My new hamster is a biter!

[zombieZOO]

I was given a baby dwarf hamster, and I was wondering if there is anyway I can stop his biting. If you put your had in the cage to change his food/water, or go to pick him up, he bites. I don't really mind because it doesn't hurt, but my little sister is scared of the little guy. Is there anyway I can stop his biting? Or is it something I am just going to have to put up with?

[HandcuffedAngel]

Is he really biting, or is he just nibbling? Chances are he's just checking to see whether you're food or not but he won't actually bite. My girl does that, it's really not a big deal and I don't think there's anyway to put a halt on curiosity and hamster instincts.

Just show your sister that it's fine and doesn't hurt and don't pull away from him out of fear.

[zombieZOO]

He's actually biting.

[Chaos]

If it doesn't hurt, trust me he's not biting. I had two truely aggressive dwarves and it HURT when they bit (they were only aggressive because for the first 6 months they'd been handled roughly).

How long ago did you get him? Did you spend time socializing him with food, getting him used to your scent and letting him crawl on YOUR hand, or just pick him up? He may not have had much socialization as a baby, so he's probably either scared witless, or just checking you out. Slowing down and getting him to trust you before picking him up is always the best idea.

[zombieZOO]

I think it's been two weeks. Anyways, he doesn't seem interested when you have food. He just sits in a corner and stares, or comes up, sniffs you, nips you, and runs back. Picking him up obviously doesn't work because he bites you. Or nips, or whatever you consiter it. :)

Should I just keep putting my hand in the cage and letting him sniff me until he feels comfortable with me? How do you know when he's ready to get picked up? Or should I always just wait for him to come and sit in my hand?

[HandcuffedAngel]

I let my hamsters come into my hand. Shinsei kind of taste at me first and then she'll climb right up there. Same with PopTart. He just sniffs me and then walks into my hand.

It's a lot easier on them because they can do it themselves and they not being "snatched" by something. They're prey animals. They are fearful of being grabbed because they think you're a predator.

You can also just lift them up once they go on your hand so you can avoid wrapping your hand around them.

[zombieZOO]

I don't like wrapping my hands around them. I always think I am going to crush their insides.


Alrighty, so his behaviour is totally normal then? I was a little worried there might be something wrong with him, but I was almost positive I was doing something wrong, not him.

[HandcuffedAngel]

It's normal. Since they are prey animals they defend themselves any way they can.

As long as the biting doesn't hurt, just stand your ground and leave your hand where it's at. Don't show it fear because it will try to fend you off like you're a threat.

It shouldn't take long for it to get comfortable and climb onto your hand by itself.

[zombieZOO]

Good! I want whats best for the little guy, and I don't want him to be timid and anti social.

[pixibubbles]

you could rub his bedding on your hands so you smell like cage... that might relax him... and make sure that you dont handle food before playing with him.

[zombieZOO]

you could rub his bedding on your hands so you smell like cage... that might relax him... and make sure that you dont handle food before playing with him.

I always wash my hands before and after I take out my rodents or dogs. My mouse gets nervous whenever I smell like another animal, so it's a habbit now. So I don't know... would I still smell like food then?

[pixibubbles]

Sounds like you shouldnt... only time my ham ever bit me was when i had just finished peelign eggs lol

rubbing some of his bedding on your hands might be good still so you would smell like cage... it works with some hamsters... others just look at you as if saying "do you really think i'll fall for that?"