Handling

When you buy your hamster, normally it will not be tame, as the people in the pet shop would not have time to handle each hamster daily. So you will have to learn to tame it yourself. Start taming while your hamster is still young, because it easier. Start by talking to your hamster so it can get to know your voice. Look your hamster straight in the face, as hamsters only bite when they are scared. If your hamster nips you, it is best to put it back in it's cage and leave it alone for a couple of hours for it to calm down.
To hold your hamster, pick it up by gently cupping your hands around your hamster. Do not pick it up from under the 'arms', as this can stop it breathing. You should be able to tame your hamster in about three weeks, if you follow the method below. Be careful not to rush though, as you will have to start again!

• First watch your hamster to see when it is awake, as this is the best time to start taming your hamster. Take note of it's favorite food so you can use it to help your hamster overcome it's fear of humans. Start talking to your hamster so that it can get to know your voice.


• Next, start putting your hamster's food straight onto the floor of the cage so it can get used to your hand, and learns that it brings food. After a few days, leave your hand there while your hamster eats.


• When your hamster is confident enough to eat beside your hand, put the food in the palm of your hand. Be patient! It may take a while before your hamster will eat out of your hand without fear. Once your hamster has got used to this, try stroking it along it's back. Never it's head!


• To get your hamster used to being picked up, when it is eating from your hand , gently cup your other hand over it, and lift it a little way above the ground for a few moments at a time. After a few more days, if your hamster seems happy being picked up, try taking it right out of the cage in your cupped hands.


• Play with your hamster near the floor so if it jumps out of your hands, it doesn't have a long way to fall. Let it run from one hand to the other (most hamsters prefer to run towards you). Soon it will be confident enough to run along your arm.

Taming is a long process and takes a lot of patients, but don't rush it!