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Old 01-26-2018, 01:35 AM   #1
agarcia
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Default New syrian hamster taming help

So I got a syrian hamster from the pet store about two weeks ago, they told me he was around 3-6 months old. He was very timid since I got him and since then I've left him alone other than a few times when he's awake I occasionally grab a piece of his food and see if he'll take it from my hand. Sometimes he does, but mostly he just gets scared and runs into his house. I understand that this is normal behavior for a new hamster but what kind of things can I do to get him to start trusting me? I'm not sure if I should have seen some type of progress by now, but he's just as scared of me and any type of noises as he was when I first got him. Just looking for some tips/reassurance
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Old 01-26-2018, 02:04 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: New syrian hamster taming help

If your ham was 3-6 months old when you brought him home it sounds as though he's probably been in the pet shop for some time without much if any interaction so he may take a little longer to settle than a younger ham but if you can set up a consistent routine with him you should be able to gradually build his confidence.
When they're very timid I just begin by spending lots of time being around the cage talking to them gently & reassuringly so they get used to my presence & voice. They are very curious little things so as long as you don't startle him with any sudden noises he should begin to take an interest.
If he comes out offer him a tasty treat, maybe something like a sunflower or pumpkin seed, a small piece of nut, small pieces of broccoli or other veg can be good for tempting them too.
Don't move your hand or force it on him just be patient & wait for him to come to you, if he's too scared or runs off to hide then just leave the treat so he can come out & get it when you step away.
Doing that for a short while should build his confidence, help him learn you're not a scary monster & associate you with nice things.
Once you reach that stage you can move on to getting him out for more handling taming sessions in a safe play area (playpen, play bin or even the bath with the plug in, towel in the bottom & some toys to explore) go slow though, don't rush anything & let him get comfortable with each stage before you move on.
You can get him to climb into something like a tube, mug or box to transport him while he's still new to handling, don't try to pick him up out of the cage before he's ready.
Also keep cleaning to an absolute minimum, just spot cleaning pee really & don't change anything in his cage while he's settling in.
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Old 01-27-2018, 01:16 PM   #3
CMB
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Default Re: New syrian hamster taming help

To get him used to your scent. Put some toilet paper up your sleeve and leave it there a while. Then tear it into strips and put them in the cage. You scent will be on the tissue and can help him get used to you.
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Old 01-27-2018, 02:34 PM   #4
Hammy992
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Default Re: New syrian hamster taming help

I second the toilet paper trick. This way they learn to associate your scent with being warm and safe in their nest and as their eyesight isn't too good it also helps them to recognise who you are.
You can talk to him softly through the cage when he is up and about in the evening; I used to sit beside my hammy's cage and read him stories to get him comfortable with hearing my voice.
Just keep persevering and offer him little treats like sunflower seeds or small bits of veg when he shows interest in you being around him and doesn't run away to hide in his house.
As Cypher says since he is older it may take longer for him to feel at home but if you're patient and don't force interactions with him he will gradually gain more confidence and enjoy coming out of his cage to play with you.
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hamster, scared, type, syrian, behavior, normal, noises, understand, runs, tips/reassurance, house, trusting, progress, start, kind, things, told, 3-6, months, timid, ago, weeks, taming, pet, store

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