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Natasha95 · 06-02-2020, 01:26 AM

It took me about 6 months to bond with my dwarf hamster, so I understand the frustration. I think female hamsters are just more independent. Just keep trying. Maybe take her out more, sit with her, and get her used to interacting with you without associating you with just food.

But you also said she isn't afraid of you, so maybe she's perfectly content with the relationship you have now, and it's possible that this is as bonded as you're ever going to be. She might just hate being held, and it has nothing to do with you or anything you're doing wrong. As long as you have a system for picking her up when you have to (which it seems like you do), I think you're good! But since she seems unhappy, I would take her out more. Maybe she'll bond with you more if she associates you with the happiness of playtime outside of her cage every night. My Syrian hamster was super adventurous and loved free roaming, and the more freedom I gave him (in terms of time outside his cage), the more we bonded.

06-02-2020, 01:26 AM
Natasha95 Hamster Pup Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: New England (U.S.) Posts: 140	Re: Please help! Can’t bond with my hamster It took me about 6 months to bond with my dwarf hamster, so I understand the frustration. I think female hamsters are just more independent. Just keep trying. Maybe take her out more, sit with her, and get her used to interacting with you without associating you with just food. But you also said she isn't afraid of you, so maybe she's perfectly content with the relationship you have now, and it's possible that this is as bonded as you're ever going to be. She might just hate being held, and it has nothing to do with you or anything you're doing wrong. As long as you have a system for picking her up when you have to (which it seems like you do), I think you're good! But since she seems unhappy, I would take her out more. Maybe she'll bond with you more if she associates you with the happiness of playtime outside of her cage every night. My Syrian hamster was super adventurous and loved free roaming, and the more freedom I gave him (in terms of time outside his cage), the more we bonded.