How to Stop Hamster Bites: A Guide to Prevent Fear-Based Nipping

Hamsters can chew sometimes, often once they really feel scared. Typically, your pet hamster can be a cuddly and affectionate companion, however in some circumstances, they may chew. It’s unusual for a hamster to be actually aggressive, as they typically chew on account of worry.

These tiny enamel could not trigger as a lot harm as these of different animals, however a chew will nonetheless damage and needs to be prevented. Happily, you’ll be able to regularly practice your hamster to turn out to be accustomed to dealing with and cease biting.

Why Do Hamsters Chew?

Tame hamsters are these which have been dealt with frequently, in order that they’re used to folks and do not get scared simply. However, hamsters that haven’t been dealt with a lot are often not very tame, they usually typically chew for those who attempt to choose them up. If you’re coping with these hamsters, crucial factor to recollect is that they are biting as a result of they’re afraid, not as a result of they’re aggressive. 

Methods to Cease the Biting

The important thing to dealing with a hamster that bites is endurance. You want to earn the belief of your hamster, and it is a gradual and gradual course of. This a superb strategy for those who’ve had a hamster for a while and biting continues to be a problem. It is also an effective way to introduce your self to a brand new hamster which may be somewhat shy at first.

Do not be discouraged if it takes a month and even longer to realize your hamster’s belief. And in case your hamster settles down and responds sooner than anticipated, you’ll be able to shorten the time between the steps. In case your hamster remains to be fearful at any level, return to the earlier step and spend somewhat extra time engaged on it.

Over time, your hamster will study to see you as a supply of treats and never be frightened of you. It’ll take some time, however it is going to be price it in the long run.

Week 1: Let Your Hamster Get Used to You 

Within the night when it is most energetic, spend a while sitting close to the cage and speaking to your hamster. You possibly can learn and even sing to it if you do not know what to say. The concept is to let your hamster modify to your presence, particularly your scent and your voice.

Bear in mind, transferring to a brand new cage in new environment may be very aggravating, so this era additionally provides your hamster an opportunity to regulate to life in its new house. At this level, do not attempt to contact your hamster.

Throughout these early days together with your hamster, chances are you’ll want to select it as much as do cage cleansing or return it to the cage after an escape. To select up your hamster earlier than it has absolutely realized to simply accept you, herd it right into a nook with a towel or the open mouth of a ingesting glass, then scoop it up gently within the towel or glass.

Week 2: Let Your Hamster Get Used to Your Hand

Whereas persevering with to sit down by the cage and speak to your hamster, place your hand contained in the cage. Transfer very slowly. On the primary day, put your hand simply contained in the door or on prime of the cage. Every day after that, attempt placing your hand in somewhat farther.

Do not attempt to contact your hamster, but when it turns into curious, let it sniff or discover your hand.

Week 3: Supply Your Hamster Treats

By now, you could have found a few of your hamster’s favourite treats. If not, attempt sunflower seeds, raisins, and apples. Whilst you ought to solely feed your pet these treats moderately, they are often nice coaching instruments.

Supply your hamster these goodies from the naked hand that you’ve got been placing in its cage. Finally, it would most likely come over to eat, which can provide help to achieve its belief.

Week 4: Pet Your Hamster

As soon as your hamster is taking treats comfortably, you’ll be able to start making an attempt to softly pet it. If it tolerates this, you’ll be able to transfer on to the following step of choosing up your hamster. In any other case, proceed to patiently provide treats and petting.

Week 5: Decide Up Your Hamster

In case your hamster accepts treats and means that you can contact it, it is time to attempt choosing up your pet. As soon as once more, go slowly and let your hamster information how far you get in every session.

A great strategy is to entice your hamster onto your arms with the treats. Then, you’ll be able to attempt scooping it up with each arms.

Place one hand on both facet of your hamster after which carry your arms collectively below its stomach. Gently cup your hamster in your arms, moderately than tightly gripping its again. Hamsters generally discover strain over their backs to be threatening at first.

Do not maintain your hamster excessive off the bottom in case it tries to leap out of your arms. At first, attempt holding it simply off the ground of its cage, regularly lifting it somewhat larger. Holding a hamster going through your physique could make it much less more likely to attempt to soar away.