It could take some time for your hamster to feel secure enough to be picked up if you're new to pet care. This process, which might take days or weeks, calls for patience and tender handling.
Keep in mind that because they are predatory animals by nature, hamsters are cautious of unfamiliar sights, noises, and smells. If they feel threatened, they may bite.
Silence in the Cage
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Keep the cage silent, especially when you initially bring your hamster home. A hamster may bite if it is scared or startled by loud noises or sudden movements.
Instead, try reading to or singing to your hamster, or conversing with it calmly. As it grows accustomed to your voice, it will start to unwind.
Before and after touching your hamster, wash your hands. It will consider you a threat if you have food odor on your hands and may attempt to bite you.
It's advisable to hold off on trying to tame your hamster until it feels at ease in its new home. This may require several weeks or even months. It depends on the hamster's breed, any previous trauma, and other factors. Your hamster will come to trust you with enough time, effort, and treats. It's lovely to watch, I tell you!
Present Treats
Although you might be tempted to bribe your new hamster with treats in an effort to win their trust, you should only do this gradually and when you are certain that your hamster is at ease being handled. Otherwise, your hamster will just come to associate you with danger and be less cooperative when you attempt to hold them in the future.
Hamsters are easily frightened by people, just like any predatory creature, and will bite to defend themselves. Although it is a normal inclination, experiencing it can be upsetting and frightening for the owner.
Rub your hands on a tissue or piece of paper and place it in your hamster's cage to avoid overwhelming and frightening them. They will become accustomed to your fragrance and be able to tell that you don't pose a threat as a result. You might also try quietly conversing with them while seated close to their cage. This can be a really effective technique to help them become acquainted with you and your voice.
Gently handle your hamster.
A hamster may bite you if you remove it from its cage too rapidly if it feels threatened. Only when they are afraid of you (or something else, such as a loud noise), hamsters will bite as a form of defense. Don't get offended if it bites you; simply put it back in its cage gently.
You can lift the hamster up to an inch above the cage floor if it is at ease in your hands. In case the hamster tries to jump, make sure both of your hands are securely holding it in place.
To reduce stress, keep these early holding sessions brief. As soon as you return the hamster to its cage, offer it a treat. Additionally, avoid agitating your hamster by prodding or shaking it. Hamsters may become fearful and anxious as a result of these behaviors, which may also reduce their confidence in people. Additionally, if you unintentionally drop your hamster, don't freak out or worry.
Develop Trust
Keep in mind that hamsters are sensitive to your emotions when handling them. They will sense your anxiety or fear and may become more wary or hostile as a result.
If at all possible, try to engage with your hamster when it is awake and in a familiar environment (not at mealtimes or while the TV is on). They'll be more at ease around you as a result, which will increase their likelihood of having faith in you.
Alternatively, you might put your hand inside the cage and wait for your hamster to come over on its own. Be patient with them because they might nip at your hand or sniff it. If they bite, don't yank your hand away because that can scare them. As an alternative, give them your hand to chew on for a few days until they stop biting. This will facilitate the taming process by allowing them to become accustomed to your scent and touch.
