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Old 07-30-2019, 01:34 AM  
SKB_Hamsters
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 3,190
Default Re: Pretty sure my new Russian dwarf has cage aggression. Wondering if I'm doing the

To me although behaviour looks like aggression it may be due to fear or stress especially as you haven’t had her for long. Some hamsters won’t allow you to place your hand in their cage when they are unsure of you as they are fearing you as a potential danger to them so these behaviours are her way of telling you to leave her be - usually when they learn you aren’t threat they become accepting of your hand in their cage.
With my own experience I found hamster like this often behaviour completely differently outside their cage. However I would leave her alone for a week before starting taming just to give her time to settled into her new cage.

Usually an easy way to pick them up when they are unsure of your hand is using a mug or a cardboard tube - use treats as a way to encourage her to go in, the first few times don’t lift it up and once she starts going in on her own accord raising it slightly. Once you have her out of her cage you can try handling her - you can also use a playpen and sit in their with her so she get more familiar with your scent - and see what she like being handled once she seems more relaxed with your presence.
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