Advice with hamster taming much appreciated!

[bageleggandcheese]

This is my (and my hamster Bagel’s) first time on this forum! I recently got him at 13 weeks old and so far it’s been 5 days of him moving in and getting himself familiarised with the enclosure. After some observation I noticed he’s very nervous and freezes at the smallest sounds, which is understandable coming from his previous conditions but he’s especially hesitant to interact with me. I’ve been doing the scent tissue trick and have been talking to him when he’s awake, though today i regrettably attempted to stroke him a little which scared him and caused him to scuttle back into his burrows. Will he forgive me I might be a little impatient but so far I’ve seen little progress from him getting used to my presence. I’m worried that since I got him relatively old it would be quite difficult for him to fully warm up to me or even get on my hand voluntarily… Anyone else has a similar experience with a big aged skittish hamster, and how long did it take for your hamster to really get used to you? Any stories would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Amy]

He is really beautiful 13 weeks is not old, and I am sure he needs a little more time to settle in
MAZ has written many advises on how the best way to tame your hamster. If you scroll through the forum you will find many tips
It’s easier to interact with a hamster outside their houses.
There is a great post on how to go along with bathtub taming for example and advises how to get your hamster out of the cage.
I am sure he will forgive your attempt at striking him.
I found it very helpful to sing quietly to my hamster when he was awake. He loves to listen (probably the only species on earth who likes my singing) and whilst singing you breath calmly and can’t hold your breath. You can also very patiently offer a tasty snack and keep your hand very still. Please be aware if you have the door of the cage open, that they can suddenly leap and jump out of the cage if they are scared. It’s always important to have a cushion or something soft in front of the cage, just in case this happens so that they have a soft landing. This is one of the very helpful advice that I learned here and my hamster did jump out once!
Have patience and you will surely succeed your hamster is absolutely gorgeous

 

[Vanessa1]

Hi , welcome to the forum what a beautiful hamster! That's definitely a picture for the photo competition... Gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of Bagel. It's very early days, it's all down to patience Ness

 

[bageleggandcheese]

He is really beautiful 13 weeks is not old, and I am sure he needs a little more time to settle in
MAZ has written many advises on how the best way to tame your hamster. If you scroll through the forum you will find many tips
It’s easier to interact with a hamster outside their houses.
There is a great post on how to go along with bathtub taming for example and advises how to get your hamster out of the cage.
I am sure he will forgive your attempt at striking him.
I found it very helpful to sing quietly to my hamster when he was awake. He loves to listen (probably the only species on earth who likes my singing) and whilst singing you breath calmly and can’t hold your breath. You can also very patiently offer a tasty snack and keep your hand very still. Please be aware if you have the door of the cage open, that they can suddenly leap and jump out of the cage if they are scared. It’s always important to have a cushion or something soft in front of the cage, just in case this happens so that they have a soft landing. This is one of the very helpful advice that I learned here and my hamster did jump out once!
Have patience and you will surely succeed your hamster is absolutely gorgeous

Thanks so much for the help! I never thought taking Bagel outside for a few moments can actually help with the taming process; mostly thought it’ll stress him up even more if he’s outside his familiar environment I’ll try it tonight! Also, are there any tips with handling him in terms of holding him safely (in that one manner that vets hold them during checkups) without hurting him/making him uncomfortable? When should I attempt to hold him like that?

 

[Maz]

Bagel is adorable! Love that photo I've added the taming guide below to give you some ideas.

How to tame a hamster

Hand taming a hamster can make life with your hamster very rewarding. Suddenly they will sit on you to be stroked or even go to sleep on you, and will be very easy to handle. It can take a bit of time and patience initially.

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Socks' Mum]

It's best not to hold hamsters by their scruff or loose skin as this can put pressure on their eyes and tear the connective tissue protecting the eyes. Your question is an excellent one as handling hamsters involved different techniques

 

[Amy]

Thanks so much for the help! I never thought taking Bagel outside for a few moments can actually help with the taming process; mostly thought it’ll stress him up even more if he’s outside his familiar environment I’ll try it tonight! Also, are there any tips with handling him in terms of holding him safely (in that one manner that vets hold them during checkups) without hurting him/making him uncomfortable? When should I attempt to hold him like that?

I would say definitely no. Don’t try to hold him until he is is completely safe with you and your hands. In order to take him into a safe place (bathtub for example) you need to get him used to climbing into a taxi. A tube or a Pyrex jug. And make sure in no way he can jump out. Please read the post in this forum and don’t hurry with the taming process otherwise you might upset your hamster and he will be frightened of you.

 

[Amy]

Bagel is adorable! Love that photo I've added the taming guide below to give you some ideas.

How to tame a hamster

Hand taming a hamster can make life with your hamster very rewarding. Suddenly they will sit on you to be stroked or even go to sleep on you, and will be very easy to handle. It can take a bit of time and patience initially.

www.thehamsterforum.com

I didn’t know how to do that.

