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Old 01-28-2020, 03:26 PM   #1
Benefitsben
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Default Taming help/advice?

So I've had my boy for a few days and left him alone (but sat outside his cage to help him get used to me) but I think now I should start the taming process. One problem tho, everytime I get near enough to him to feed him treats through the bars, he runs away and hides. What can I do to help him be less skittish? I can't tame him if I can't get anywhere near him, and I can't do health checks or anything if I can't get to him lmao
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Old 01-28-2020, 03:55 PM   #2
Shadow Cat
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Default Re: Taming help/advice?

My advice would be just be patient. Keep talking to him through the cage until he gets used to your voice and doesn't run away. He's probably still settling in and doesn't feel safe in his new cage yet. He'll get used to you and his environment. I understand wanting to play with your new pet right away but if you try and force it you'll probably do more damage in the long run. I wouldn't worry about not being able to do a health check yet if he's eating and drinking and seems fine I don't think there's a need to worry. You'll get there in the end. Good luck.
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Old 01-28-2020, 07:07 PM   #3
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Taming help/advice?

Carry on doing what you are doing, patience and time can be key. But, you could also try putting him into a box with a few toys and just keep putting your hands in and out for him to climb over and get used to you. Not scaring him from coming above, but sort of sideways. If you can't pick him up from the cage safely with your hands you can use a cup or jug to transfer him from the cage to the box.
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Old 01-28-2020, 07:55 PM   #4
Dessi
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Default Re: Taming help/advice?

I kept mine in a smaller bin (but still big enough) with less bedding for a while until he got used to me. Before that he was hiding all the time and I would have gotten nowhere.

When he came out at night, I would gently pick him up and offer 1-2 sunflowers seeds, or pumpkin seed, peanut, etc. I would handle him for a few minutes and weigh him. After 4-6 weeks, he was ready to move to his bigger bin cage.

Now he will ask for his treat when he comes out. I don’t see him everyday, he does whatever he wants and it’s okay.
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Old 01-29-2020, 02:53 PM   #5
Benefitsben
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Default Re: Taming help/advice?

Taming update: I'm so happy!!!!! The Boy came out of his burrow a minute ago and normally when he does, if he sees me move he runs back and hides, but today he didn't!! He still won't take food from my hand but that's fine, I just don't think I've found a good enough treat he likes yet. I've put millet sprays in his cage and in a diy chew but he hasn't touched any of them, and in his food mix there are dried mealworms and he doesn't eat them, so can't use those as treats. I tried giving him spinach but he didn't take it, and I tried a yoghurt drop as cos they're so sweet and sugary I thought he would take it but no. He's such a fussy eater lmao (also he doesn't use his chews? Any reason for this?)

On another note, he stuffed his cheeks full of veg and buried it in his burrow so I hope he just eats it and it doesn't go mouldy down there lmao
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Old 01-29-2020, 03:08 PM   #6
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Taming help/advice?

I find sometimes when they first wake up they aren't interested in food, but after a little run around and when they have woken up a bit they become more interested in food. Just thought I would mention that.
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Old 01-29-2020, 04:27 PM   #7
Benefitsben
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Talking Re: Taming help/advice?

Quote:
Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1 View Post
I find sometimes when they first wake up they aren't interested in food, but after a little run around and when they have woken up a bit they become more interested in food. Just thought I would mention that.
That wasn't the problem, he had eaten some veg before I tried to feed him a yogurt drop. The problem was that he was hesitant to take food from my hand, but he woke up again recently and I tried again with the uneaten yoghurt drop and he took it from my hand and ate it :))) I'm so happy he's calming down so I can take him out of his cage and put him in my bath so he can get used to my hands, even if he doesn't want me to luck him up or stroke him that much, on Saturday or Sunday (the doors on the Barney are a little small so it's hard to put my hands in the cage and see what I'm doing past the wheel lol)
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Old 01-30-2020, 11:41 AM   #8
Ria P
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Default Re: Taming help/advice?

Have you tried brown linseeds or a sunflower or pumpkin seed? They are healthy treats and hamsters like them.
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Old 01-30-2020, 12:05 PM   #9
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Taming help/advice?

It really is a bit of time and patience . It takes a good 2 weeks for them to be fully settled in a cagey. During that time he may want to come out or interact but will feel a bit territorial about his cage too and they don’t really like a hand in the cage. Best thing for bus is keep talking to him, offer him treats through the bars and then maybe in a couple of weeks, if he hasn’t shown signs of wanting to come out, tempt him out in a tube. Easiest way is use the top door - maybe while he’s in his house early evening, lower the tube in so one end is over his house door and the other end has a smelly treat in (eg cucumber or cheese). He should walk into the tube to get the treat. Put your hands over both ends of the tube and lift it out. You need something next to the cage to put it down in - eg a large box. So he can walk out of the tube again. I used to use a hamster ball - put one end of the tube in the hamster ball and keep your hand over the other end (to make sure he goes the right way!). He should walk into the ball then pop the lid on and you can then carry him in the ball to a safe area to let him out for some taming and interaction. The dry bathtub is a good place - put the odd toy and hide in there first. He’ll probably just slither up and down the side of the bath trying to get out but you can give him the occasional stroke and he’ll gradually get used to touch and trust you. It depends on the hamster how quick this stage is but you should be able to pick him up easily fairly soon - bearing in mind that until fully hand tame they can still “ping “ (wriggle free and leap 2 feet in the air) so always handle him low over something soft.

Some people set up a playpen area and put his in and/or sit in it as well and they climb on you and get used to you.

A bit of patience now means you have a very tame hamster long term. Maybe 2 or 3 times a week and in between leave him to do his own thing. Some hamsters never do like being held for long and like to be off, but may sit for a stroke for a couple of minutes and at least don’t run away and can be picked up if necessary.
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Old 02-01-2020, 04:27 AM   #10
Benefitsben
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Default Re: Taming help/advice?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
Have you tried brown linseeds or a sunflower or pumpkin seed? They are healthy treats and hamsters like them.
I don't have any of these rn, but ik he likes sunflower seeds as they're one of the 1st things to dissapp from his food mix lmao. I'm currently on the hunt for sunflower seeds with the shells on, but no luck as of yet :( I have ones without the shells, but the shelled ones help to wear down their teeth iirc which is useful as he has so far showed no interest in any of his chews lol
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