Hamster Central - View Single Post - Struggling to get Syrian used to being handled

Ria P · 03-26-2021, 07:28 AM

Hi and welcome to HC!
Congratulations to your new hamster,

Please don't put him in a hamster ball to let him run around in it. This is dangerous and of no benefit to the hamster. A large playpen or hamster proof area is far better. People often think that a hamster enjoys a hamster ball because they walk into it and run in it but it's more likely that they desperately try to get out of it. Their toes can get caught in the small gaps and there is not enough ventilation. They can't use their senses and can't see or smell anything. They are trapped.
A hamster ball is fine as a safe means of transport though.

Bathtub taming didn't work with my Syrians either because they hated it and i stopped it after the first session. I'm not sure what exactly it is they dislike so much about a bathtub.

I found a method that did work but you need a safe area that's big enough for you to sit down with your hamster. Something like a hall with the doors closed is ideal, a very large playpen or part of a room you can hamster proof.

I started off by taking them out and placing them on my lap with a few treats but kept sessions short at first. Then moved on to stroking while they were eating for a few sessions. Then i cupped my hand around their body briefly but let go again for a few sessions. They tried to shake me off at first or whipped their heads round to see what was happening. That's quite normal. Once they tolerated that i lifted them up and gradually increased the height. Then moved on to pick up exercises. I'd pick them up and put them down, they'd run off and just before they were going to run off my legs i'd pick them up and put them down at starting point. Bit of a game and the reward was freedom, when i let them run off my legs to run and sniff around in the safe area i was sitting in.
When picking up a hamster it's important to talk to them and when they are not on you, like on your lap or legs where they can smell you, to make sure they can see you.
I got bitten by a tame hamster once because i quietly, quickly and very stupidly picked him up from behind. He didn't know it was me so felt threatened and turned his head round and bit. Even now i never grab them suddenly and unannounced but make sure they can see me while i call their names.

Also keep in mind that not all hamsters want to come out of their cages every day and they need to be fully awake for taming sessions.
I do have one hamster who does not like to get picked up but he doesn't want any human contact at all, never asks to come out of his cage and doesn't even go near his door. He's not shy or scared and carries on with whatever he's doing even with my hands in his cage cleaning something. I'm allowed to stroke him twice but that's his limit. Any more and he'll dive down the nearest hole not to be seen again for ages.

I don't think that's the case with your hamster though because he takes treats and lets you stroke him.

Every hamster has a different personality and a lot depends on that but you will get to know each other as time goes on.

You'll get there. It's just a matter of finding a method that works for your hamster.

03-26-2021, 07:28 AM
Ria P House of Hamsters Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 7,103	Re: Struggling to get Syrian used to being handled Hi and welcome to HC! Congratulations to your new hamster, Please don't put him in a hamster ball to let him run around in it. This is dangerous and of no benefit to the hamster. A large playpen or hamster proof area is far better. People often think that a hamster enjoys a hamster ball because they walk into it and run in it but it's more likely that they desperately try to get out of it. Their toes can get caught in the small gaps and there is not enough ventilation. They can't use their senses and can't see or smell anything. They are trapped. A hamster ball is fine as a safe means of transport though. Bathtub taming didn't work with my Syrians either because they hated it and i stopped it after the first session. I'm not sure what exactly it is they dislike so much about a bathtub. I found a method that did work but you need a safe area that's big enough for you to sit down with your hamster. Something like a hall with the doors closed is ideal, a very large playpen or part of a room you can hamster proof. I started off by taking them out and placing them on my lap with a few treats but kept sessions short at first. Then moved on to stroking while they were eating for a few sessions. Then i cupped my hand around their body briefly but let go again for a few sessions. They tried to shake me off at first or whipped their heads round to see what was happening. That's quite normal. Once they tolerated that i lifted them up and gradually increased the height. Then moved on to pick up exercises. I'd pick them up and put them down, they'd run off and just before they were going to run off my legs i'd pick them up and put them down at starting point. Bit of a game and the reward was freedom, when i let them run off my legs to run and sniff around in the safe area i was sitting in. When picking up a hamster it's important to talk to them and when they are not on you, like on your lap or legs where they can smell you, to make sure they can see you. I got bitten by a tame hamster once because i quietly, quickly and very stupidly picked him up from behind. He didn't know it was me so felt threatened and turned his head round and bit. Even now i never grab them suddenly and unannounced but make sure they can see me while i call their names. Also keep in mind that not all hamsters want to come out of their cages every day and they need to be fully awake for taming sessions. I do have one hamster who does not like to get picked up but he doesn't want any human contact at all, never asks to come out of his cage and doesn't even go near his door. He's not shy or scared and carries on with whatever he's doing even with my hands in his cage cleaning something. I'm allowed to stroke him twice but that's his limit. Any more and he'll dive down the nearest hole not to be seen again for ages. I don't think that's the case with your hamster though because he takes treats and lets you stroke him. Every hamster has a different personality and a lot depends on that but you will get to know each other as time goes on. You'll get there. It's just a matter of finding a method that works for your hamster.