Taming question

Question
Ive read that after you get a hamster you should wait a 3 to 5 days before touching it and slowly get familiar with your hamster. I had read the information after I had already picked up my hamster and touched him (just after getting him). Is there a way that I can still get him familiar with me and trust me? He will occasionally take a cracker from my hand but will not let me pick him up (gets really scared). Thank you.

Answer
Hi Kalli

I usually don't advise handling a hamster for a day whilst they settle into their new home.  After this it is fine to handle them.  The fact that he is nervous is unlikely to do with when you started handling him.

Some hamsters are nervous if they have never been handled and it is a case of winning their confidence.  Also, you need to feel confident too, otherwise he will sense this.

The key thing is to talk to him - every time you see him out and about in his cage.  This way he will start to recognise you.  Also, give him treats through the bars so that he associates you with nice things.

When you come to handle him, the best way is to try and dismantle the cage if you can so that you can easily get hold of the hamster.  Putting your hand through tubes or doorways can really worry the hamster - in the wild they are preyed upon a lot and therefore anything that approaches them in this way is seen as a threat and they react accordingly.  Therefore, if the cage comes apart, separate the top from the bottom.  Rub some of his bedding into your hands so that his scent is on you. Place a hand each side of him and quickly 'scoop' him up and immediately place him on your clothing.  I find it safest to sit down to do this.  Hamsters often get worried if they walk on skin, therefore clothing seems to calm them down.  Let him walk over you - talk to him all the time, and if he starts wandering off gently slide a hand under him to bring him back.  Don't grab him, or squeeze him, or hold him tightly.  After a few minutes return him to his cage.  Hamsters are very nosey creatures and chances are he will want to come straight out again - if so, get him out.  The more times he does this the better as he will quickly learn that it is safe outside the cage with you and that there are lots of things to explore.  When you do put him back in his cage, put a treat in there for him - again so that he knows that there will be something nice waiting for him.

Do you have a hamster exercise ball for him?  If not, it might be worth buying one.  It is important to tape over any joins in the ball as these do have a habit of opening up if they are banged into furniture.  Initially he might be very nervous, but once he gets the hang of it she should be fine.  Make sure you are always around when he is in this ball as they do have a habit of getting stuck under furniture.  It is fine to let him have a run in this ball for about 20 minutes each evening.  When you come to get him out of the ball never put your hand in it as he is bound to bite.  Instead remove the door to the ball and either let him walk out onto your clothing or straight into his cage.

The more time you can spend with him the better and hopefully it won't be too long before he feels confident with you and less worried.

Good luck with this.

Regards
Sheila