How to hold my scared hamster?

Question

My hamster is a scared hamster and any time i pick him up he jumps out my hand and runs back into the little house. How do i hold him?

Answer 1

Cup him with both hands. Put both hands over his head and then ever so gentle bring them together under his feet, scooping him up into your hands. With his encapsuled in your hands you can remove your hands from the cage and over a surface like the bed, or a desk just in case he decides to take a leap!

Then you can open your hands at the top a little bit so he can peep out, not too much that he can escape though!

Training a hammie can be difficult, but sometimes you need to be firm! My hamster wouldn't come out of his bed to begin with - so I opened it and took him out! He soon got used to it and now he loves to be handled and played with!

Be gentle, but firm, and don't give up!

Good luck :)

Answer 2

I wouldn't put food in your hand, as it could bite you and your reaction could make it more frightened of you.



When you change the cage, rub your hands through their bedding and sawdust. Try to get your scent on everything. That will start to get your hamster used to your scent as the hamster will be familiar with your scent.



Try not to have used strong lotions on your hands before handing your hamster and don't have the scent of their or your food on your hands.



Your hamster will prefer you to hold them securely, but not tightly, with both hands so they feel safe. You can buy 'swaddling bags' for your hamster to sit in to feel safe while out of their cage.



Just give it time, give your hamster time to get used to your scent.

Answer 3

Do not touch your hamster for a week after getting him. Make sure he has all the necessities he needs and leave him alone. You could watch him though, after that you could pick him up. Hamsters have no brains so they will never agree to be picked up. You have to corner them and soon they will realize they are safe. There is no other way, I know!

Answer 4

Try with food on your hand, or pick it up with two hands, lift is out of the cage and let it run across your hands.