Sometimes, a pet smaller than a cat or dog is preferable to have in your home, and these small pets are equally as delightful as their larger counterparts. Hamsters are one of the more popular small pets to own, and being able to gently pick them up to interact with them is one of the most fun parts of owning one of these tiny creatures. However, some hamsters aren’t fans of being handled when you first get them, so trying to pick them up can lead to fear on their part and fingers being bitten on yours.
If your hamster isn’t quite tamed yet, you’ll need to tame them so you can safely hold them. This isn’t only important for purposes of interaction; you’ll need to be able to pick up your pet to clean their cage or take them to the vet, too.
But how do you tame a hamster so they enjoy handling? By using the following five expert tips, of course!
Before You Begin
Before you can get your hamster used to being handled, you need to let them adjust to moving into a new home. Moving can be a big stressor for these little guys, so give them time and space before you begin taming them. There’s no rush on taming them, so give your pet a week or so to get used to people being around and their new space before you start.
You can help your hamster adjust by ensuring they have all they need in their cage, then placing the cage in an area that isn’t highly trafficked. This way, they can hear people and other pets in the home but won’t be disturbed by them excessively.
Once your new pet starts exploring their cage and eating and drinking freely, they should be comfortable enough that you can attempt taming them.
How to Tame a Hamster
Ready to get to know your new hamster? Here are five expert tips that will help!
Remember to be patient with your hamster; they’re much smaller than you and may frighten easily, which could cause them to bite you. Keep in mind that’s a defensive action, and they shouldn’t be yelled at (as that will only frighten them further).
Final Thoughts
It will take time and patience, but you can tame a hamster so they enjoy being handled. Following these expert tips should help you accomplish this task relatively quickly, but remember, hamsters are individuals, so some will like being handled much less than others. Getting your tiny friend to trust you to hold them may take up to a month or more. Even if it takes a while, don’t give up!
Featured Image Credit: Victor FlowerFly, Shutterstock