How to properly train and socialize a baby hamster?
- Wednesday Nov 4,2009 02:09 PM
- By diddy
- In Others
Hi there, my friend and I are thinking of getting hamsters, but they would both stay at her house. They are only a few weeks old (they were just separated from the mother yesterday) and I don’t think they’ve had much human contact (all they know is humans=food). Once we bring them home, how can we teach them to be friendly and cuddly?
Baby Hamster, Hamster, Hamsters, Human Contact, Train
3 Comments
Hamsters have different personalities,
they range from calm and friendly to skittish and shy.
you didn’t say what type of hamsters they are.
Syrian hamsters are the easiest to tame for the most part.
However, taming can take several weeks.
Patience is a key factor.
For the first few days hamsters should be left alone
for the first 5-7 days, to get used to their surroundings.
Watching them from a distance is acceptable.
The only time you should be in hamster’s cage for these days is when feeding and watering.
A hamster’s cage should be cleaned every 5-7 days.
So on this day can be difficult since they haven’t had much human contact.
but don’t worry.
buy a hamster ball for both of them and let them go in the balls to play.
To get them in the ball, just let them walk in themselves or scoop them up quick and calmly into the ball.
After this the next day attempt to tame the hamsters.
Setup a "playpen" for the critters.
They sell playpens in pet stores for small animals that you can buy
if not what i do is stack books,movies, cd’s, games, etc. about 5 to 6 inches high in a circle.
Put the cage in the middle.
If you have a wired cage usually the wired top comes off leaving the bottom part.
if you have an aquarium the hamster can be scooped up with plastic container or the hamster ball and placed in the enclosure.
if you have a plastic (tube) cage they also come apart like wired cages.
Once the hamster is out of the cage and onto the floor in the enclosure:
Step 1:Talking to Hammie
get down at the hamsters level, talk softly to him.
he probably will become curious (up on hind legs, ears up)
Step 2: Getting used to your scent
Show the hamster your hand, to let him get used to your scent.
hamsters have very poor eyesight and can only judge distances a few inches away from their face.
keep your hand steady and below the hamster (touching or close to touching the floor)
DO NOT put your hands above him, when taming he will see you as a predator and become defensive.
Make sure you always move slowly (fast movement can easily startle them)
-if he tries to bite (which you can easily notice since they do it fairly slow enough to move) move your hand slowly away, moving fast will make him sense that your scared.
Step 3: Giving Hammie treats
Put a treat in the palm of your hand, this will encourage him to climb onto your hand. Hand should be at his level (not above) and no rapid movements should be made during this step.
Step 4: Petting Hammie
try petting your hamster. VERY SLOWLY. try giving him a treat to distract him and pet slowly (using the back of your finger) gently and steady.
Step 5:Picking up Hammie
this step can take the longest. Make sure that your hamster knows what your doing. The best way to pick up a hamster is buy scooping him up while cupping your hands.
put your hands behind and infront of him and slowly cup your hands together underneath him.
Do this at a low level, your hammie might try to jump out of your hands. To avoid any injuries keep your hands low and steady.
Once you complete these steps it will come gradually after that.
If your hamster EVER starts making continuous chattering noises, or squeaking noises while trying to handle him, put him back in his cage and leave him alone. These sounds usually mean hes annoyed and wants to be left alone. You DO NOT want to cause much stress from your hammie
Once they are tamed they are fun loving animals.
I have had two. the first one was SO easy to tame, took me ONE day.
The one i just bought, i had him for almost 3 weeks and still working on taming him. He’s starting to let me pet him which is a huge accomplishment, picking up will be the hardest (he’s a jumper ha)
but hope everything goes well with your hammies BEST OF LUCK
AMANDA
handle them as much as possible and hand feed them treats!
Well be sure not to surprise them too much by trying to grab them or pet them. But if you do want to pet them you should move slowly not too fast or it will scare them. If you accomplish to pet them stroke their fur slowly and talk to them very gently. Then you should offer treats so they will feel that you are nice. The next step is holding them. First pet them again slowly stroking them and talking gently. Then quickly take a treat and offer it. When they eat it slowly lift them up to your hand and out of the cage. Find a safe place small place in your house and let them run around a bit like the bathroom. They really love exploring so take them out at least once a day to keep them healthy and entertained. Make sure to not let them out too long cause they will get thirsty. Also make sure you supervise them cause they might do something you won’t expect. Also if the hamsters you are getting are teddy bear ( syrian hamsters ) do not keep them together cause they will fight. You may see them in the pet shop together in a cage that’s only cause they’re still young and the cage is big so they won’t fight. But if you are getting a different kind of hamster it’ll be okay for them to live together. Hope this helps and good luck!
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