Best way to pick up a Syrian?

[sophiedoe]

Hello,

What is the best way to pick up a Syrian? In my case, for the first time! I have had varied advice from scooping them up from below with both hands, picking them up like a computer mouse and wrapping your fingers around under their belly. What do people consider to be the best?

Thanks!

[Rads]

I pick Pip up from above when getting her out of the cage, but when she is out and about I tend to scoop her up, that way if she is hanging on to something you won't damage her nails or paws, I think it is also less stress for her, though she is so used to me she comes when called..

[sophiedoe]

Thanks! I'm quite nervous I'm going to scare her/get bitten, but I know I need to just do it at some point.

[Rads]

Originally Posted by sophiedoe

Thanks! I'm quite nervous I'm going to scare her/get bitten, but I know I need to just do it at some point.

Sophie,
No need to be scared, just don't rush it, make sure your Hammy is fully used to you, if she is happy climbing onto or into your hand then she will probably be ready to be picked up, go about it slowly and positively.

[Drago]

I agree with Rads, I lift Duncan out by grabbing him (allowing him to smell me first so he's fully aware that I'm there) and then quickly putting him into my hand. The key is to be confident! Hesitation gives them time to get away from you. Good luck

[sophiedoe]

Thanks Rads and Drago. I have been giving her food from my fingertips in her cage and have been doing the bath tub trick, sitting in with her. She still doesn't really want to climb on me, maybe I need to do the hand flat in the cage with food on first? I stroked her a bit whilst she was eating in the bath but that is all I have touched her. We've had her just over 3 weeks. I'm not going to miss a "window" of getting her tame, am I?

[Rads]

Sophie,
Make sure the room is hamster safe, open the cage door, pop a treat onto the flat of your hand and hold your hand flat by the open cage door, and be patient and wait for your Hammy to come to you always let the first new contact be on their terms that way they will grow to trust you, three weeks isn't long, don't stress if your hammy nibbles you in tasting or nips you it is normal if they are scared. Good Luck
P.S. have a look on Pippins thread that's Pip's proper name at some of her videos especially the one where she is up my sleeve... That is what you call tame

[Drago]

There is no window of taming to be honest. Really, once they're more than a few weeks old and have yet to be introduced to human hands, that's a missed window. However, most hamsters will tame down with lots of patience and persistence. I've only ever had one hamster who absolutely refused to do anything other than bite. Keep doing what you're doing now, but you can also try having your hand flat in the cage if she seems confident enough for that. Good luck, and if you ever have any other questions, please ask

[Jennie F]

When I started taming Khali, I would hold the ball to the front of the open cage door and let her climb in and use it to carry her over to the sofa. Then i would face the opening towards me with one hand and put the other hand slightly below the opening so she could come out onto my hand. If she didnt want to come out she wouldnt leave the ball. I would carry her back in the ball then put one hand in the cage in front of the ball so she had to climb onto my hand to get out then lower her back into the cage. Now when i take her out, she will usually climb on top of her hay ball and i put my hand out next to that and she climbs on then up my arm. When she is out and about I always scoop her up. When I carry her back to her cage, she is on the palm of my hand with my fingers curved, kind of cupping her. But she rarely stays still so she is usually going between hands on the trip back. I found this gave her confidence, as everything was her choice and she is happy to be handled by anyone as long as they do it the same way.

Good luck with the taming process and bonding with your little ham