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Old 07-21-2020, 05:59 AM   #1
HelloTiger
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Unhappy New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

Hello everyone,
We are new hamster owners. We got Tiger a week ago and haven’t taken him out of his cage. I’ve tried placing treats on my hand, and he’ll take the treat but has also nipped at my fingers. He seems curious and stands on the top level if the enclosure and “looks” at us, and my daughter has petted his back with her finger. But he always skitters away to his self-made best of bedding, where’s he’s hoarded a lot of food. He hasn’t gotten on the exercise wheel in his cage, although we’ve rolled it to show him that it works. I don’t know how we’re going to get him out to clean the cage or to put him in a playpen (I think he’s nip us anyway). Help us please!!!
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Old 07-21-2020, 07:46 AM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

Hi,

First of all can I ask what type of hamster you have? This can make a difference.

Also, don't worry when you need to get him out you can get a mug/jug/box anything really that he will climb into - most hamsters cannot resist exploring these - then you can just transport him safely from where ever to where ever you need him to be.

A week is still early days for him to get used to all his new surroundings and noise, so try and be patient, I am sure he will start to get used to you.

What size/make is the wheel? Have you tried putting a bit of food on the top of it to see if it has moved in the night?

Nipping fingers at first can just be a sign of him trying to work out what/who you are. Are you washing your hands before you give him the food?
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Old 07-21-2020, 06:27 PM   #3
HelloTiger
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Default Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

Well, I believe he’s a dwarf, but he could be a Syrian, I’m not certain. The wheel is about eight inches in diameter I’d say, and we’ve placed a chew toy inside it which has never moved. He has a wooden bridge and a sand bath. He is standing on his rear legs a LOT. And I can’t recall if my hands were washed - but I was wearing gloves this morning, at any rate.
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Old 07-21-2020, 10:01 PM   #4
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

If your hamster is a dwarf then an 8 inch wheel should be fine, but for a Syrian they really need an 11 to 12 inch wheel. Are you able to post a pic of your hamster so we can confirm species. This also may help with taming advice. Some dwarfs can be territorial over their cages and be a bit nippy. Also hamsters will still run with treats in their wheel, try placing something on the top of the wheel on the outside and see if it moves.
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Old 07-21-2020, 10:04 PM   #5
cypher
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Default Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

Can you post a photo of your hamster? It would help to know which species you have as behaviour & care is a bit different.
What kind of cage do you have? When you said about the top level I’m wondering if you have a multi level cage, hams need plenty of floor space & deep substrate with not too much height to the cage.
Does the wheel spin freely? Some wheels can be hard for them to use.
A week is still early days, he needs time to settle in still.
As Luna said nipping is usually just exploratory behaviour at this stage & will most likely stop as he gets more used to hands, gloves don’t really help as your ham still won’t get used to hands that way.
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Old 07-22-2020, 12:20 AM   #6
Lemon
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Default Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

I’m not sure about the differences in different hamster types, but my current hamster bit me when I first got her. I scared her by accident by coming up behind her too fast, and she bit me (not hard, just a quick warning to go away). I was worried that she didn’t want anything to do with me, so I gave her some space that day and over the next few days I let her slowly get to know me and see that I was friendly. Ever since the first few weeks, she is extremely friendly and would never bite my hand on purpose. She is more than two years old now and she still gets very excited to see me and to come out of the cage and play with me.

I wouldn’t be too worried if you just got your hamster very recently. I think for most hamsters it’s just a matter of getting to know you and getting used to you handling them.
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Old 07-22-2020, 04:48 AM   #7
HelloTiger
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Default Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

Here are pictures of Tiger and one of his cage. Thanks for the insight and encouragement.
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Old 07-22-2020, 05:52 AM   #8
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

Hi, you have a syrian, very cute.

As he is a syrian he will need a bigger wheel, 11-12 inches, which is maybe why he isn't using his current wheel. It could be uncomfortable for him as it isn't big enough. You need one big enough so his back doesn't arch when running.

I'm not sure how big the cage is, so if there isn't room enough for a correct sized wheel you may need to upgrade the cage as well.

As he is a syrian I am confident in saying the nipping was like I thought, he is just working out what/who you are. If you see signs of him doing it again, just move your hands out the way. He will soon learn. try giving him pieces of food through the bars, then move to the hand inside his cage.

You said he has a playpen, when you feel ready, you could try transferring him to it in a mug etc like I said before and if there is room for one of you to get in with him, that is a good, safe way for him to get used to you. They normally end up using you as a big climbing frame at some point. This is also a good time for him to get used to your hands, you can try and let him climb up on to them, and let him walk from one hand to the other, as he keeps moving, you keep putting your free hand in front of the one he is on, I would build that up to 10 times then let him run free again.

Another thing to try is make your hand into a fist so he can't get your fingers, and just place that in his cage or the run, if he looks like he is going to bite, move it out the way, otherwise let him explore you.

I think these videos may help with what I am trying to explain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XnW...m&index=5&t=0s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCAM...m&index=6&t=0s

Hope this helps.
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Old 07-22-2020, 07:47 AM   #9
HelloTiger
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Default Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

Thank you for all the suggestions. We will keep at it.
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Old 07-29-2020, 08:18 AM   #10
lilyy_hammy
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Smile Re: New hamster nips and doesn’t use wheel

a week is still early for a new hamster, so it’s probably still getting used to a new environment. so, it’s normal to hide for a bit. as for taming, make sure to wash your hands with unscented soap and don’t use any scented lotions and hand soaps before training. another thing you should do is rub your hands in the substrate. this will help stop the nipping. also, make sure you’re using treats and positive reinforcement also, the size of the wheel could be a problem. if the wheel is too small, they will not use it
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