First time owner

L1ttlePaws · 12-12-2019, 11:02 PM

Hi! I'm fairly new here and I just got my first hamster about 4 days ago. She's a super sweet longhaired Syrian who I've named Buttercup. I was wondering when I should start the taming process. She already seems pretty comfortable in her new home and she has gladly taken treats from my hand since the first day. I've heard people say to wait a week or so until you try to begin the process, while others say about 3 days. What's your opinion?

Ithuviel · 12-13-2019, 01:18 AM

Congratulations on your hamster. If she is taking treats i think that she is ready. But i will leave the more experienced owners to advise you better.

L1ttlePaws · 12-13-2019, 01:31 AM

Thank you! I think I'll wait for another day or two just to make sure she's feeling as comfortable as possible

chloeeruth98 · 12-13-2019, 08:47 AM

Congratulations on becoming a hammy mum! To be honest, it does sound like she's ready for taming. You've done a great job already; lots of people try to rush the process or grab their hammy out of the cage too early and traumatise their hamster. My personal opinion would be that waiting 3 days applies to more confident outgoing hamsters like Buttercup, and a week would be necessary for shyer, more timid hamsters.

The next step to taming Buttercup would be to work on stroking her, and once she's comfortable with you doing that, then try tempting her inside a mug with a seed, a tiny little cube of carrot or a crumb of freeze-dried (no added sugar) banana. Once she's inside, just try gently lifting the mug, and feed her another treat whilst still holding the mug above the cage. See if she'll let you stroke her gently. The next day, you can try taking her in the mug to either a bathtub lined with a clean blanket, or a secure run, for a few minutes. This is when you can begin practising cupping your hands around her and lifting her just a couple cm off the ground in your hands (no higher as hamsters can be pretty skittish and jumpy to begin with). Victoria Raechel is a brill YouTuber who has a great video on hamster taming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2l-JbBjX4g

Engel · 12-13-2019, 02:45 PM

3 days to a week is pretty standard but all honestly it depends on the hamster. By the sounds of it, she's d coded she's really to interact with you! The fact she's taking food from your hand is fantastic! I second the Victoria Rachel vids

L1ttlePaws · 12-13-2019, 05:15 PM

Thank you all so much! I will definitely check out the video!