame as he ever will be, if that makes sense.
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Old 12-09-2017, 07:40 AM   #4
Elineevee
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Default Re: Hamster biting?

Okay thank you both! I'll do that tonight and see if he does any better
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Old 12-09-2017, 08:00 AM   #5
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster biting?

I wouldn't use the bath for a Russian, it can be a bit big & overwhelming for them.
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