Biting hamster..

matt_m · 09-07-2007, 03:04 PM

Hey, i'm matt & new here!

I was just wondering if anybody had advice in regards to my new hamster. I have kept syrian hamsters in the past although this was a few years ago. I never had any temperamental/behavioral problems with this hamster however, so i'm not really sure what to do. And being more of a gerbil owner for a long time now, i have never been bitten by a gerbil.

Anyway, i got my new hamster (now named Bongo) about a week ago. I gave him a few days to settle in and then began to handle him on a daily basis when he was awake. He has been fine up until today. I saw that he was awake early this morning, so i picked him up in the usual way. He was ok at first but after a few seconds gave me quite a serious bite for such a young hamster which drew blood. As i panicked, i quickly handed him over to my mum so i could go and put my hand under the tap. After a few seconds he did the exact same thing to my mum whilst she was taking him back to his cage.

I must say that nothing has changed until now and i don't know if it's just that, maybe he has settled in and his true colours are showing through? I certainly hope not but you do hear of bad tempered pet store hammies. Any ideas on how i can get him friendly? I am now quite worried to handle him as the bites have very much put me off.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't want him just to be left in his tank and not receive the human interaction he needs. I am worried however that i will be bitten again. He is himself in every other way..oh and no, my hands didn't smell of food!

Thanks

souffle · 09-08-2007, 01:23 AM

He is still very new Matt and it does take some time for them to settle. I would say that. when they are up in daytime, it is usaully just for a quick wee and a snack and drink and they are normally very drowsy. I would imagine he got a fright when you took him out and became disorientated and bit you in fright. Probably the same with your mum as he would have been better put back to recover from his fright. Some hamsters take longer to tame than others and he is probably one of those. Start right from the start with him as if he were brand new again and I am sure he will soon gain his confidence and be a happy tame hammy. You never know what frights they may have had before you get them so be kind and patient. I know it is hard when you just want cuddles with a new pet but it will pay off in the end. Hamsters are not born vicious. There is always a cause and some need a more gentle. slower approach than others.
Here is a link to taming
http://www.hamstercentral.com/user.php? ... ticle&a=44

matt_m · 09-08-2007, 03:44 AM

Thanks souffle. I guess that could be it...the thought did enter my mind but i disregarded it because firstly i normally handle him at this time without probs (early morning) and also he didn't bite me straight away, but a little while after i had taken him out. But yeah it is definitely a possibility.

Thanks for the link.

I will continue to handle him, maybe evenings instead from now on. Maybe he was just having an off day. My mum is more happy to handle him now than myself...the bite didn't bother her that much

suga · 09-08-2007, 09:27 AM

Welcome to you - it is always really off putting when you get bitten and I know how you feel. I was terrified of being bitten when I first started looking after hamsters again and remember wearing thick gloves to reduce the feel of teeth.

The info Souffle has given is great and I hope that you find the little one will settle and become relaxed once more about coming out for a visit.

When I get mine out now they climb into a basket and then are handled, I also sometimes use a tube for them to climb up to come out in. Thinking about it I tend to let it be their choice too. If they want to come out they tend to stand by the door to the cage and climb, squeak etc at me - so I know they want to visit.

Hope you don't loose heart and that you enjoy your new hamster.

Basia · 09-08-2007, 09:51 AM

Hi Matt and welcome to the forum. Poor you, it's not fun being bitten.
I found Souffle's article very handy when my first hamster started biting. I get 3 of my 5 out of their cages via their balls and then let them walk out of the ball onto my lap. Sometimes they don't get in the ball and if that is the case I leave them until later and try again but sometimes they just don't want to come out.
Good luck

matt_m · 09-08-2007, 11:52 AM

Thanks everyone

.

He is on his wheel now but erm i think i will give it a bit longer before getting him out

I always put cardboard tubes in his cage and i have in the past used this to get him out, then let him climb onto my hand, although he was normally very reluctant to come out and would just stay in there

. So that didn't really work. I wasn't bitten as i lifted him out of the cage though, it was afterwards when he was just sitting on my palm.

I will carry on handling and keep you all updated with how he is getting on. Thanks again

**babyboos** · 09-28-2007, 06:20 PM

How is it going matt, any progress?

Pouchy · 11-17-2007, 09:21 AM

Wecome, matt (sorry),
My hamster bit me and drew blood within 2 weeks of getting him. For a long time I used to wear thick leather gloves to handle him and he has never bit again. Perhaps you're fingers smelt tasty or he was hacked off that you were messing him about in the morning. Maybe you should handle them when they are fully awake and alert in the evening.