How can I get marmite use to me ?

[jackhorn12]

Marmite is a 7-8 week old syrian hamster. I got him yesterday, I've had many hamsters in the past. But they all let me hold them straight away, Marmite doesn't bite, but he let's me stroke him and hold him for a few seconds then he'll run off. How can I get him use to me ? thanks Marmite.jpg

[kyrilliondaemon]

Just keep holding him for a second or two and slowly build the time up from there

[cypher]

If you only got him yesterday he still needs time to settle in, some take longer than others so don't try to rush him.
Put a tissue up your sleeve for a while then put that in the cage so he gets more used to your scent, after a day or two if he seems happy with it put your hand in the cage & let him come to you, if he runs off at first just let him, talk to him a lot & he'll gradually get braver & be happy to spend more time with you.

[jackhorn12]

Thanks guys, he lets me stroke him now and it's day 3 of having him now. I spend about 20-30 mins a day next to his cage speaking to him etc.

[Thin Lizzy]

Some hams need a bit longer to settle, you've only had him 3 days.
Do the tissue trick that Cypher mentioned, this is really great for your ham to get use to and recognise your smell. Keep talking, make it that you speak to him whenever you pass near his cage, even if it's a hello or good morning, they love being spoken to.
Try not to clean out his cage for at least another couple of weeks, they like to mark their territory. Do daily spot checks.
When you do clean out his cage, make sure you keep some of his old substrate and bedding to mix in with the new, this let's them still smell their scent and will make the cage clean less stressful.

[Pebbles82]

It can take a bit of time, all hamsters are different. This video has lots of tips on taming and getting your hamster used to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2l-JbBjX4g