Is it possible to tame a year old hamster

Catja · 02-19-2008, 11:32 AM

Is it possible to tame a year old hamster that has had very little if any handling?

Basia · 02-19-2008, 11:42 AM

I am sure you can tame an older hamster but it may take a bit longer than taming a baby and it may never be as tame as it could have been. I took on a female years ago who had never been tamed and she never was happy being picked up but would walk out of her door into her ball and loved to be stroked and fed. A bit like Basil really but I had him since he was a baby.

Come to think of it Basil doesn't do stroking either.

Would the hamster you are thinking of be a cream by any chance?

Catja · 02-19-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basia

Would the hamster you are thinking of be a cream by any chance?

Well

I feel so sorry for him, I asked whether we could compromise and I would give the money for him to charity instead of the shop, they said they would have to ask the boss. They can't quite see why I would be interested in him, and said I would probably need gloves as a hamster that big might bite viciously and he was well over a year old.

You see the thing is I've noticed that as soon as you go near the cage he comes out and is really interested in you, the assistant said, he is always fascinated by the water bottle, he isn't, its just that that is the only hole he can smell you through.

I think he looks utterly frustrated and bored, he has a large cage but still nothing in it.

souffle · 02-19-2008, 12:15 PM

I think as he has been 'socialised' in that he has seen lots of people and must have been taken out for cleaning etc he would tame quite easily. Look at Desi now and the little boy is not a huge amount older. Even if you did need gloves to start with I feel with time and patience he would get there. It is a big decision Catya and I wish you well in making it.

Basia · 02-19-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catja

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basia

Would the hamster you are thinking of be a cream by any chance?

Well

Thought so.

[quote:sztokyn8]They can't quite see why I would be interested in him, and said I would probably need gloves as a hamster that big might bite viciously and he was well over a year old.

[/quote:sztokyn8]

I've never known a hamster be able to resist going into an ice-cream box or exercise ball so you could manage him without gloves.

I think most hamsters will tame with love and patience. There are always exceptions - my Basil for instance. I have tried and failed to tame Basil and now just accept that he doesn't want to be handled.

newtohamsters · 02-19-2008, 01:02 PM

I think you could tame a year old hamster and certainly give it a better life then living in a pet shop.

I have had rescue rats who weren't tame but they are pretty much lovely now. Harry loathes being picked up but he just grunts and doesn't struggle.

good luck

Catja · 02-19-2008, 01:34 PM

I was looking at him today and although he's cream he appears to have faint traces of cheek flashes and is a sort of sandy colour, but he is bigger than Desi

Mollz · 02-19-2008, 01:40 PM

I'm sure that with time and patience it should be possible to tame him. After all, a baby petshop hamster could even be as hard or harder to tame. It's just the luck of the draw.

Let us know if/when you get him!

Holly · 02-19-2008, 04:06 PM

I have read several stories of people who have rescued older hamsters who've had minimal handling, Catja - and all seemed to go ok if I remember rightly. He may well be so happy with a new, flashy cage and toys plus nice food he may well realise what you are doing for him anyway - look at Desi! You've done so well with him, I'm sure you could do it with this guy as well.

Far be it for me to be encouraging you or anything

Hanlou · 02-20-2008, 03:54 AM

Aw Catja, I hope you can work something out....

As for taming...... although I don't have much experience with hamsters, I have certainly rehomed older nervous, bitey rats a few times, and with patience (and treats!

) they always came round. A few remained territorial until their dying day but were fine outside the cage.

I don't think Herbert had had a lot of handling for a while before I got him, but he's lovely. I find it hard to believe that Tinkerbell had much handling for a while before she was rehomed too yet she is as friendly as can be.

Will wait for the 'result' of this post with baited breath! :P

Surely it's in everyone's best interests - the shop and the hamster's - to let him go to you.