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Old 01-22-2017, 04:29 PM   #1
Spunkys_Owner
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Question Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

Hello All Hamster People!
I have just been wondering this question ever since I thought of getting a hamster, and I'm not sure on the answer. I'm not sure if I can really, fully tame my dwarf, Spunky. He doesn't really like being handled, even when he was tame. I don't think many dwarfs do. I have a way to transport him from his cage to his playpen, although I can't hold him. Can hamsters that are not tamed still have a happy life?

Last edited by Spunkys_Owner; 01-22-2017 at 04:30 PM. Reason: typing mistake
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Old 01-22-2017, 04:37 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

That's a good question. I think they can. If they enjoy their environment, have plenty of enrichment, a good diet and thinks to explore and do in their cage. I think they will know who you are, even if they aren't handleable, because your scent will become familiar, as the provider of food.

I think if they're not tame they can miss out on out of cage time a little bit, and handling - but not necessarily as it's still possible to transport them to a playpen area in a tube or ball without handling, where they can run around and explore with supervision.

I do think it is generally thought that dwarf hamsters are harder to hand tame than Syrians - but a lot depends on the individual personality of the hamster.

Quite a lot of hamsters aren't keen on being handled, even when tame, but they can still build trust in you - they're just a bit independent and don't like sitting still Our Syrian is very tame but still doesn't like being held. He will accept being picked up for a minute and then he wants to be off. He will sometimes sit in the crook of my arm to be stroked but it's like it's a concession for 2 or 3 minutes then he wants to go and sit somewhere cosy on his own.

So it sounds like your hammy is tame but doesn't like being handled. On the other hand, if they're not handled regularly they can get a bit untame and wild again. You could try sitting in the playpen with him and just letting him run over you, to keep familiarity of your presence and scent, as that is part of the trust bond.

Keep his life interesting - scattering some food to forage, hidey places, things to sit under and on (eg a shelf), tubes and tunnels, a good house for a big nest and he'll be mostly happy doing hamstery things. But keeping that contact and talking to them helps I think.

There are quite a few youtube videos on taming dwarf hammies I think, which might help. But if he will take seeds from the palm of your hand, that is still fairly tame
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Old 01-22-2017, 04:39 PM   #3
Drago
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

Hamsters can totally have a good life without being tamed! This is especially true if your hamster doesn't wish to be tamed, it would be kinder to respect their wishes and to leave them be than to force affection upon them when they don't want it. Hamsters are not like cats or dogs in that they don't crave human attention. They are domesticated and bred to tolerate and trust humans, but can live a perfectly normal life without human interference. Just make sure he gets plenty of toys and stimulation, and lots of out of cage time
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Old 01-22-2017, 06:15 PM   #4
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

I completely agree with Serendipity here. As long as they live in a fun, enriching environment, they should be just fine! Good luck!
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Old 01-23-2017, 02:38 AM   #5
Lilac_Dreams
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

An untame hamster can live very happily! At the moment I have a 2 year old chinese hamster that is untame, a just over 6 month old Syrian Hamster that is untame and a newer Syrian hamster that is untame.

My 2 year old Chinese has been through all the methods in her life to tame her and she wants nothing to do with it. She is a happy little bunny in her cage.

Of course depending on the level of untameness, it would be better to tame them or at least try to. If your Hamster gets stressed and is scared of humans then simple things like a water change or giving food can stress them, let alone cage cleaning.

There is also the stress of going to the vet if the hamster needs it.
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Old 01-23-2017, 04:56 AM   #6
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

Some hams are hard to tame. But, do live happily.
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Old 01-23-2017, 05:00 AM   #7
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

I think there are degrees of tameness & different ham characteristics, don't confuse a ham that doesn't enjoy cuddles & handling with an untame ham, it sounds as though you've made some progress with your ham so slowly & steadily try to get him to the point where brief handling sessions aren't too stressful, it does help if you can do that so as not to stress them unduly if you need to hold them for health checks etc.
If he doesn't enjoy cuddles or being handled for long that's fine, he can still have a very happy life both in & out of his cage.
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Old 01-23-2017, 05:18 AM   #8
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

The answer is YES! I`ve had quiet a few who never loved the idea of being handled and taking them to a vet on the odd occasion was more stressful for me than the hamster! And once there, the hamster acted normally and sat in my hand. So don`t feel negative about allowing him to be what he wants to be. Good sized cage, good wheel, good diet and peace and quiet to sleep and play is all they require. I like Roborovski hamsters for this matter as they are quite independent little chaps and are so speedy anyway it can be a liability trying to hold one!

Being with them while they run around and offering a few seeds from your hand etc....are all stimulation. Even when I kept my mice, I always allowed them to come to me, but play amongst themselves. Some people will say no, you have to attempt to tame them and to a certain degree, I think that`s fine as long as it doesn`t become overkill and the hamster becomes a toy, which they definitely are not. They like their own company.

Enjoy your wee one for what he is and just go with it. x
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Old 01-23-2017, 05:50 AM   #9
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

my syrian doesnt like being held for long but in his cage he follows my hand around, let me stroke him and he takes treats off me. when i got a new nondrip water bottle he couldnt work it so i showed him and he licked the drop of water off my finger. i think he is tame just likes his own space
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Old 01-23-2017, 06:08 PM   #10
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Default Re: Can Untamed Hamsters be Happy?

I think they can be happy with an appropriate sized cage and plenty of activities/enrichment without being tame.

I had a total wild Syrian in the sense that she was highly aggressive in and out of the cage/tank, in spite of trying various taming methods. She wouldn't even take food from me. She wouldn't hide. She would always rather attack. I decided to stop trying. She would get in a ball to be transferred from her cage/tank to a playpen or hallway to run around and play though.

I had 4 Syrians at the time(1 male and 3 females) as three were tame I felt the one that wasn't was just down to her preference/personality and respected that.
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