Content

• Method 2 of 3: Playing with your hamster outside the cage
• Method 3 of 3: Playing with your hamster inside the cage
• Tips

1 Let your hamster get used to the new environment. It is helpful to hold it in your arms to establish a good relationship with your hamster, but first the hamster must get used to its new home. Give him 12-24 hours to explore the cage and study the environment. At this time, you can communicate with him, talking affectionately, but just do not crawl into the cage with your hands.

• A hamster needs a large cage to have plenty of room to move and play. The minimum cage dimensions are 59 cm x 36 cm x 25 cm. Ideally, his cage should also have tunnels and stairs.

2 Wash your hands. Hamsters do not see very well and usually navigate with their nose, analyzing the smells of the environment. For example, if you've just finished eating and went to pick up your hamster, it will smell food on your hands and may try to bite you. If you have more than one hamster, then the other hamster may smell the altered scent of the hamster you just held in your hands, and think that someone else's hamster has invaded its territory.

• Use unscented soap to wash your hands.
• If you have many hamsters, wash your hands before and after interacting with each of them.

3 Place your hand in the cage. Before your hamster can be comfortable with you picking him up, he needs to get used to your hand. Place your hand in the cage and let the hamster sniff and explore. If he tries to bite or pinch your hand, slowly remove it and gently blow on his face to stop this behavior.

• In nature, hamsters are hunted by predators, so a hand placed in a cage may resemble an attack on a hamster by a bird of prey. The better it gets used to your hand, the less fearful it will be when you pick it up.
• It can take a few hours to a few days for a hamster to get used to your hand.
• Provide your hamster with a variety of treats to help him get used to having your hand in his cage.

4 Pick up your hamster. When the hamster no longer sees a threat in your hand, you can begin to pick it up. Slowly lower your hand into the cage and let him see and sniff it. Then place one hand under his chest and the other under the back of his body, and gently lift the hamster towards you. Talk to him in an affectionate voice and do not squeeze the pet too tightly in your hands.

• The best position for communicating with your hamster in your arms is sitting on the floor or standing over a table. Your hamster may want to jump off of you, which can lead to injury, so it should be kept as close to the hard surface below as possible.
• When you pick up your hamster, you can also lie down on the floor and let it run up and down your chest.
• If you have trouble getting your hamster in your hands, you can also do this by gently pushing it into a mug or small bowl.
• Remember that hamsters usually don't like being held for long periods of time. Start with a few seconds and gradually increase the amount of time you have with your hamster. If the hamster starts to struggle, return it back to the cage as gently and slowly as you took it from there.
• Since in nature, hamsters are the object of hunting predators, they are afraid of sudden changes in the environment. Slowly moving your hands when you pick up your hamster will help reduce his fear of being grabbed by a predator.

5 Don't punish your hamster if it bites you. Hamsters usually don't understand punishment because they can't make a clear connection between their behavior and its consequences. Instead of swearing at the hamster or spanking him, it is better to gently blow in his face and say the word "no" in a firm voice. The flow of air is likely to make the hamster recoil and squint. This should be sufficient to prevent repeated bites.

Method 2 of 3: Playing with your hamster outside the cage

1. 1 Secure the area for your hamster. Your hamster needs daily play outside the cage. For these moments to truly bring him joy, you must secure the playing area for him. For example, you may need to remove or hide electrical wires that it might chew on. You should also block any crevices that your hamster can crawl through and hide in, such as under furniture or between the cushions of a sofa.
   • If you have other pets, the hamster should not be allowed to enter the play area.
   • A clean bathroom is a good place for your hamster to play. Make sure the toilet lid is closed to prevent your hamster from accidentally falling into the toilet.
2. 2 Place your hamster in a walking ball. The walking ball is a great way to get your hamster to exercise. Pet stores sell different types of walking balls. Since hamsters don't see very well, make sure the walking ball you are purchasing is made of clear plastic.
   • After placing the hamster in a walking ball, additionally fix its cap with a piece of tape so that it cannot accidentally open while the hamster is walking in the ball.
   • Placing the walking ball on a carpet surface will make the hamster work harder due to the resistance created by the carpet.
   • Watch your hamster closely as he walks in the ball so he doesn't bump into furniture or approach stairs.
   • Keep your hamster in the ball for no longer than 20 minutes and provide it with water and food immediately after returning to the cage.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

