Is my hamster ok?

iRockmyskinnys · 03-07-2011, 12:55 PM

I bought a Syrian hamster a week ago, and she seems pretty chilled out and happy, but when I go near her with my hand he stands up on her back legs and stares at me.then goes into a corner and digs in the sawdust.when I actually try grab her she squeals at me and runs! I've tried offering her food.she just wont let me handle her...

Any tips,is this normal hamster behaviour?

souffle · 03-07-2011, 01:01 PM

This is normal behaviour for an untamed baby hamster. She is very frightened. Imagine if you had never seen a human and suddenly a hand the size of a bed tried to grab you. You would be scared wouldn't you?
Have a look on the WIKI at the article called taming tips and go gently and quietly with her.

mangoandmimi · 03-07-2011, 01:04 PM

i agree... theres no point in rushing taming then it all goes wrong and you have to start from scratch :Px maybe try putting her in a bath or large playpen where she can get used to you gently? or just continue with treats... making sure she sees you when giving it to her

goodluck with taming xx

delbert · 03-07-2011, 01:11 PM

yeah my hammy is exactly the same at the moment. So far ive been offering her a treat and dangling my hand in the cage while she distracted so that she gets used to the smell of me.

1 little baby step at a time

selene16 · 03-07-2011, 01:18 PM

Mines the same as well at the moment, just take it one day at a time. The helping taming guide on the wiki is great as well, I've been using some hints and tops from it, and I can see he is progressing all be it slowly.

Gillzy · 03-07-2011, 01:22 PM

A tip I read for when I put Noodle into the vet to get a lump removed was to sleep or where a tissue in your bra or against your skin somewhere and then that gets the smell of you on the tissue. That was to keep Noodle calm if he was feeling scared, but I'd imagine it'd work the same way for getting them used to your smell. I would just place the tissue in the cage though, don't force them to sleep with it...and they can decide what to do with it.

fluffymunchkins · 03-08-2011, 03:37 PM

Welcome to the forum, love the username!

Doesn't sound unusual for a new hamster

I would suggest trying a method of scooping her up from underneath with two hands, they find this less daunting then a hand picking them up from above (resembles a bird of prey)

Holly's Mum · 03-11-2011, 06:22 AM

I found the best way to pick up Holly at first was to put one of those cardboard loo roll middles in the cage, she would automatically dive into it and I picked it up carefully with her in it (blocking both ends so she didn't fall out) and then move her into the bath to run around.