How do I bond with my hamster? How do I get my hamster to trust me? How do I make my hamster not bite me? These are some of the common questions I get from my boarders. As someone who works in small pet animal services, it's important for me to establish trust with my boarders quickly, so I'm always searching for new ways to get closer to my hammies faster.
Hamsters are pretty obliging animals and can be tamed with regular, gentle handling. The key is let your hamster learn that there is no reason to be afraid of you and once your hamster has acclimated to you, it can enjoy being held as much as we enjoy doing it.
Growing up, some of my hamsters would even fall asleep in my hands or on my belly while I watched TV. I called them my lap hamsters.
Here are some of my tips and tricks to help you bond with your furry ninja. I use them whenever I do hamster boarding as they have helped me to establish trust and bond fast.
Treats Bribery + Hand-feeding =. Valuable things
Treats bribery do pay off but never just hand over treats. Make hand-feeding part of that bribery. Hand-feeding builds trust, provides socialization, and helps boost your hamster's confidence. By getting your hamster eat off from your finger, you are showing your hammie that you are the gateway to valuable things.
If they steal the snack but did not return to their hideout, let your hand continue to rest in the cage while they are eating. This will get them to familiarize with your scent and also assure them that you mean no harm.
Over time, let them crawl onto your palm to take that snack. Never attempt to grab your hamster. The goal is to have your hamster sit on your palm and eating it.
Skinship is important
The more skin contact you have with your hamster, the more you are showing your hamster that you mean no harm.
Start with short, light pats while feeding. Gently pat its back or head. The brave ones wouldn't mind, but the timid ones will run back to their hut. Don't give up. Try again at the next treat time.
Be intrusive not invasive
Intrude the space around their sleep hut without touching them or their hut. You can fuss around with their accessories, touch their food bowl, spot clean their cage while they are sleeping. The curious ones will come out from their hut to observe what's happening. Some might even want to smell you. Whatever you do, refrain from touching them. This will help them learn that even though there are movement around their cage, they are still in a safe place.
Over time, you can start peeping into their huts and offer them a treat while they are sleeping.
Let them come to you
I never grab my hamsters. Imagine a huge giant hand towering over you and picked you up. Wouldn't you freak out? Try waking them up gently by calling their name instead. Have a treat ready. Whatever it is, always let them come to you on their own accord.
Finger correction
Some hamsters confuse finger as food when they are eating out of your hand. After all, hamsters are omnivorous. So it is important to teach them that your finger is not food. You can do so by gently tapping their mouth once in a quick motion, saying no when they do so. Remove your hand and treat out of the cage, wait for a few seconds and offer the treat again.
Patience, routine and gentleness
Bonding and taming a hamster requires time, love and patience. The time it takes for your hamster to become tame will depend on individual pet and your effort. Some hamsters relax very quickly, whereas it may take much longer for others to learn. Younger hamsters in general are easier to tame and some might never let you hold them. When it comes to pets, you'll have to know their personality first and train accordingly. Patience, routine and gentleness will be the key to success when training your hamster. 🐹
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