Help with Taming, Please!!!

Creampuff · 04-09-2019, 12:34 PM

Hi, I just got my hamster a week and two days ago, and I have begun to tame her. I'm not quite sure how to go about taming her. I know to feed her treats and handle her a lot, etc. She takes treats if I hand them to her (she also will come out from hiding if I give her a treat ), and I once held out my hand with a treat in it. She started biting me, but eventually she figured out that my finger was not a treat, LOL. She then took the treat. I have picked her up multiple times, however I do not think it is comfortable for her. She also seems scared of me. Does anyone know how to tame and handle a hamster? This is my first hamster so I don't have much hamster experience. Thanks!

chloeeruth98 · 04-09-2019, 06:00 PM

Hi there! Sounds like you're doing a great job already; hamster taming can be quite tricky...

Bathtub bonding could be one option as a next step, as it really helps you both get more used to each other and to handling, in a safe and secure place. Just pop a blanket (not a fluffy one, fleecy ones are good) in the bottom of the bath, and have some treats ready.

Then move your little one from her cage to the bath. One good way of moving hamsters who aren't fully tamed is in a large clean mug. Just pop a seed or treat inside the mug; she should be interested, and a gentle push will encourage her into the mug! Placing your hand loosely over the top will stop her popping out until you're both safely in the bath.

One of my favourite youtubers, VictoriaRachael, made a great video on hamster taming, I'll leave the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2l-JbBjX4g

hope this helps!

Creampuff · 04-10-2019, 05:39 AM

Thank you! I actually have already watched that video, but I thought I'd get some more advice from here.

. I do have one other question... Could you tell me a good way to pick up the hamster? Thanks!

cypher · 04-10-2019, 08:16 AM

It sounds as though taming is going ok, you may have begun picking her up too soon, the best way to pick them up is to just gently cup your hands underneath them but as they become tamer it's best to just let them walk onto your hands.
Have you begun out of cage taming? The bath is ok or you can use a playpen or other safe, escape proof area with plenty of toys & things to explore, many hams enjoy interacting out of the cage but can be a bit averse to hands in the cage.