Hamster Central - View Single Post - Proper way to tell a hamster "My finger is not food and your teeth hurt"

cypher · 03-22-2018, 12:08 AM

It does sound like exploratory nibbling rather than biting, it's something a lot of hamsters do as they learn what is & isn't food, also they get to associate hands with treats when we hand feed them so it can take them a little while to figure it out but most just grow out of it.
I wouldn't squeak at him, a gentle no is fine but just move your hand slowly away if it hurts or distract him with a finger from the other hand, try not to react too much & he should stop soon enough.

03-22-2018, 12:08 AM
cypher Dwarf whisperer Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wales UK Posts: 24,789	Re: Proper way to tell a hamster "My finger is not food and your teeth hurt" It does sound like exploratory nibbling rather than biting, it's something a lot of hamsters do as they learn what is & isn't food, also they get to associate hands with treats when we hand feed them so it can take them a little while to figure it out but most just grow out of it. I wouldn't squeak at him, a gentle no is fine but just move your hand slowly away if it hurts or distract him with a finger from the other hand, try not to react too much & he should stop soon enough. __________________ Slave to Zak. Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri ❤️