Hamsters don’t always appreciate the company of their peers, but believe it or not, they are very social animals that enjoy spending time outside their cage and being handled by their owners. Taming and holding your hamster are excellent ways to bond and play, and can also help detect any potential health issues. But remember that your hamster may never have been handled before, so be patient before getting started.
Hamsters are very affectionate animals that often enjoy being held just as much as we love doing it. Most hamsters can be tamed quickly through regular and gentle handling, but to establish total trust, I recommend following certain procedures to tame your hamster. This will minimize stress and anxiety and reduce the risk of being bitten on the fingers.
Persistence (and a good dose of bribery) will pay off if you follow these basic steps to tame your hamster, and in a few weeks (or even a few months), your anxious, furry ninja will become a cuddly, happy hamster.
1. Start by helping your hamster settle in
Take a moment to put yourself in your hamster’s shoes. Imagine being suddenly ripped from the bright lights and familiar smells of the pet store, only to find yourself in a new cage, with unfamiliar eyes staring at you. That would be pretty scary, right? It’s the scenario your own hamster will experience when you first adopt it. So be patient with him, give him time to settle, adjust, and explore his new environment.
As a family that recently experienced the taming process, I know it’s almost impossible to prevent little hands from opening the cage to cuddle their new best friend. But believe me, the more you give your hamster time to relax, the faster the taming process will be.
I advise you to give your hamster at least 2 to 3 days (if not longer) to get used to his new surroundings. Talk to him regularly during this time so he can learn to recognize your voice, and check that he is happy to engage in normal hamster activities, such as eating, drinking, and playing in your presence.
As tempting as these cute little furballs are, don’t rush this first step of your hamster’s taming process, as it’s important for him to start trusting you from the very beginning.
2. Offer some treats to your hamster
When your hamster starts to show signs of curiosity towards you, for example, by approaching the bars, you can begin to entice him by offering a treat. However, you should wait until he is completely awake and never invade his personal space, such as his nest or litter. So remember to always take things at your hamster’s pace.
To start, try giving him treats through the bars of the cage, and once he is happy to take them from your fingers, you can gently place your hand inside – offering additional treats from the palm of your hand.
Make sure your hands are clean and try to keep them as still as possible, as any sudden movement might scare him. Don’t worry if your hamster seems a bit hesitant at first; if you continue the process gradually, he will quickly become accustomed to your scent. It’s also a good idea to vary the snacks you offer him, as this encourages him to try new foods, and if you choose something he’s not interested in, he’s less likely to venture out.
Another good way to bond with your hamster is to place some toilet paper that you have handled in his cage so that he can nest with it.
3. Start playing with him
Find a safe, secure place to hold your hamster, play with him, and bond outside of his cage. This could be a large box, a playpen, or, as we prefer, a bathtub.
Make sure the space is comfortable for both you and your hamster and provides a soft landing if your hamster decides to jump. Carefully coax your hamster into a container or cup using a well-tested treat. At this stage, your hamster should be curious enough to jump right into the container.
Carefully carry him to your safe play space. Once in the bathtub, gently set him down and let him run around, sniff you, climb on you, and get to know you. Provide tubes and hamster toys for him to scamper, climb, and nibble on.
4. Learn to hold your hamster correctly
The next step is to get your hamster used to being held. Some people find this scary because un-tamed hamsters are often nervous. Therefore, if you are anxious, I suggest wearing gloves at first so you don’t fear being bitten.
Once he has become familiar with the safe play area, I suggest slowly placing your hands in the path of your hamster and letting him run on them when he is on the ground. If he is happy to do this several times, wait for him to climb onto your hands and gently encourage your hamster to move from one hand to the other while supporting his back and bottom. Remember that hamsters can move quickly, so keep them low at first while supporting them.
If he seems comfortable in your hands, you can try to stroke him in the palm of your hand, using a small brush or a finger.
Once your hamster is happy to be held, the final step of taming is to get him used to being calmly cradled in your arms.
It is very important that you pick up your hamster without scaring him, so do not lunge for him or grab him. Hamsters are known to have poor eyesight, and any quick movements may startle them.
When he shows signs of trust and is happily running on your hands, start lifting him higher in the air before putting him back down so he understands he won’t get hurt. You should support his bottom in a cupping motion to make him feel secure. If he starts to wiggle his feet or squeak, put him back down immediately. Don’t grip him too tightly when he moves, and don’t pressure him to stop.
Repeat this process regularly and for longer periods, and they will eventually get used to being held, to the point of sitting comfortably in your hand and enjoying being cuddled.