Hamsters

When your hamster appears to be awake, happy, and relaxed, you can start making friends. • To begin with, come close to the cage and talk to it. Do not make any sudden movements. • Offer treats so the hamster has to come up to see you and get used to your hand. Hold your hand quite still and let the hamster sniff your fingers and hand. If you move suddenly you are likely to scare it and you may get nipped as it panics and runs away. • The next stage is to put some food on the palm of your open hand and let your hamster walk on to your hand to get the treat. When it is happy to do this, gently place your other hand over its back, lift it out of the cage, and bring it to your chest. • Use the same technique to put your hamster back in its cage. • Do not scoop or grab your hamster from above. From the hamster’s point of view this sudden move- ment means it is being attacked by a predator, it will be very frightened and is highly likely to bite you. • Likewise, do not hold your hamster by the loose skin at the scruff of the neck, this is painful and again, the hamster will tell you by biting. They can wriggle and are agile, and may turn and bite your fingers.

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Hamsters