How to tame a hamster in your hands: useful tips

A hamster, like any animal, is wary of new friends. When a person starts a rodent as a pet, he involuntarily thinks about friendly gestures that will help to gain the trust of a newly made pet of the family. Hand training is a great help, but it is important to have knowledge of psychology in order to better understand the animal.

Why does the hamster bite

1. Curiosity. The first and fundamental cause of the attack of rodents. Hamsters cannot touch objects, so they try everything on the tooth. Such actions help to know the world around, the animal wants to bite a finger as well as a carrot or apple. Young individuals are considered especially curious, therefore this reason is natural.
2. Sense of smell. The animals often bite their hands, because a pleasant smell emanates from them. As a rule, hamsters taste the fingers smeared with cream, or hands just washed with soap. Rodents are not able to distinguish between the pleasant aroma of shower gel and, for example, the smell of fruit. An important criterion for hamster bites is a human hand that emits a flavor due to food. Perhaps you recently ate dried fruit or a bun, the hamster also wants to try.
3. Defensive reaction. This reason is accompanied by aggression and resistance. When the newfound owner of the fluffy lump wants to pull him out of the cage, the hamster perceives such actions as a threat to life, so he begins to defend himself in every way. He backs away, wanting to get out of his hands, begins to bite and scratch at a frantic pace. The behavior is characteristic of animals that were previously tormented by children. Also often hamsters defend themselves, which the owners pull out of the cage by force.
4. Excitement. Unreasonable excitement is characteristic of animals; only zoologists are capable of giving a logical explanation for this factor. Rodents are most susceptible to such a manifestation of mood, they can be excited by sound, smell or an unidentified object. The hamster shows aggression by jumping, running from side to side, and the pet often backs away. When trying to pick it up, the hamster bites violently and sharply, digging into the skin. Also, the excitement can be more pleasant, it is associated with the game. The hamster encourages frolic by demonstrating teeth, but in this case the bite becomes weak, barely noticeable (bite).
5. Pregnancy. Often while carrying offspring in the womb, the female begins to bite strongly. This is partly due to the fact that she does not trust the owner. However, the main reason is a change in the hormonal background. The animal is being reconstructed into a lifestyle in which it is necessary to protect future babies. This is the call of nature. Since the female is too obstinate during this period, it is recommended to reduce tactile contact with her. Communicate with the pet through the cage, talk in a calm voice so that it does not see a threat in you. During pregnancy, it is necessary to completely exclude the procedure of accustoming to the hands.

Why does the hamster run away

Often new rodent owners exclaim, “Again he ran away and hid! Where is the hamster ?! ” Unfortunately, this is a common picture in which a pet can harm itself. It is easier to find and catch fluffy red-haired hamsters of the Syrian breed, they are not so nimble. But the Dzungarian favorites are obstinate, as a result of which their capture will require certain skills. There is only one reason for this behavior, which must be excluded in order for the animal to successfully become accustomed to hands.

In the genetic memory of rodents, life is buried in a mink, namely in a narrow and dark space.When a pet is released into the wild, he involuntarily begins to look for a nook, so the first thing hamsters are looking for is under the sofa or behind the cabinet. Using interior items, resourceful rodents hide from the light, they feel great in the dark. When you accustom a hamster to his hands, then as a mink you can offer him palms folded in a boat like a mink.

How to teach a hamster to hand

It's no secret that rodents are especially active at night, in particular in the evening. The pet sleeps almost all day, and wakes up closer to 18.00-21.00, it is after this period that it is necessary to start classes with him.

It is important to understand that the hamster has its own character, it may not get enough sleep due to the included light or the cry of household members. Therefore, it is worth observing the behavior of the pet, he must be in good mood, you will see this by appetite and general condition. If the pet is not in the mood, all efforts will come to naught.

When the hamster calmly walks around the house, washing, drinking some water and doing other “important” things, start training. If the animal hisses, squeaks and rushes to the cage, postpone classes.

Step number 1. Hand and voice training
Hamsters have poor eyesight, do not rely on him to remember the image. At this stage, it is necessary to accustom the pet to the hands and voice of the owner. Rodents smell in their memory, which is an important factor. To speed up your acquaintance, devote several hours a day to talking with your pet, it is not necessary to sit next to him around the clock.

Follow the scheme: in the morning, talk to the animal during the training camp, at lunch, ask the household to talk with the hamster, then take time in the evening for “intimate conversations”. Try to speak calmly, do not raise your voice and do not change intonation. Every day, in the evenings, lower your fist into the pet’s cage. Do not move the animal to sniff it. If the hamster starts to run in an attempt to hide, lubricate the skin with wood chips that you lay in a cage.

Step number 2. Hand feeding

It is necessary to take a seed, a slice of carrots or dried apricots and hold a treat between two fingers, and then put your hand in a cage. Do not jerk or make sudden movements, even if the animal bites. Wait until the pet begins to take treats without fear.

Step number 3. Call to sit on hand
Put your favorite pet treat on an open palm, gently place your hand in a cage and do not move. The hamster will be interested and try to sit on your palm, he will feel fear at the first contact of the paws with human skin. When the animal steps over fear, wait 5 minutes, stay in one position. Stroke the back and neck, do not press hard. Now it's time to take the pet out of the cage. Cover one palm with the other, forming a mink, pull out your hands. If the hole does not allow you to place two brushes at the same time, round your palm with a boat and take out the pet.

It’s easy to accustom a hamster if you have the knowledge of psychology. Study the causes of aggression and exclude them, then proceed to training. Follow the sequence of actions, conduct training several times daily.

Video: how to tame a Dzungarian hamster