Tameing a Hamster- A new pet

  While visiting one of my friends, my friend's brother showed me his hamster. He said I could hold it. it was hard to pick it up, and when I did, it squeaked, ran up my arm, jumped down, and ran. If the door to the bed room had not been closed, this could have ended in tragedy. But as it was we caught it fairly easily. This hamster was terrified.
   On craigslist I recently saw an add for a free hamster. The person giving it away claimed that it bit way too much to be held and now was "as much as I hate to do this" only suitable for snake food. This unfortunate hamster was agressive.
   If a hamster is terrified or "mean", it is not a very fun pet. It does not get exercise outside the cage and may not be given proper care. These hamsters are often given away.
  If you have a hamster like this, you may be surprised to hear that virtually all hamsters can become tame.
In this post I will write about how to tame a young hamster that you have just purchased.

1.    First of all, just totally leave the hamster alone for a few days. Do not try to pick it up, touch it, take it out of the cage, or lift up its "house".
2. Talk to your hamster and stick your hand in the cage. Do this every morning as soon as you can and also every evening before you go to bed for a few more days. DO NOT touch the hamster, but you can lift up the house.
3. Stick your hand palm up inside the cage with your hamster's favorite treat on your palm. Talk calmly to  your hamster. DO NOT wear gloves. You want the hamster to get used to your smell. Continue to do this until the hamster eats out of your hand.
4. When the hamster will eat out of your hand, begin petting it when it comes into your hand to get food. Again, don't wear gloves, and be very gentle.
5. When the hamster seems fairly calm when you pet it, you can pick it up. NEVER wear gloves or you will drop the hamster. Do not let it squirm out of your hand for at least 10 seconds. Every time you do this increase the time you hold it before setting it down and hand feed it treats. Hold your hands above the cage if your hamster squirms.
6. When you can hold your hamster for 1 minute with out it biting of squirming too much, you can let it run around in a safe room with the door shut, or place it in a ball.

Remember, the best time to hold your hamster is in the early morning and night. Do not wake up your hamster by picking it up or it will bite you. Do not drop the hamster if it bites.

In my next post I will tell you how to tame an aggressive hamster.

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