My bitting hamster

Question
Hi Im having a little trouble with my hamster Dusty. I have had him for five days and just yesterday he started bitting fingers. He is the cutest an behaved hamster ever. But I can't love him as much if he bites I can't have him bitting. I tried to hand feed him but i didn't work. And now he's just nibbles on his waterbottle and I bought him toys and chewing sticks. But he does not even chew them. Help Me!!!!!!

Answer
Hi Nana

Thanks for your question - I'm sorry to hear you are having problems with taming Dusty.

Remember that this is a big world for a tiny hamster.  Hamster's have terrible eyesight and therefore rely heavily on their sense of smell. Therefore, what might be clean hands to you, may smell interesting to a hamster.

The best way I have found to tame a hamster is:

talk to them a lot so that they recognise your voice
avoid startling them - let them know that you are around
Never put your hand in their nest - if you want the hamster to wake up, tap the side of the cage and call them.
Never stick a finger through the bars of the cage - even if you have food in your hand they can still mistake your fingers for food.
Always rub a small amount of his bedding onto your hands before you try and handle him - this way your scent will be familiar.

Once you've put some of his bedding onto your hands, if you place a hand each side of him (you will have to remove the top of the cage to do this) and then quickly 'scoop' him up in your hands.  Immediately put him on clothing - a lot of hamsters don't like walking on skin.

Let him walk over you - it is best to sit down at this stage.  If he wanders off, gently slide a hand under him and bring him back.  Don't grab him, or hold him tightly or he might get nervous and nip.  After a few minutes return him to his cage.  This way he will see that he is safe.  Chances are he will want to come out again - if so, get him out.  If you try and do this nightly he should start to come around.  It really is a case of winning his confidence.  Once you have done that hopefully he shouldn't nip you.

Good luck with this.

regards
Sheila