Do campbell dwarf hamsters stop biting?

[HalcyonW]

Hello!

I've had my 2 dwarf hamsters for a couple of weeks. I read that they need to get used to you before they stop biting/nipping, but as soon as I think they're accepting me, the next time they see my hand they bite it, even drawing blood (only a tiny bit). Might it be after I've washed my hands (e.g. maybe the hands smell soapy, so they don't recognise me?) Am I just being too impatient - after all, I've only had them 2 weeks.

Thank you!

[benjamin0]

i have a campbell dwarf hamster too and i know what you mean, they bite a lot. i think the taming process is apart of what helps them get used to you, or at least that's from what i've read. i would suggest petting them while they eat and practicing feeding them directly from your hand, it should get them to trust your hand. i did that with mine and while they haven't completely stopped biting, they barely bite at all. once they've gotten somewhat used to you, you can try sitting with them in a playpen or in the bathtub (dry of course and you should probably cover the bottom with old blankets because of their pee and poop) and practice holding them or just interacting with them.

as for your scent, i don't know much about that but most taming tutorials i've read have suggested wiping your hands of your scent (wipe your hands with toilet paper). either that or keep washing your hands with the same scented soap before interacting with them so there's some familiarity.

[benjamin0]

Originally Posted by benjamin0

i have a campbell dwarf hamster too and i know what you mean, they bite a lot. i think the taming process is apart of what helps them get used to you, or at least that's from what i've read. i would suggest petting them while they eat and practicing feeding them directly from your hand, it should get them to trust your hand. i did that with mine and while they haven't completely stopped biting, they barely bite at all. once they've gotten somewhat used to you, you can try sitting with them in a playpen or in the bathtub (dry of course and you should probably cover the bottom with old blankets because of their pee and poop) and practice holding them or just interacting with them.

as for your scent, i don't know much about that but most taming tutorials i've read have suggested wiping your hands of your scent (wipe your hands with toilet paper). either that or keep washing your hands with the same scented soap before interacting with them so there's some familiarity.

edit: i just remembered that some hamsters get territorial around their food bowls so maybe petting them while they're eating isn't the best idea depending on your hamster.

[Ria P]

Are you keeping both hamsters in the same habitat?

I'd need to know this first before contributing any suggestions on taming. Keeping a pair would be very risky in itself but i appreciate that's not the topic of this thread.

[HattawayHamsters]

Hi, in my experience with all types of hamster, the habitual biting indicates an irritable temperament which doesn't tend to stop. If it's only when they get startled, they may be tameable. You'll want to give them time outside their enclosure every day, crawling around your hands and lap. If they bite after they're already out and crawling around, then, I'd not expect it to stop.

[Amethyst_ice]

Can members please take a look at the date from the original post. We don't delete posts for future reference but it helps to reply to current threads please

[Fluffy_Unicorn]

Mine hasn't bit me, at least not yet.

Didn't realise this was an old thread. Sorry. I have adhd.