Dandi - New Hamster/Taming ?

[GreySyrian]

Hey everyone, I recently got my first hamster (syrian) and am currently trying to build trust with her.

I've tried offering her treats in her home, she often chatters at first but then stops and pokes her head out although she seems to want to smell me more than take any interest in the treat.

Just now I placed my hand in her cage with a sunflower seed and she came out, she totally ignored my hand and went to her pee corner then her grooming corner (she seems to have allocated actions to certain corners!) and didn't take too much concern for my hand. Is this a good sign?

As for her sniffing would it be best for me to keep my hand completely still so she can sniff or let her sniff with my fingers out of biting distance ...

[mylittlefluffyhamster]

Hey grey Syrian
I have recently got a new Syrian hamster called poppy and as much as I love her she can be really jumpy and this scares me a lite.
all I can tell you is to be confident. I have had many hamsters in the past that haven't been friendy or I have gone onto the other end of the scale where they are super outgoing. maybe try and get a mug or cup let her climb in and then maybe play wit her in either the bath tub or a play pen. let her get to ow you a bit.
[I]let me know how this goes
thanks
mylittlefluffyhamster xx

[Wisper]

Ignoring you is actually a good place to start from, much better than having a hamster who is scared of you.

To get your hamster used to your scent the best way (and risk free to fingers) is to carry around some tissue paper up your sleeve for example for an hour or two then put it in the cage for your hamster to use in their nest. do that for a few days and then move on to offering treats from your hand, by then your ham will have gotten used to your scent as a non threatening thing.

Once they are taking treats you can move on to handling. Use a container like a carry box/ice cream tub and herd your hamster into it. You can then use an enclosed space (a bathtub works best), just sit with your hamster in the bath/on the sofa whatever and let them wander on you. Just use the container when moving the hamster back and forth. Takes a few sessions, I did this for about a week, each night with my latest boy.

The most scary part of handling for a ham is being picked up so try and avoid that until they seem really ok with being around you. Then you can start trying to scoop them up with your hands. If your hamster ever seems to be getting freaked out just go back a step, it takes a bit of patience.

Hope it goes well

[Scargirl]

Originally Posted by Wisper

To get your hamster used to your scent the best way (and risk free to fingers) is to carry around some tissue paper up your sleeve for example for an hour or two then put it in the cage for your hamster to use in their nest. do that for a few days and then move on to offering treats from your hand, by then your ham will have gotten used to your scent as a non threatening thing.

I was going to say the exact same thing, Whisper!

[Thin Lizzy]

The tissue trick is a brilliant way of getting your hamster familiar with your smell. Repeat this several times and talk softly and quietly whenever you're near her cage and whenever she goes about her cage try and praise her. This will help their confidence.

[cypher]

I agree beginning with the tissue trick & just talking to your ham is the best way to go, hams are naturally curious so ignoring is probably a sign she's still a little nervous but not scared enough to run & hide which is a good sign, when you put your hand in the cage just keep it still & wait for her to come to you, it may take a while but she will when she's ready, let her take the treat & as she gets more used to you she may just climb onto your hand.
Each ham goes at their own pace so just take your time, patience really pays off!

[GreySyrian]

Update: She is now happily taking treats from my hand !!! (just used some seeds in her mix) When I put my hand in she comes closer to explore but I'm apprehensive about letting her come near my hand as everything new i've put her cage she likes to have a nibble to see if it's food or not. I'd presume she'd do the same with my hand and wanted to know if I let her come to my hand and nibble will it hurt?

Have used the tissue trick (was soon shredded !) and she doesn't hide when I talk to her, she's even gone right up to the clear sides of the tank to have a good look at me so I don't think she'd too frightened of me

[cypher]

That's good to hear, she seems to be getting quite the confident little girl!
An "is that food?" nibble isn't really like a bite & shouldn't hurt, well not much lol! they soon learn where food stops & fingers start though.

[GreySyrian]

Will try tonight when she wakes up Thank you!

[GreySyrian]

Originally Posted by Wisper

Once they are taking treats you can move on to handling. Use a container like a carry box/ice cream tub and herd your hamster into it. You can then use an enclosed space (a bathtub works best), just sit with your hamster in the bath/on the sofa whatever and let them wander on you. Just use the container when moving the hamster back and forth. Takes a few sessions, I did this for about a week, each night with my latest boy.

The most scary part of handling for a ham is being picked up so try and avoid that until they seem really ok with being around you. Then you can start trying to scoop them up with your hands. If your hamster ever seems to be getting freaked out just go back a step, it takes a bit of patience.

Hope it goes well

I experimented with the picking up using her hamster ball, I put it in her cage and she gave it a nibble then went inside, after a few times of her going in an out I tried lifting it slightly and she didn't seem to mind! When I went to take the ball out she even jumped back in when it was a couple cm's above her cage floor. Obviously didn't lift her too high as I don't want to move too quickly with her was just curious how she'd react and was glad to see she didn't seemed too fussed.