   
   
   Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgery Dr. Elliot, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal care. Graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Has been working in the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

   Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
   Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgery

   Dr. Elliot, an experienced veterinarian, advises: “When using the walking ball, make sure that there are no other animals in the room. Your dog will probably have fun running after a moving ball, but the hamster can get scared by this and injure itself. "

3. 3 Place your hamster in a large playpen. The playpen is another alternative to entertaining your hamster outside the cage. Ideally, the playpen should be larger than the hamster's cage. To make the playpen interesting to your hamster, place a few toys inside for him. Watch the hamster closely while playing in the arena so that he cannot get out of it and escape.
   • Hamster playpens are available at pet stores.
4. 4 Let your hamster run in an open area. You can also let your hamster run in a safe area without a ball or playpen. If you are doing things in the bathroom, you can let your hamster run around in the bathroom itself. Give your hamster some toys and create some obstacles to keep him interested.
   • You can make an obstacle course for your hamster using tools at hand, such as empty cardboard boxes and toilet paper tubes.
5. 5 If the hamster escapes, track it down. Despite your best efforts to protect and keep an eye on your hamster's walking area, he may find a way to sneak out and hide. If you can't find your hamster after its playing time, check the most likely hiding spots: behind and under furniture, between cushions, inside boxes and boxes, and so on.
   • If you are unsuccessful in examining everything, consider placing your hamster food next to or inside the cage to encourage him to return to the cage.

Method 3 of 3: Playing with your hamster inside the cage

1. 1 Place the running wheel in the cage. The treadmill in the hamster's cage is the main source of physical activity. Your hamster's legs can be injured on a wire-bar running wheel, so buy either a one-piece or a mesh running wheel for it. Also, give preference to a wheel that can be fixed to the inner wall of the cage.
   • The treadmill should be large enough (at least 30 cm in diameter) so that the back of the hamster does not arch backwards when running in it.
   • Listen for the sounds of the wheel as your hamster runs in it. If it's too noisy, it might be better to move the hamster's cage outside of your own bedroom. Hamsters are nocturnal animals, so chances are good that your hamster will run around in his cage at night.
2. 2 Place toys in the cage. Your hamster will not only want to run in a wheel. He will love exploring tunnels and playing with toys to chew on. Having toys specially designed for grinding your hamster's teeth will keep them in good condition. Instead of buying a lot of toys from the pet store, you can make your own.
3. 3 Keep an eye on your hamster. Although it is unlikely that the hamster will escape from the cage, you need to make sure that it is safe to play inside the cage. For example, if a hamster's cage is made of lattices, then he can begin to climb along its walls. The wire of the trellises can not only cause injury to the legs, but also the hamster can be seriously injured if it falls as a result of unsuccessful climbing the walls of the cage.
   • If you see a hamster trying to climb the cage walls, slowly lower your hand into the cage and gently return the hamster from the cage wall to the floor of the cage.

Tips

• Syrian hamsters are usually easier to tame than dwarf hamsters.
• Hamsters are nocturnal animals, so they sleep during the day and are active at night. Instead of waking your hamster to play in the middle of the day, wait until late at night.
• Play with your hamster daily. To keep your hamster cheerful and happy, he needs to communicate with you on a daily basis.
• Hamsters are loners, so they don't need a second hamster to play together. Also, hamsters are very territorial, so don't put more than one hamster in a cage.
• Learn to understand your hamster's body language. If the hamster is apathetic for a very long time, not interested in games, you should put him back in the cage, as he may already be tired. Try playing with it at a different time.
• If you have children, keep a close eye on them when they play with your hamster.
• Never squeeze your hamster.
• Do not lift the hamster by the back of the body. This is exactly what birds of prey do.
• Don't bathe your hamster! Sand baths are best suited for them. When you wash, it is likely that your hamster's hair will be washed out of the fats it needs.
• If this is your first time acquiring such a pet, then it is better to start with a Syrian hamster.