Handling?

Loki_ · 07-28-2013, 11:08 AM

When did you start handling your hamster? How did you find their attitude towards you?
I'm sorry I'm posting a lot but I just want to know everything I can so I can give my Theo the best possible life ever!

POLAR WHITES · 07-28-2013, 11:12 AM

I left them a day to settle in and then started to handle them. I breed hamsters and at 22 days I start handling them. I don't do the slowly slowly as most do on here. I just get them out and hold them from hand to hand several times each a day.

Loki_ · 07-28-2013, 11:16 AM

I got my little guy on Wednesday and I got him out last night and he was better than I expected. He sat in the palm of my hand and washed his face, then he crawled up my sleeve. I'm hoping this is a sign me and him are going to be good friends

POLAR WHITES · 07-28-2013, 11:18 AM

sounds good, I would just get him out little on often and don't put him back if he bites you or wees on you as this teaches them that if they do this they get to go, so they do it more.

Loki_ · 07-28-2013, 11:19 AM

Ah, thank you for that tip.

racinghamster · 07-28-2013, 11:45 AM

Chinese hamsters can be shy or nippy. It really depends on the hamster. But yes, you are going about things the right way. Little and often, but try never to wake him up. Wait until he is awake and actually exploring. The sleeve will be his favourite place, so be aware that Chinese hamsters will shoot up a sleeve and stay there!

My female did this and then dropped down into my t.shirt while I leaned over her cage! The little tinker soon learned that I was a nice climbing frame and she would have sessions on the bed where I would sit and she would run down the bed, shoot up my pyjama trouser leg and nip my leg!

But it was all fun and she loved short play times each evening. I always rewarded her with a hemp seed or a small sunflower seed. They soon learn that you are associated with nice things. x

Mucky · 08-04-2013, 02:03 PM

When i got kanga she was horrible, not gonna lie, i called her Kanga (Kangaroo) because i dont think ive ever had a hammy jump so high, handling was physically impossible, i decided to put her in a baggie hoodie (technique more commonly used with rats) and i got bitten so many times, she now rarely bites, pretty easy going, pretty slow and doesnt break the skin, down side is when i have her out she always tries to go in my hoodie haha

WendyAnne · 08-04-2013, 03:00 PM

I held my little Princess Snowflake briefly in the pet shop (where I purchased her), just to see how she would react and give her a quick once-over for any outward signs of illness. She was very nervous then & nibbled on my finger just a bit. When I brought her home, I gave her a few days to settle in, and once she became familiar with me I put my hand in for her to sniff. Within a day or so I was holding her. She's really quite friendly with us, and has never taken a nibble or a bite from our hands since she's been with us. She really doesn't avoid me when I pick her up, and she seems quite calm in my hands & even my daughter's. I'm pretty surprised, given that she came from a pet shop & probably wasn't held much at all there.