New hamster owner, need some help

[Muffin76]

Hello! I’m a new hamster owner to a female Syrian. I have had her for about a week and so far she has been adjusting well and has been very friendly and has not bitten me. So I have a couple questions because I think I made a mistake!

She has been putting her food on her wheel at night and it makes the worst noise in the world. Her cage is in my room and I don’t know what to do to get her to stop. Last night I removed her food dish so she wasn’t able to take all of the food and run with it all night.

This morning, I went to pick her up and she bit me very hard. I then put her food dish in to feed her. I feel like I made a mistake not having her food dish in there at night and trying to pick her up in the morning. After she took the food I tried to pick her up and she looked like she was trying to bite my fingertips again.

What, if anything, can I do about the food on her wheel and did I make a mistake taking her food out at night? How can I fix our relationship so she trusts me again! Thank you!

[Sara H]

Hi, I know it can be sooooo loud but all mine do it. Hammies tend to love to sit and eat in their wheel. I have on occasion got up and emptied the wheel and put it straight back in but thats the only thing I can suggest. They love their wheels and their food.

Another thing you could try is to scatter the food around the cage and see if that helps at all. Mine love it.

[Engel]

You'll find a lot of hams do it (food on the wheel). They typically like to eat on it as a snack during running and often drop some. Only thing I can suggest is tipping the food out of the wheel. If this becomes too annoying then maybe try the saucer type of wheel?

Never take the food out as there's no need to. A week isn't that long to be honest she's still getting used to you. Give it time and take it slow don't expect miracles in a short amount of time. I'd be surprised if any hamster was truly tame in that amount of time

[sarahbutterflies]

Honestly I don't think you can really do anything about the food on the wheel even though it may be loud and annoying. Some like to eat and pee/poop on their wheel so it's not uncommon. As far as the biting goes, she probably didn't like you picking her up so she gave you an indication of that by biting you. My hamster took a few weeks to tame and now I can pick her up and hold her. You just have to be patient! Also, she should have access to food and water (and her wheel) 24/7. They are most active during the nighttime so taking away her food during the time she eats most probably isn't advised.