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Old 08-02-2021, 06:44 PM   #1
Ivys_Life
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Unhappy Hamster Doesn't Like Me Anymore?

My hamster, a Winter White Dwarf, has been acting really strange lately. She used to let me hold her and would willingly climb into my hand and let me pet her but now she runs every time I try to do either. I can only pet her when she's eating, but even then she doesn't like it. This started about a week ago or so. She will eat out of my hand though if it's something she likes. She also nibbles my hand when I put it in the cage and nibbles my hand if I hold her until I put her back into her cage. What should I do?
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Last edited by Ivys_Life; 08-02-2021 at 06:49 PM.
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Old 08-02-2021, 11:04 PM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Hamster Doesn't Like Me Anymore?

I'd get her out of her cage for interacting with her and place her on your lap while you sit in a safe area like a bath tub, closed off hall, large playpen etc.

Maybe she's become territorial and doesn't like your hand in her cage. I have a dwarf like that who is fine out of her cage but will lunge towards my hand and nip as soon as its in her territory.
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Old 08-08-2021, 04:07 PM   #3
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Default Re: Hamster Doesn't Like Me Anymore?

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I'd get her out of her cage for interacting with her and place her on your lap while you sit in a safe area like a bath tub, closed off hall, large playpen etc.

Maybe she's become territorial and doesn't like your hand in her cage. I have a dwarf like that who is fine out of her cage but will lunge towards my hand and nip as soon as its in her territory.
She never nips hard enough to draw blood but rather just nibbles harder and harder until I get my hand out of her cage/put her back in her cage.
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Old 08-09-2021, 04:51 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster Doesn't Like Me Anymore?

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She never nips hard enough to draw blood but rather just nibbles harder and harder until I get my hand out of her cage/put her back in her cage.
I think its her way of communicating her needs and nothing personal.

My dwarf Clarissa will run around in the hall hamster playground happily but will nip my feet when she wants back in her cage and i'm sat on the floor with my phone chatting on HC. Soon as i put my phone down and offer her my hand she climbs on it and goes into her "transport position".

Does your hamster ask to come out of her cage?
It could be that she doesn't want to come out when you take her out. Sometimes they prefer their own company and it could be down to timing.
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Old 08-09-2021, 12:13 PM   #5
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Default Re: Hamster Doesn't Like Me Anymore?

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I think its her way of communicating her needs and nothing personal.

My dwarf Clarissa will run around in the hall hamster playground happily but will nip my feet when she wants back in her cage and i'm sat on the floor with my phone chatting on HC. Soon as i put my phone down and offer her my hand she climbs on it and goes into her "transport position".

Does your hamster ask to come out of her cage?
It could be that she doesn't want to come out when you take her out. Sometimes they prefer their own company and it could be down to timing.
She never really seems to want to be out of her cage or held, but seems scared of me. Is she just not that used to me? I've had her for about seven months.
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Old 08-09-2021, 01:44 PM   #6
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Default Re: Hamster Doesn't Like Me Anymore?

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She never really seems to want to be out of her cage or held, but seems scared of me. Is she just not that used to me? I've had her for about seven months.
In that case it may be her personality.

My dwarf Ozzy is like that and always has been. I've had him for 15 months and he has not once asked to come out of his cage. He'll walk into his mug when i put a treat in it and i can get him out for a health check and a quick stroke. He doesn't bite and he's not scared. I've tried a playpen but he doesn't like it. He's happy in his Hamster Heaven world and prefers his own company. He's never climbed or chewed the bars but potters about doing his own thing, totally oblivious to anything outside his cage.
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Old 08-09-2021, 03:08 PM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster Doesn't Like Me Anymore?

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In that case it may be her personality.

My dwarf Ozzy is like that and always has been. I've had him for 15 months and he has not once asked to come out of his cage. He'll walk into his mug when i put a treat in it and i can get him out for a health check and a quick stroke. He doesn't bite and he's not scared. I've tried a playpen but he doesn't like it. He's happy in his Hamster Heaven world and prefers his own company. He's never climbed or chewed the bars but potters about doing his own thing, totally oblivious to anything outside his cage.
That's what I was thinking but she wasn't always been like this so I was worried. Thanks again!
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Old 08-10-2021, 03:17 AM   #8
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That's what I was thinking but she wasn't always been like this so I was worried. Thanks again!
Yes, that is a bit strange. I take it that you've done a health check to make sure everything is ok with her physically?

They can be fussy and something like a scented handwash or handcream can put them off as well. But then again, Ivy gets the treats from your hand.

I've spent hours trying to figure out my hamsters behaviours and have previously stated on this forum how i wished someone would write a book on hamster psychology.
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Old 08-10-2021, 04:23 PM   #9
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Smile Re: Hamster Doesn't Like Me Anymore?

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Yes, that is a bit strange. I take it that you've done a health check to make sure everything is ok with her physically?

They can be fussy and something like a scented handwash or handcream can put them off as well. But then again, Ivy gets the treats from your hand.

I've spent hours trying to figure out my hamsters behaviours and have previously stated on this forum how i wished someone would write a book on hamster psychology.
Yes, I have and she looks great. I really wish someone would write a book too. I'll try doing different taming activities and see if she gets any better. Thank you so much for your help!
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