Hello! New with a nippy dwarf hamster!

[hlyons]

Hello,
I'm new to the hamster world, over the weekend I got a little hybrid dwarf hamster from the pet store. She seems very happy in her cage, she's eating and drinking well and playing on the wheel I got her. She's pretty active several times during the day and then at night too.
I'm trying to get her used to being handled, and she isn't as skittish when I try to stroke her anymore, but anytime I put my hands on the floor of the cage to see if she will climb on them and maybe let me get her accustomed to being held she nips me. I feel like she's just mistaking my fingers for food, she does seem to chew everything that she comes into contact with, but it does hurt! I'm not sure how to discourage the nipping and get her to the place where I can hold her...any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi and welcome to HC.
You've only just got her, so let her settle in, everything is new to her. Be sure to talk to her, even if she's not in view, hearing your voice and getting use to your smell will help her settle. You could try the tissue trick, get some unscented toilet paper stuff it up your sleeves and leave for a couple of hours, tear it up and place in her cage, this will help her get familiar with your scent. Add a bit everyday after it's been up your sleeve and add to the cage, I do this for a week.

[cypher]

Welcome to HC & congrats on your new ham!
It sounds as though she's settling in well as you've only had her a few days, a little bit of nipping is normal behaviour, it's just one way of exploring new things, some hams, more often females can get a bit territorial about their cages though & aren't too keen on hands in their territory! You'll probably find that when you start out of cage taming she will be less inclined to nip you & if she continues to do it in the cage then it's better to keep your hand out of the cage other than doing essentials like food & water or spot cleaning & keep interaction to out of cage time.
Don't be in too much of a hurry to try & hold her or pick her up, begin by letting her walk onto your hand, using a treat like a sunflower seed or mealworm will help with that, & let her get used to that stage before you begin to lift or hold her.

[hlyons]

Thanks for the advice! I followed the tips you all suggested and have been able to handle her!