The Do’s and Don’ts of Hamster Taming

[Kikya]

So you’ve done your research, you got all your supplies, you’ve setup a beautiful cage, and now you brought the most adorable ball of fluff home! So what now??

Don’t get your new hamster out the box and started playing with him right away.
Do put the new hamster in his cage and let him adjust to his new surroundings for a few days!

This helps your hamster for safer and more relaxed and he’ll be more open to interacting with you, instead of stressed out and biting from fear. At this stage, it’s helpful to talk softly when your hamster is up, especially when refilling water and food or cleaning the cage. They will learn to recognize your voice and especially your tone. You can also put strips of toilet paper in the cage after rubbing your hands on them. This gives your hamster a chance to get use to your scent as part of his home.

When your hamster has settled into his new home, and he starts to explore the cage.
Don’t reach in and grab your hamster right away.
Do go slowly and offer him a seed. The hamster will likely be too afraid to take it right away but keep offering every day. Do this every day until he gets comfortable taking a seed from your fingers.

It’s best to be patient and let your hamster come to you, depending on the hamster this step could take several days. This is very difficult when they are such a cute and adorable animal but remember they are prey animals and spook easily. Speaking softly and moving slowly are good ways to help your hamster feel safe. There are different ways of taming a hamster and no one way works perfectly for every hamster. Once your hamster is comfortable taking food from your fingers you can move on to the next step.

The next step is all about finding what works best for your hamster. Each method will take time for your hamster to build trust with you. Here are a few methods to try to build trust. It’s best if you try one method for a while before switching to another. Trying multiple may confuse your hamster. Pro tip: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or meal worms work great for taming. Save some from your hamster’s mix or buy some to use for taming only. Resist the urge to give him extra when not interacting with you.

-Lure Method: Some hamsters prefer to stay in their cage when taming. Using one hand to hold a seed and putting your other hand palm up flat in the cage, you can slowly tempt your hamster to climb on to your hand. It may start with a single paw on your hand and then give the hamster the seed. Then as the hamster gets more comfortable, back the seed up until he puts two paws on your hand. Continue until your hamster is comfortable taking and eating the seed while sitting on your hand.

-Playpen or Bathtub Bonding: Some hamsters prefer to be outside their cage when taming, especially if they are territorial of their cage. The best step would be to prepare a secure playpen or a bathtub for exploring and some toys for him to crawl under or crawl on. If you use a bathtub, cover the drain with a towel. To move your untamed hamster to the bonding area, use The Cup Method. Put a seed inside a tall cup and place the cup into your hamster’s cage. Once the hamster goes in, you can put your hand over the top of the cup and move the hamster into the bonding area. Place the cup down and let your hamster come out and explore. Eventually, you may not even need to put the seed in the cup, some hamsters recognize that cup means play time! While in the bonding area, talking softly or offering a seed from your hand to climb on to your hand. He’ll get used to your presence, then when time is up (10-20 minutes) offering the cup again and move him back securely to the cage. Some people choose to get into the playpen or bathtub with the hamster and let the hamster crawl around them. While this method can work, you must be very aware of where your hamster is and not accidentally step on or smush him. Some owners have reported that their hamsters are more stressed in a bathtub than in a playpen.

-The Box Method: This method includes putting your hamster in a box big enough to put your hand in palm down. Leave your hand in the box, sprinkle a small number of seeds in the box and let your hamster explore the box while your hand is in it. This point of this method is that your hamster cannot avoid your hand, but your hand is not doing anything threatening so he gets used to it. It’s best to not move your hand if you can help it and only spend about 5 minutes per session. Once he’s used to your hand palm down, switch to palm up and put a seed in the middle of your palm, in 5-minute sessions daily. Until he climbs in your hand and eats in the seed in your palm.

All of these methods are ways to have your hamster not be afraid of your smell and your hand. The nest step is to slowly raise your hand once the hamster is on your hand happily eating a seed. An inch or two off the ground. Once he's comfortable moving up and down, move him slightly to right or left. The hamster may jump off your hand when he feels movement but the idea is to slowly get him used to being moved from place to place on your hand. Try these once daily until he's completely comfortable. However, even once he’s comfortable doing these things:

Don’t grab your hamster from above like a predator. Even a tame hamster will not like this.
Do gently scoop from below or allow your hamster to freely walk on your hand.

These methods will get you started on taming, but taming can be a long process depending on the hamster. You may need to spend several days on each step so patience, patience, patience is key! Letting your hamster choose to come to you will create a greater bond.

A few notes about handling a hamster once he’s tame:

• Don’t squeeze your hamster or let others squeeze him. They have very fragile bones and can get injured easily.
• Don’t let your hamster interact with another hamster, they could fight and seriously injury each other. Hamsters do not need friends or playdates like humans or other animals.
• Don’t let small children handle your hamster (even if they beg!) They are look but not touch pets for anyone except you (and possibly your family if they know how to handle a hamster).
• Don’t hold your hamster high off the ground. If you need to move your hamster a distance from their cage, use the cup method. A fall can seriously hurt or kill a hamster.

Happy Taming!

[Happyhammies26]

Thank you such for this topic, it's really helpful!!

[Luna123]

This is a really well written article. Thanks!

[Little Hammy Moon]

Thank you! This will be useful in the future for me Justin was actually never tamed, but it’s too late now since she likes me now lol

[Cute_Frogs22]

TYSSSMMMMM YOUR SO GREAT

[hamsworth]

If you get a hamster who is very trusting and runs towards you (not to bite ), should you still leave them alone for a few days in their new home?

[hotglue01]

Hi there,

Aw, your new ham seems so cute! What a little love.

I'd still suggest giving him/her a few days, and then you can start to go in for some pets (followed by sniffs, of course) and some treats.

Good luck!

[Kikya]

If you get a hamster who is very trusting and runs towards you (not to bite ), should you still leave them alone for a few days in their new home?

If they already seem friendly, keep interacting, I think daily interaction is key for maintaining a friendly ham. Especially, if they come from a place that they have already been handling from a young age, like a breeder. If they come to you, just try to be calm and let them control how much they interact.

[axurejig4]

Alle genannten Methoden helfen, dass dein Hamster keine Angst mehr vor deinem Geruch und deiner Hand hat. Der nächste Schritt: Sobald er entspannt auf deiner Hand sitzt und ein Samen knabbert, hebst du die Hand langsam ein paar Zentimeter an. Wenn er sich daran gewöhnt hat, bewegst du sie vorsichtig nach links und rechts. Springt er ab – kein Problem! Wiederhole das legiano casino täglich, bis er sich sicher fühlt. Selbst wenn er später entspannt ist, bleib geduldig – jeder Hamster hat sein eigenes Tempo. nd für deine eigene Entspannung zwischendurch:
Gönn dir eine Auszeit bei Legiano – hier findest du erstklassigen Spielspaß mit fairen Boni und schnellen Auszahlungen. Perfekt, um nach einer gelungenen Trainingseinheit mit deinem Hamster den Kopf freizubekommen. Probier's aus – du hast es dir verdient