Dwarf hamster keeps biting me

[b_sunny]

I got my hamster from a breeder 5 months ago, and did the taming process (leaving her alone and such). She's sweet and active, but recently I realized I might have done something wrong.

She used to bite me really hard out of fear, but after a while finally gets used to with me and no longer scared. The thing is, I often come near her when I want to give her food or snacks. Whenever I put my hand in the cage she will approach it and nibbles, then I give her snacks. Until one day, she bit me pretty hard to bleed. That time I thought she wanted snacks, so I give her one. It's been almost a month now.. she always bites me softly every time I come near, and bites me if I don't give her food.

I fear that in a way I "trained" her to bite me to get food.. how should I deal with her, can I retrain her?

[Eline]

Hi!
Have you tried washing your hands before you go in his cage? He maybe smells some food on your hands. I hope he stops biting soon.

Love,

Eline

[Ria P]

Hi and welcome to HC!

I would take her out of her cage and place her in a secure area. If you can't pick her up then let her walk into a mug or jug, put a treat in it if needed and cover it so she can't jump out, to get her out of her cage.

I'd let her walk around on your lap/legs while you are sitting somewhere safe so she can get used to you without connecting you with food and treats while you stroke and talk to her. Take it from there and hopefully she'll start interacting with you without biting.

It does sound like you are rewarding her for biting but saying that, i have a dwarf who bites soon as he sees a finger or hand in his cage with or without treat, makes no difference to him. He happily bites me when he's in his playpen too so its not just a cage thing.
He doesn't bite my legs when he runs around on them and i can stroke him without getting bitten or snapped at.

Yes, i'd try a different approach by taking her out of her cage.

Do you make sure that your hamster always has food available to her? Could she get angry when you don't have food in your hand because she's hungry? Just a thought.

[Stella Maris]

Hi b_sunny,
My dwarf is similar to Ria P's, and my solution is the same. I'm very cautious when I put my hand in my Cambell's cage.
I put a hamster ball in to scoop him out, then put him in my lap to pet him. When I want to put him back in his bin, I give him something (besides me!) to chew on, then transport him back via my hands or the ball.
He's still fun to watch, and I take him out for 'lap time' at least every other day to try to keep him tame-ish. He lets me pet him while he's in my lap, or when he's got his mouth full.

[b_sunny]

Hi Eline, Ria P, and Stella Marris, thank you for your replies.

Have you tried washing your hands before you go in his cage? He maybe smells some food on your hands. I hope he stops biting soon.

Hmm I usually wash my hands with soap before and after dealing with her, so I think that's not the reason. Yes I really hope so ><

I would take her out of her cage and place her in a secure area. If you can't pick her up then let her walk into a mug or jug, put a treat in it if needed and cover it so she can't jump out, to get her out of her cage.

I'd let her walk around on your lap/legs while you are sitting somewhere safe so she can get used to you without connecting you with food and treats while you stroke and talk to her. Take it from there and hopefully she'll start interacting with you without biting.

Actually I'm kinda used to being bitten by her that when she bites my finger I often just scoop her with my other hand and hold her. The thing is, she's really calm on my palms, she even lets me stroke her. I've seen videos about people playing with their hamsters but never really did it myself because I never hamsterproof my room. But after this I'll try to so she can roam around safely.

It does sound like you are rewarding her for biting but saying that, i have a dwarf who bites soon as he sees a finger or hand in his cage with or without treat, makes no difference to him. He happily bites me when he's in his playpen too so its not just a cage thing.
He doesn't bite my legs when he runs around on them and i can stroke him without getting bitten or snapped at.

Yes, i'd try a different approach by taking her out of her cage.

Do you make sure that your hamster always has food available to her? Could she get angry when you don't have food in your hand because she's hungry? Just a thought.

That's interesting.. No, I don't Every morning and evening I give her food like her seeds in a dish, but aside from that I don't leave her anything. That makes sense, so then I'll leave some inside for awhile and see if this helps.

My dwarf is similar to Ria P's, and my solution is the same. I'm very cautious when I put my hand in my Cambell's cage.
I put a hamster ball in to scoop him out, then put him in my lap to pet him. When I want to put him back in his bin, I give him something (besides me!) to chew on, then transport him back via my hands or the ball.
He's still fun to watch, and I take him out for 'lap time' at least every other day to try to keep him tame-ish. He lets me pet him while he's in my lap, or when he's got his mouth full.

I see, I hope this method works for my baby as well. Oh, just want to add that she's also familiar with my family, every so often my parents come in her cage too, but she only bites me

Thanks again for the tips, I hope she eventually stops biting me. And hopefully you're all safe!

[Ria P]

Does your hamster have a Whimzee dog chew to chew on and enrichment like millet sprays to nibble on?
It's their instinct to forage, hoard and nibble, they like to nibble on hay as well or a peanut in the shell. Just wonder if it would help to distract her from nibbling you.

[b_sunny]

She does have a dog chew, the type that's said to be made from meat (but it smells really sweet so I don't give her anymore) and crocks (specifically versele laga complete crock - carrot) which is given once or twice a week. She also has an apple stick, wooden houses, and bridge, I wonder if it's enough?