New hamster owner, need some advice?

[ForBoo]

Hello there everyone! I just signed up because I'd really like some advice.

My name is Danielle, and my new Syrian Hamster is called Boo! I'm 22 years old, but Boo is my very first hamster or small pet in general. My mother spotted her in the pet store all on her own, bought her and gave her to me. I was shocked, I didn't know my mother was going to do this, but I loved her instantly.

I would like some advice with handling her. I have had her for two weeks now, but have not been able to handle her properly. I have managed to get her used to me, my voice, and I am able to stroke her. I make sure I do this every day so she remains used to me.

It is not her fault, I mean - she isn't aggressive or anything like that. She seems to be very sociable and enthusiastic to see me, and gentle. I do worry about scaring her into biting me though, even though she doesnt seem 'nippy' at all, as well as worried about hurting her (I really have not handled a small creature before, and she seems so delicate). I am also worried about her escaping when I try to handle her!

If you have ever read 'Of Mice and Men', I feel like Lennie

Can I have some tips about how to handle her properly, and perhaps some tips on how to make sure she doesnt escape when I handle her? Ideally, I would like to sit down somewhere safe with her (where I could easily get her contained if she tries to escape) and learn to handle her gently, without hurting or scaring her. I have read on the internet that some people suggest using a bathtub for this, and that sounds perfect, but I do not have a big tub. Any other ideas like this would be appreciated!

I would like to bond with her. I know asking these simple questions seems silly, but please keep in mind that I am a very new beginner and I am quite nervous - although she is more confident than me! I want to treat her well and be a good hamster parent.

Thank you very, very much for any tips or suggestions you can give me. Any other tips that you feel appropriate to tell a new owner would be massively appreciated also

[Onion]

You could use a big cardboard box, and place her in that. If you sit on the floor next to it and hold her then she won't have far to fall if she does decide to jump, and the box is there for her to run around in when you are not holding her. To pick all of mine up I gently cup my hands under them and then lift.

I must say my syrian has never jumped, and I don't think they are the jumpy type, but if she seems friendly towards you then I can't see her jumping out of your hands. If you make sure you don't squeeze her at any point then it would be difficult to hurt her, and if you always handle her near the floor or over her cage (until you are confident) then if you did drop her it wouldn't be as bad. They are surprisingly tough little things.

Welcome to the forum

[Mona's Humans]

hi

Firstly well done for seeking advice... there is a WIKI article here that gives amazing advice on taming.

Like onion said a cardboard box is fab - we use a giant one for our recent rescue ham (Pepper) as he is a little jumpy still due to his unsettled beginning, and it works really well, it also means he can begin to enjoy the 'exploring' side of time out of the cage.

When Boo is a little more confident, and you are a little more confident also you can try handling her over your bed a little (still have the box near you though in case you need it to start with) - this is the stage i'm at with Pepper, when he's more confident i'll not need the box for him

It's usual to be nervy of holding small animals if your not used to it, my husband needs me to tame all of our small furries completely before he'll be confident enough to do this, so you aren't alone. As onion said, if you are gentle and don't squeeze, and stay low so she can't jump far its likely to go fine. you could try popping your hands in and lifting him inside his cage a few times to get used to this if you are still struggling.

Remember taming does take time, but it seems like you've gotten a long way already with her letting you stroke her.

Also, welcome to HC we look forward to hearing more from you and Boo, and possibly even seeing pictures

[Holly's Mum]

If she doesn't want to be picked up out of her cage, you could use a small box (like a tissue box) or a tube (loo roll centre etc) which she will probably walk into if you place it beside her. then you can easily pick it up with her inside and transfer her without stressing her out.

[tjherman]

Ditto on the box. That's what I'm using with Cream Cheese, who still is a little jumpy. At first, I had to scootch him into a small box to get him out. Now I can pick him up without having to scoop him. Takes time, but it's so worth it.

[newham]

The box sugessted by others is great but also if you can have your hand resting on the cage when your watching tv or something just so they get used it it, I have started this with Reno my Robo and he comes and sniffs regular, also some seed you can hand feed like pumpkin, almond and sunflower are handy.

[ForBoo]

Thank you every one! The night before last I did have to pick her up one handed to stop an escape attempt when she ran up the door of her cage when I opened it, but I know I squeezed her too hard in my panic She doesn't seem injured at all, but I definitely scared her and will keep a close eye on her. Thankfully she still seems to trust me a little, but I'll take things a bit slower as it must not have been nice for her.

I love the box idea. I got a small, clean box last night and got Boo into it, and held her against my chest. She got a little excited and started trying to climb out and onto me, but I kept close enough to her cage to stop any escape attempts (although she obviously just wanted to explore rather than escape)! Afterwards, she kept running up the bars to me.. I think she really loves the interaction. I can't believe how enthusiastic she is! It's like she's saying "Come on Danielle, get a grip! Cuddle me!". I can't believe how much I love this little creature, either! Heh. I'm wondering why I didn't get hamster years ago. Arn't they awesome?!

Thanks for the other pieces of advice and the wiki page too. I'll use the box idea, and get her and her cage on my bed at night for cuddle-practise times. I think that's the best plan of action. I'd love to be active on the forum when I manage to bond with/start to handle her, and I'll definitely share pictures when I can She's so pretty!