Hamsters deserve as much love, affection, and time as any other pet. Caring for your pet is important, as well as making sure that it is healthy and happy. By making sure that you maintain a safe, clean environment for your hamster, you can give it the chance to live a long, content life with you.
1Leave your hamster alone in its cage for a day or two when you first bring it home. Making sure it's undisturbed will allow your pet to grow accustomed to its new environment before you handle it. You should resist the urge to pet or pick up your pet, as this may alarm them and break its trust. Instead, start by putting your hand in the cage and allowing it to sniff you so that it becomes familiar with your scent. If your hamster sniffs you before running away, understand that this is normal behavior. Continue doing this for two or three days.
2Place a treat in your hand. Remain still and allow the hamster to come to you. Wait for a few moments to give them time to accept the treat, but be cautious, as they may nibble your fingers or bite you. After a few times of taking the food, they might eventually climb onto your palm and eat there. While they are completely focused on enjoying the treat, slowly lift them into the air and place them onto your lap. With a firm but gentle grip, carefully stroke their fur. After a moment, place them back into the cage. Performing this action will help create a trust bond.
3Train your hamster to perform simple tricks. Place a treat slightly over their head and encourage them to stretch up for it. Every time you do this, tell them in a firm voice, "Stand." Your hamster may eventually stand whenever you command them to, even if there is no treat. If they obey you, make sure to reward their behavior. This method can also be applied to other tricks, such as "paw", only you place the food in front of them so that they have to reach out for it.
4Watch your hamster's body language. It can be a strong indicator of your pet's health and happiness. It can tell you a lot about your hamster and what it is thinking. You can keep track of its regular habits so that if something is wrong, you can immediately tell by watching its behavior. The more you know your pet, the faster you'll be able to catch signs of deteriorating health or happiness. The following steps will help you to find out what you're trying to know.
5Check the eyes and ears. If they are alert or looking around, your hamster has just seen or heard something of interest. If they are laid back and half closed, your hamster is tired and you should let it sleep.
6Check its body. If it is standing motionless on two legs, it hears and sees something and is standing to get a better look. If it is curled up in a ball, your hamster may be tired.
7Check its behavior. Squealing is usually a bad sign. It could be your hamster is angry, annoyed, scared, or in pain. Check for illness or other possible causes. Squeaking means that either your hamster is frightened or wishes to be left alone. Constant gnawing on the cage means that your hamster needs something to chew on, as it is bored or stressed. If your hamster frequently runs, stops, frantically looks around, and ferociously grooms itself before repeating the routine, your hamster may be bored, stressed, wanting to exercise, anxious or flustered. Give it something to do and check for any sources of stress. Yawning and stretching are good signs, as it means they are content or recently had good sleep. If your hamster starts showing any type of irregular behavior (coughing, sneezing, wheezing, walks hunched up, etc.), it could be sick.
How can I teach my hamster to get used to people?
- Start by putting your hand in the cage and doing simple things, like ruffling the bedding or changing his water and food. Try to do this every day. Over time, your hamster will get used to your presence, and thus other people's as well!
Can I teach my hamster to sit like a dog?
- Not really. Hamsters are not like dogs; they don't listen to commands as easily, nor are they as willing to please their owners. You might be able to train your hamster to do other tricks, however, such as running through an obstacle course.
- Depending on the breed, hamsters live between 2 and 5 years (depending on its health). Don't get disappointed when they pass away because you know that your hamster loved you.
- Hamsters that don't get tamed, that are constantly ignored or mistreated, will bite and exhibit other aggressive behavior and are no fun to have around.
- If you don't respond to your hamsters body language, you could endanger its health!
- Keep a close eye on the hamster. Don't let it run around where it pleases without watching it. They like small dark tunnels like empty toilet paper tubes, but they can also get into more dangerous places so keep your eye open.
- Remember, if your hamster wants to go to sleep, if it wants to eat, and if it wants to drink, let him/her.
In other languages:
Español: ganarte la confianza de tu hámster, entrenarlo y comunicarte con él, Italiano: Guadagnarti la Fiducia del tuo Criceto, Addomesticarlo e Comunicare con Lui, Русский: завоевать доверие хомячков, приручить их и научиться общаться с ними, Português: Ganhar a Confiança, Amançar e se Comunicar com o Seu Hamster
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