Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Help the hamster get used to you
• Part 2 of 3: Pick up your dwarf hamster
• Part 3 of 3: Helpful Tips for Taming Your Hamster
• Tips
• Warnings

Many species of dwarf hamsters (Campbell's hamster, Djungarian hamster, Roborovsky's hamster) can live as pets, and the most popular of these is Campbell's hamster. Regardless of what kind of dwarf hamster you decide to have, you need to adhere to a certain strategy in order to successfully tame your furry baby. If you can tame your hamster and train him to sit in your arms, the little animal will be friendly not only to you, but also to your family members and your friends.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Help the hamster get used to you

1. 1 Let your dwarf hamster get used to its new habitat. These fluffy animals look so cute and touching that, of course, you will want to immediately pick up your new pet. However, if you've just brought your hamster into the house, give it time to get used to its cage. Leave the pet alone for a day or so - during this time, the hamster will learn the new environment and things that are in his cage. The calmer your hamster feels in his new home, the easier it will be for you to tame your pet.
   • During adaptation, the hamster will also pay attention to what you are doing around its cage.
2. 2 Be quiet when you are near the cage. While the hamster is getting used to his cage and your presence, try to stay close to the cage, but do not try to communicate with the hamster. Just sit next to the cage and watch TV or read a book. Give your pet time to get used to your presence before you start taming the animal.
3. 3 Talk to your hamster. After a few days, when the hamster gets used to the new home a little, start talking to the pet so that he gets to know your voice. It is especially important to talk to the animal if your pet belongs to Russian dwarf hamsters - these animals have poor eyesight and are guided mainly by hearing. The better the hamster recognizes your voice, the less likely it will bite you when you try to pick it up. Even if you have a different kind of hamster, be sure to talk to your pet - this will help him get used to you faster.
   • Always try to talk to your pet in a gentle, low voice.

Part 2 of 3: Pick up your dwarf hamster

1. 1 Choose the right time to tame your hamster. In nature, hamsters are nocturnal, that is, they are most active at night. Set aside time at the end of the day, such as after dinner, when your pet is more likely to be awake. If you see your hamster just waking up, wait 15 minutes before trying to pick it up.
   • If your dwarf hamster is sleeping, do not try to wake him up. If you disturb a sleeping animal, he will get scared, think that you are a threat to him, and will use his teeth to protect himself. Be patient and wait for the hamster to wake up on its own.
2. 2 Wash your hands. Before touching your hamster, wash your hands thoroughly to remove food odors from your skin. If the animal smells food, it will take your hands for a treat and taste them. Use unscented soap to wash your hands.
3. 3 Place your hands in your dwarf hamster's cage. Fold your palms into a bowl and slowly lower them into the pet's cage. Be sure to talk to your pet so that the hamster recognizes you and does not perceive your hands as a threat. Try not to make sudden movements or raise your voice, otherwise your pet may get scared.
   • If your pet is reluctant to climb into outstretched hands, try placing some tasty treats in the palm of your hand to lure the cautious animal.
   • Use a ladle or large serving spoon if the treat doesn't help the animal overcome its fear. Place the kitchen utensil on the bottom of the cage and wait for the hamster to climb into it (do not try catch the animal with a ladle). After that, lift the ladle with the hamster sitting in it and transfer the pet into your hands.
4. 4 Get the hamster out of the cage and let him examine you. When your pet is comfortable in your palms, gently lift it closer to you. Try to gently unfold the animal so that its muzzle is facing your face. Seeing you can help your pet better navigate what is happening and reduce the stress associated with getting out of the cage.
   • After removing the hamster from the cage, give the animal the opportunity to freely climb over your body. If the animal has the opportunity to study you, it will feel more comfortable. Try to move as little as possible as the hamster runs over you and climbs, clinging to your clothes.
   • Try sitting down or even lying on the floor so the hamster can easily run over you.
5. 5 Handle your hamster daily. To tame your hamster, you need to spend time with it every day. Try to pick up your pet several times a day for about five minutes each time.If you persist and practice with your pet every day, your hamster will soon become tame and will climb into your palms on its own.
   • Try to set aside some time to interact with your pet and devote that time to taming the pet every day. In this case, the hamster will know exactly when you will come.

Part 3 of 3: Helpful Tips for Taming Your Hamster

1. 1 Learn to distinguish between aggressive biting and harmless biting. When you tame your hamster, you will most likely have to experience the sharpness of a fluffy baby's teeth. A pygmy hamster can bite you if it is scared and thinks you are a threat to it. In addition, the animal uses its teeth if it is tired of sitting in a cage or it does not feel very well. Unlike biting, with which the hamster tries to defend itself, careful biting is a natural way that helps the hamster explore objects in its environment.
   • Hamster bites rarely cause bleeding, but the pain you feel will make you pull your hand back and treat your pet with more caution. Light biting is usually not painful.
2. 2 If the hamster has bitten you, you need to properly respond to the undesirable behavior of the animal. If your pet uses teeth, blow sharply on his face. The strong air flow is unpleasant for the animal, but does not harm its health. This feedback will let the hamster know that biting is not allowed. Even if an unexpected bite scared you, do not drop the hamster - a fall from a height can injure a small animal.
   • Place more toys in the cage, such as toilet paper rolls or kitchen towels. This will help keep the hamster entertained, so he doesn't get bored and is more likely to bite less.
   • If you blow on your pet's face every time you bite, and the extra toys no longer fit in the cage, but the furry animal continues to bite you, take your hamster to the vet. The specialist will examine the animal and suggest strategies for solving the problem.
3. 3 Don't stick your hand into the dwarf hamster's cage. Dzungarian hamsters have a strong territorial instinct, so if your pet belongs to this particular species, he can react aggressively when he sees your hand in a cage and rush to defend his living space with his teeth. The likelihood of an attack is especially high if you thrust your hand into the cage unexpectedly for the animal, without warning him of your presence. Take extra care when reaching out to your pet in the cage.
   • Try to look at the situation from the hamster's point of view. His body is small and fragile, and your hand looks like something huge to him. It is not surprising that a small animal perceives it as a threat to its living space.

Tips

• It will take a few days to two weeks to tame a dwarf hamster.
• Give the dwarf hamster a treat when you tame it, but only if the hamster does not bite you.
• It is believed that the dwarf hamster is much easier to tame than the larger Syrian hamster. However, taming a Roborovsky hamster often takes longer than taming a Syrian hamster.
• If you are trying to tame a Djungarian hamster, be patient - it will most likely take more time and effort before your pet becomes affectionate and friendly. Try to pick up your pet more often and spend more time interacting with the furry animal.
• To avoid bites, apply Bitter Apple Lady Anti-Nibbling Spray (available at pet supply stores) to your hands.
• If you are worried that your new pet might bite you, wear gloves (cotton or garden gloves) to protect your hands from bites and to feel more confident.
• If you are trying to tame a Chinese pygmy hamster, be extra careful and try not to scare your pet - these animals are more fearful than other types of hamsters.
• When picking up your hamster, be careful not to drop it. If the hamster falls, it can get serious, or even fatal, injuries.

Warnings

• Do not run your hamster around the cage trying to catch it. This can greatly scare the animal.
• Never poke your fingers into the face of a Dzungarian hamster - in response to such impudence, the pet may grab your hand.