Silkroad Online Forums

Hey,well, here's the story. My brother got a hamster for christmas, but he is only 6, so i have to make sure the hamster gets used to use a bit, and help him out. The only problem is, its not going so well. I have read a bunch of articles on the internet, about being slow, no sudden movements, etc etc. First we gave him treats, and only stood close, so he wouldnt be afraid (this all happened in his cage btw). We had our hands near the cage so he can smell us, and get used to us, but all he did was bite lol. I often put my hand in the cage, or finger, so he would get used to me, and not bite, but, its not getting better. About 30mins ago, i put my hand in the cage (NOTE: i always wait until he wakes up, and starts walking around, i never wake him up intentionally) and he bit my index finger, and kept biting me for about 30 seconds, just holding on . I can't say it HURT, but its kinda annoying. I've read a bunch of stuff, that you should put a treat in your hand, and let the hamster get it, but all it does it bite me (unless im holding the treat in front of him, with 2 fingers). It's getting pretty annoying. I also read, that during hibernation (probably now right? ), they may be a bit moody (like women, when they get their period), and that may be the reason he bites so much? I honestly dont know. Any help would be appreciated, I've also read, that its nice to put on a leather glove, and let him get used to it. I put one on, and he bit me, again holding on for like a minute. Im not really sure if this is very healthy for the hamster. I really have no idea how to take care of this thing . Any help would be appreciated. ty.

sounds like rabbies. sorry for ya.
imagine if something 5000% bigger than you started puting its hand, that is larger than you, near you. give it some more time christmas was like 3 days ago.

Never put your hand through the top of his cage, never wake him up. When he is awake always let him come to you. Open up his cage and wait for him to come up and stick his head out, when he sticks his head out, give him, his favourite treat. He is probably scared of you, and the only defence he has, is to bite you.

Edit: I never understand buying a small animal for a child, they always get bored and then left. Either parents will feed and clean it out, with no exercise and no handling. Or the parents will get "rid" of the poor animal.

Thnx Isis for the useful post, btw, the opening of the cage is on the side, so i cant rlly open it and wait for him to come out, he'd crawl out and possible jump off, he is on a little stool, but anyway, i wouldnt really mind taking care of him, if my brother doesnt want to, im just helping him out a bit, since he is too afraid to even stick his finger near the cage.

Can you not move him somewhere else? To a safer place?

Well, ofc i can, but i still can't have it open, cause he'd jump out, and run all over the place. Maybe, when we get rid of our christmas tree, there will be a lot more room, so i can build him a little playground, or idk lolz, must suck being in a cage

hamsters are for eating

He won't just jump out, especially if you're sitting there.

Ye, he didnt, but i noticed today that he got almost out, but i think i misunderstood you , i always open the cage, to give him a treat or something

It will get to the point that he will trust you, as he knows he will get a treat if he comes to you. And might climb onto your hand.

Good idea to make an exercise area, with tunnels and things to play with. Hamsters love toilet roll tubes, for chewing and running through.

Yeah, he had the wheel, but we took it away, since we read in a book that it makes them stupid thnx for the help

Doesn't make them stupid...

ye it does

Explain to me why it makes them stupid?

published hamster book advice > advice from a person on an internet gaming forum with an interior design diploma that likes animals

Well, not stupid, but it makes them like, stupider lol idk how to explain it, makes them get a little crazy...

But not all advise in books are correct though.

Although that may be true, the books have more credibility. I would be more inclined to trust a published book.

Ye, i know, but think about it, imagine you stood onto a wheel to run for straight, getting no where , well, idc, i wouldnt have kept it there anyway, not much room in the cage

Lol, arguements on wheel's making hamsters dumber, or not.... xD
It can just be me, but i've never really seen hamsters as intelligent creatures, so a little dumber or smarter... who cares right ?:P

That is probably the funniest thing I have ever heard off.. Just doesn't even make any sense, how can a small rodent, become stupid from a wheel? Small animals need things to do, to stop them from getting bored...

Edit:


Then you need to get him a bigger cage.

NO.. I don't agree with that

If you knew someone had a pet. "A hamster" Who would you trust Moar? A book?

I know, this one is only temporary.

Can't get over the wheel thing though.. Sorry!

lol

The only thing I found with wheels, they were annoying because of the noise.

Ye, very annoying lol, couldnt sleep the 1st day, so i moved the cage to the kitchen

iv had hamsters in the past just pick it up dont wave your fingers in its face pick it up let it walk around on it, it will smell you and get used to that way, it will also know your not a threat after that.

before anyone comments this does work i promis you that my ex gave me her hamster before she moved away i was warned it tends to bite but in the whole 2 years i had it i never once got bitten by it.


Although hamsters are little smell buggers watch out dont lock the cage door properly or put it back together properly or even have a shit cage it will escape and you will for weeks be hearing scratching under your floor boards before you can get your hands on it.

dont put them near other hamsters either.

Are you nuts? that thing will bite my fingers off