Very skittish hamster.. Help?!

Brittany_nicole · 09-07-2012, 09:45 AM

I bought my little Nugget 4 days ago, he is very skittish. I've only ever had a teddy bear hamster before and he was friendly right when I brought him home, he would actually lay next to my side and sleep. So I'm not sure how or if I can get Nugget to allow me to hold him. (I don't expect him to be as tame as my old hamster) RIP Pumpkin

Can anyone give me tips on how to tame him enough to at least be able to handle him maybe he able to hold him at some point? I need to clean his cage eventually. Will he be this skittish forever? I hope not.. He's way to cute to not touch.

racinghamster · 09-07-2012, 10:03 AM

Hi, if he`s definately a roborovski, I`m afraid it`s just their way. Robos are a little fratic anyway and it can take a long time for them to settle in. If you attempt to chase him around or wake him up when he`s sleeping, it will only escalate his stress, so it`s always a good idea to let him come to you.

That isn`t somthing that comes easy to a roborovski, but some do calm down and mellow, while others just don`t want to be handled. Syrians are way easier and more laid back. Robos are the complete opposite! Russian dwarf hamsters and Chinese are somewhere in the middle when it comes to handling, but robos are very much their own little characters. Enjoy him whatever happns and yes, they are such little cute balls of fluff!

The Hamster's family · 09-07-2012, 10:08 AM

Well first, he needs to settle in his cage BEFORE anything else... Then let him hear your voice as you talk to him calmy for few days. Then try put your hand in the cage to give him a treat and let it drop at the bottom of the cage. This, for few days again. Let your hand in the cage without moving your hand with the treat in it... The idea, like it was once told here, is to teach your hammie that You=Food= NO danger... When you get to hold it, put it back real soon after, so he knows you won't TRAP him in your hand. Then he will get to know you... and you to know him !

Give him some time !!

Good luck and congratulations or your new baby !! =)

The Hamster's family · 09-07-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brittany_nicole

I bought my little Nugget 4 days ago, he is very skittish. I've only ever had a teddy bear hamster before and he was friendly right when I brought him home, he would actually lay next to my side and sleep. So I'm not sure how or if I can get Nugget to allow me to hold him. (I don't expect him to be as tame as my old hamster) RIP Pumpkin

Can anyone give me tips on how to tame him enough to at least be able to handle him maybe he able to hold him at some point? I need to clean his cage eventually. Will he be this skittish forever? I hope not.. He's way to cute to not touch.

Did I miss that he was a robo !?!?!? If so, my bad !! Sorry ! =)

Jodzie04 · 09-07-2012, 10:25 AM

I recently adopted a little robo and it is just their way. They are very fast and will be hard to handle, although not impossible.
Try just putting your hand in the cage and leaving it there, don't move it but just talk to him and it may take a while... even months but I am sure he will get there.
Try getting a playpen of some sort so when his tame he can come in there and you can sit by the side and play with him.
They are very different from syrians though so try not to compare.

**Pompompoms** · 09-08-2012, 03:20 PM

I think little Nugget turned out not to be a robo, but regadless, he's lovely.

Four days isn't long for a ham to settle down, take your time with him, there is a huge amount of information on the board that will help you, and if you have any specific questions do keep asking. I always let my hams guide me, go at their own pace, never push, and take taming as far as they want to go. Some hams tame really well, some are more look but don't touch, but however he ends up, Nugget will bring a smile to your face every days