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Old 06-24-2020, 03:42 PM   #1
auroraxo7
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Join Date: May 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 21
Exclamation hamster biting

hi guys, ive had my dwarf hamster for around 2 weeks or so now. im trying to tame him slowly but he seems more interested in my fingers and hand than the food. he seems really curious when he bites me and can bite really hard and hurt me. im wondering if i should give him more time to settle or if its just who he is. he isnt friendly at all i was just wondering if im doing anything wrong and if anyone could help
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Old 06-24-2020, 09:45 PM   #2
jaylla_22
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Join Date: May 2020
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Default Re: hamster biting

i know a little bit about dwarf hamsters and i know it takes a long time for them to even let you pick them up for a short period of time. give him some more space but still try and introduce yourself so he knows you are not a threat. also put a little treat in your hand and see if he comes up to take it, that helps getting him to trust you. hope this helps
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Old 06-25-2020, 03:17 AM   #3
auroraxo7
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Default Re: hamster biting

hi yeah i’ve tried him going into my palm but instead of taking the treat he bit my hand, this morning though he let me pet him so he seems more calmed. thank you for the reply i will try being slower with him
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Old 06-25-2020, 04:45 AM   #4
Petite
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Default Re: hamster biting

It might also help to wash your hands with unscented soap (if you don't already do that) and rub them in your hamster's substrate so he's less likely to confuse you with food. My hammy still doesn't let me pet her unless she engaged in demolishing a very tasty treat, but she loves to be hand-fed. Have you tried offering her treats with your fingertips? It might help in the interests of keeping your hands intact.
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Old 06-26-2020, 02:25 AM   #5
Ria P
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Location: Wiltshire, UK
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Default Re: hamster biting

It may also help to take your hamster out of his cage and put him in a playpen for taming and interaction. Some hamsters are territorial or simply don't like hands in their cage. You could get him out by putting a treat in a mug or jug, let him walk into it and then put him down in a secure area. Cover the "hamster taxi" with something while you transfer him so he won't jump out. Best not with your hand though, i did that and got bitten.
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Old 06-26-2020, 05:13 PM   #6
auroraxo7
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Default Re: hamster biting

yes i do offer him treats with my finger tips but he works his way round to my fingers and seems much more interested by them haha. he doesnt seem to mind beng pet too much i think i need to give him more time to trust me
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Old 06-26-2020, 05:16 PM   #7
auroraxo7
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Default Re: hamster biting

oh wow i didnt know about the hand in cage thing, for now i dont have any form of a play pen could you recommend what i use/buy. also i put him in the bath tub one time and it seemed like he was stressed so i put him back into his cage
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Old 06-27-2020, 01:27 AM   #8
Ria P
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Default Re: hamster biting

Quote:
Originally Posted by auroraxo7 View Post
oh wow i didnt know about the hand in cage thing, for now i dont have any form of a play pen could you recommend what i use/buy. also i put him in the bath tub one time and it seemed like he was stressed so i put him back into his cage
You can get a kiddies ball pit playpen on Amazon for around £11, they fold up for easy storage, that's what they use in the resue i volunteer for. Put a blanket down and plenty of toys and hides and a wheel or sit in it if big enough so he gets used to you and that's the easiest way in my short experience. Let him run around on your lap, on your legs for a while without touching him so he gets used to you and your scent. I had a bitey dwarf who was happy to walk into a mug to come out and run around on the sofa with cushions on both ends or i sat on the sofa and put him on my lap. That was the only time i could stroke him without getting bitten. He was ill and had issues, was adopted with most likely a traumatic history so not your averidge hamster to start off with but very lovely in his own way. You have a far better chance of taming your hamster and you're not doing anything wrong. I tried the bath tub but it freaked him out so i also gave that one a miss. Does he bite when you stroke him? Mine would whip his head round and snap at me when he was in his cage but not when he was on my lap on the sofa. Well, after a while he would but that's when i put him back in his cage. I used to gently stroke his back with a pastry brush trying to get him used to touch. Let us know how you get on. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who can identify with your current taming situation.
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Old 06-27-2020, 06:48 AM   #9
auroraxo7
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Join Date: May 2020
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Default Re: hamster biting

i will definitely look into that play pen thank you for the recommendation. ill try that method when i have play pen, when i stroke his back and hes focused on something else he would sit still and let me but sometimes he can get startled and run away. i feel like he is starting to trust me and i appreciate the help a lot
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