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Old 04-20-2021, 02:07 PM   #1
wendybear
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: England
Posts: 39
Question Biting hamster? Help!?

Hi,
If you’ve seen my other post, i recently got my new hamster Her name is Wendy and she’s not used to being handled yet so i’ve slowly introduced my hand into the cage. I’ve done it twice now, both times with a treat in my hand, and she’s sniffed me and then bitten me. How do i get her to stop doing this? I’ve got her a new, bigger cage and i want to move her, can i do this without picking her up?
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Old 04-20-2021, 02:44 PM   #2
Dodo
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 121
Default Re: Biting hamster? Help!?

Hello!

You do not need to pick her up, you can use a mug or any small container and put a treat in it, she’ll just walk in. Maybe you need to get her used to your hand in the cage without offering a treat, just cleaning her sandbath, changing her water etc. Hopefully she will learn to trust you and stop biting. In the meantime, a good pair of garden gloves can prove super useful ��. Finally, maje sure your hands do not smell of food, and get her used to your scent by rubbing toilet paper in your hands and leaving it her cage. Good luck
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Old 04-20-2021, 03:07 PM   #3
Ria P
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Biting hamster? Help!?

I've read your other thread and remember that you only just got your hamster.
Wendy is probably scared and insecure because she hasn't had time to settle in yet. A hand in her cage so early on can be seen as a threat and a frightened hamster may well bite.

To move her you'd have to put a treat in a jug or something and then wait till she walks in, cover it and then put her in a transport box while you move all her things over to the new cage. Let her walk from the transport box into the big cage when everything is set up and ready. I'd try and be as quick as possible so she won't get too stressed while in the box.

Once moved i'd leave her to settle in for a week or so and only talk to her so she gets used to your voice and smell. Try feeding her a treat with your fingers through the bars if you like and she may take it.

People have different ways of taming hamsters and a lot depends on the hamster's personality. I don't put my hand in the cage because many hamsters are territorial and don't like it but a lot of people use this approach and it works for them. I prefer to tame a hamster out of their cage on neutral ground once they've had a chance to settle into their new habitats and make themselves at home.

Don't worry though because you will get there but it can take a bit of time for a new hamster to become confident around humans.
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Old 04-20-2021, 03:51 PM   #4
wendybear
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: England
Posts: 39
Default Re: Biting hamster? Help!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodo View Post
Hello!

You do not need to pick her up, you can use a mug or any small container and put a treat in it, she’ll just walk in. Maybe you need to get her used to your hand in the cage without offering a treat, just cleaning her sandbath, changing her water etc. Hopefully she will learn to trust you and stop biting. In the meantime, a good pair of garden gloves can prove super useful ��. Finally, maje sure your hands do not smell of food, and get her used to your scent by rubbing toilet paper in your hands and leaving it her cage. Good luck
Thank you I have put my hand in her cage to change food, put new things in etc and she seems to just watch me and then get on with whatever she was doing before, its just when i put a treat on my hand and let her come to me that she bites. I will move her into her new cage using that method though, thanks!
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Old 04-20-2021, 04:00 PM   #5
wendybear
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: England
Posts: 39
Default Re: Biting hamster? Help!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
I've read your other thread and remember that you only just got your hamster.
Wendy is probably scared and insecure because she hasn't had time to settle in yet. A hand in her cage so early on can be seen as a threat and a frightened hamster may well bite.

To move her you'd have to put a treat in a jug or something and then wait till she walks in, cover it and then put her in a transport box while you move all her things over to the new cage. Let her walk from the transport box into the big cage when everything is set up and ready. I'd try and be as quick as possible so she won't get too stressed while in the box.

Once moved i'd leave her to settle in for a week or so and only talk to her so she gets used to your voice and smell. Try feeding her a treat with your fingers through the bars if you like and she may take it.

People have different ways of taming hamsters and a lot depends on the hamster's personality. I don't put my hand in the cage because many hamsters are territorial and don't like it but a lot of people use this approach and it works for them. I prefer to tame a hamster out of their cage on neutral ground once they've had a chance to settle into their new habitats and make themselves at home.

Don't worry though because you will get there but it can take a bit of time for a new hamster to become confident around humans.
Thank you She does take a treat from my fingers through the cage and will sit there and eat it in front of me. I will use that method to move her into her new cage soon though as its bigger! I will also look into buying a playpen for her so she can come out of her cage for some bonding instead.
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Old 04-21-2021, 06:48 AM   #6
Petite
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Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Scotland
Posts: 501
Default Re: Biting hamster? Help!?

Another thing that may help - particularly if you are trying to handle her - is to rub your hands in the substrate of her cage before you touch her, and she may see your hands as less of a threat. My ham used to bite me at first, so I used to do this, and also switched to washing my hands with unscented soap before handling her so there was nothing that might have smelt like something worth investigating and biting. She's around 15 months now, and I can't remember when she last bit me as it's quite a while ago now. Hang in there, and I'm sure Wendy will bite less when she's been with you a bit longer.
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Old 04-21-2021, 07:55 AM   #7
wendybear
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: England
Posts: 39
Default Re: Biting hamster? Help!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Petite View Post
Another thing that may help - particularly if you are trying to handle her - is to rub your hands in the substrate of her cage before you touch her, and she may see your hands as less of a threat. My ham used to bite me at first, so I used to do this, and also switched to washing my hands with unscented soap before handling her so there was nothing that might have smelt like something worth investigating and biting. She's around 15 months now, and I can't remember when she last bit me as it's quite a while ago now. Hang in there, and I'm sure Wendy will bite less when she's been with you a bit longer.
Hmm okay, i’ll try that! Thank you
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