 

[Socks' Mum]

For a new hamster, if you would like to transfer him to the playpen or to a carrier, best to train him to walk into a tube or large jug. This will be the safest method. Holding him in your hands is risky as hamsters are often averse to being held and might jump straight up into the air for some height, usually at least a foot. If they fall from even a relatively low height, they can be injured. Handling in the bath tub is best done with your hands at ground level so that if he does the classic hamster jump into the air, the fall won't be so far. There is also the hamster flump where they suddenly throw all their paws against your hand to give you a fright. They might do this if they don't want to be picked up or held. But it depends on the hamster, not all hamsters do this.

 

[Socks' Mum]

To get your hammy used to sitting on your hand (at cage base level) you can put some treats on your palm and lay it flat in the cage or in the bathtub / playpen. He will probably sit in your hand to eat it and start to trust hands It's a very slow process. Even if he seems to be comfortable sitting on your hand, still be careful as he might jump if you raise your hands. Hamsters are bad at falling asleep they are designed to live underground and don't really climb much unlike the long tailed rodents such as mice or rats.

 

[Socks' Mum]

That should say bad at falling not bad at falling asleep, oops

 

[Amy]

The first time I saw Nibbles jump I couldn’t believe it 🫪 like a little kangaroo

 

[bageleggandcheese]

For a new hamster, if you would like to transfer him to the playpen or to a carrier, best to train him to walk into a tube or large jug. This will be the safest method. Holding him in your hands is risky as hamsters are often averse to being held and might jump straight up into the air for some height, usually at least a foot. If they fall from even a relatively low height, they can be injured. Handling in the bath tub is best done with your hands at ground level so that if he does the classic hamster jump into the air, the fall won't be so far. There is also the hamster flump where they suddenly throw all their paws against your hand to give you a fright. They might do this if they don't want to be picked up or held. But it depends on the hamster, not all hamsters do this.

noted! guess I’ll just have to wait and see how he thinks of me but I’ll shoot my shot at the playpen idea!

 

[Socks' Mum]

It varies with the hamster, but taking things slowly is a good idea

 

[Rescued One]

I would say definitely no. Don’t try to hold him until he is is completely safe with you and your hands. In order to take him into a safe place (bathtub for example) you need to get him used to climbing into a taxi. A tube or a Pyrex jug. And make sure in no way he can jump out. Please read the post in this forum and don’t hurry with the taming process otherwise you might upset your hamster and he will be frightened of you.

I agree with the "hamster taxi" idea. It is a much safer way to transfer to a playspace.

 

[Rescued One]

Hi,

All my hammies have been rescues. You are on the right track (and I totally get the impatience). Talk and sing to Bagel whenever you are in the room or near the enclosure, often hammies are awake but out of sight . Try special signals when you are going to open the enclosure, offer a treat, or transfer, because your hamster will be less nervous if they know what to expect. For example I sing a special "hammie song" when I open the enclosure or if I need to dig out my hammies, I tap on the glass of the taxi and put a pumpkin seek in the taxi to encourage easy transfer, and I tap on the table top or other wood if I have a treat in my fingers. They make associations fairly quickly. Once Bagel is comfortable taking a treat and eating it in place (right near your fingers or hand) then it is time to try petting while they are eating Good luck

 

[bageleggandcheese]

Hi,

All my hammies have been rescues. You are on the right track (and I totally get the impatience). Talk and sing to Bagel whenever you are in the room or near the enclosure, often hammies are awake but out of sight . Try special signals when you are going to open the enclosure, offer a treat, or transfer, because your hamster will be less nervous if they know what to expect. For example I sing a special "hammie song" when I open the enclosure or if I need to dig out my hammies, I tap on the glass of the taxi and put a pumpkin seek in the taxi to encourage easy transfer, and I tap on the table top or other wood if I have a treat in my fingers. They make associations fairly quickly. Once Bagel is comfortable taking a treat and eating it in place (right near your fingers or hand) then it is time to try petting while they are eating Good luck

I think bagel would just be petrified to death if he hears a tune out of me but yes! Today he was actually in one of the ceramic hides with an open top and I tried to stroke him a little more. At first when I touched him he jolted but after then he appeared rather calm as I continued to stroke his fur. I wasn’t sure if it was out of freezing from fear or not but he was accepting popcorn treats from my fingers and eating them on the spot as I continued stroking him. I wasn’t really sure what to make from that though, was he starting to accept my touch or was it just out of instinct?

 

[Socks' Mum]

It sounds like you are making good progress. Associating treats with stroking him is good. The only way you can tell if he is enjoying being stroked is if he comes forward for tickles. There is a hammy called Robin on here who loves to snuggle and bruxes, which is like purring but by using their teeth to make the sound. I will look up the handle

 

[Socks' Mum]

Robin is @Yorkie 's hamster and is very tame. I'm not sure how Yorkie got her to be so fond of cuddles but she is very confident

 

[Yorkie]

I enticed her with high value treats and little by little I started to touch her. Then I would pick her up within the enclosure and put her back down,increasing the holding each day. Then after a couple of weeks she let me pick her to go to the playpen and soon learned that me putting her to my chest meant either sofa or playpen,all accompanied by treats of course. She will happily splat on my chest now whilst I scratch between her ears. I do have to let her finish her jobs of foraging in the playpen though lol She will go back to empty her pouches and then come out to do the splat. You have to go at their pace though,for a long time the persuasion took forever ,but now she is a mammy's girl. In fact,she came out for her splat this morning