How To

How to Stop Hamsters From Biting

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(5 Ratings)

While most hamsters are gentle, friendly pets with loads of personality, they can still occasionally bite their owners if upset or provoked. Through patience and training, however, you can stop your hamster from biting you and others.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Thick gloves
  1. Step 1

    Stop a hamster from biting by washing your hands thoroughly before you handle it. Hamsters have relatively poor eyesight, and if you handle a hamster immediately after eating, your pet may confuse your finger with a tasty treat.

  2. Step 2

    Avoid handling or picking up your pet hamster while it is sleeping. Remember that hamsters are nocturnal animals, and they will instinctively try to bite you if you disturb them during the day when they are trying to sleep. Try setting a little food in your pet hamster's cage first to see if that arouses its interest, and then pet it gently on its back before lifting it out of the cage.

  3. Step 3

    Use a thick pair of gloves to protect yourself while you handle a hamster that is biting you frequently. By allowing the hamster to bite repeatedly without consequence, it will begin to calm down and stop biting as it gets used to being handled. Eventually, the biting behavior while cease once the hamster starts to trust you.

  4. Step 4

    Continue to pet and stroke your hamster on its back even as it is biting you. Some hamsters are simply more nervous than others, and it may take a bit of patience on your part to reinforce the bond between you and your pet.

  5. Step 5

    Call your pet hamster by its name before you handle it in order to stop the biting behavior. Hamsters can be trained to respond to their names, and if you call out your pet's name before picking it up, it won't be as surprised or annoyed when you put your hand into the cage.

  6. Step 6

    Handle your hamster gently at all times. A hamster might bite if it feels it is in danger, especially if you squeeze it or pick it up too quickly. Hamsters are used to being close to the ground and might act alarmed if you're constantly walking around with it in your hands or on your shoulder.

Tips & Warnings
  • Never feed your pet hamster any type of meat. Hamsters are natural carnivores, and you may actually encourage them to bite your fingers if you feed them steady diets of insects or mealworms. Stick with a veterinarian-approved grain-based hamster food.

Comments  

buggers said

Flag This Comment

on 10/10/2009 @ caitsith666:

WHOA! Go easy on the language! Didn't your parents teach you manners, you imbecile?! If you can't speak sensibly/politely, then your silence is better than the foul words you write here! If you don't agree with anything written here, either correct it politely or just shut the F*** up! (in your own words!)
And in response to your mindless rambling (and for youe information so you can educate yourself), hamsters DO respond to names! Chicken is just fine as any other meat, and it's not the taste of flesh, but the SMELL of it!! They have a keener sense of smell than most dogs!

Flag This Comment

on 7/9/2009 you are an F*ing retard
the crap you say

they do NOT respond to names
as for petting while they may bite? WTF?
if they are biting put then right the hell back in the cage

as for meats
all but chicken are ok
they can not
i repeat can not get a taste for flesh

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Pets Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Pets
eHow_eHow Pets