Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Original poster

Top tips for a new hamster

15 replies

puddle · 03/09/2006 18:02

Got loads of good advice on Friday about hamsters and as a result we bought one yesterday.

As advised he's been in his cage settling in for 24 hours but we got him out this pm and he bit me and dp.

How do I get him used to us and being handled? Ay tips would be great - he just nipped my thumb but got dp o the knuckle (ouch!)

OP posts:
Itsthawooluff · 03/09/2006 18:23

Our hamster book said to leave them for a week with a cover over them, like a parrot in a cage, and only approaching them to feed them. Then holding a treat in one hand, and letting them nibble a treat whilst gently stroking their sides with the other hand.

Ours no longer nips when I pick her up, but yu wouldn't describe her as cuddly!!

rustybear · 03/09/2006 18:58

When it's new, use a handling tube (we used a jaffa cake tube, cut down). You can put it in the cage & the hamster will run in. Carefully lift it out & get the chid to sit with it on it's lap - the hamster will venture out in its own time, especially if tempted by titbits & there's no risk of dopping it & less risk of being bitten.

Original poster
puddle · 03/09/2006 19:00

What kind of titbit does a hamster yearn for?

OP posts:
rustybear · 03/09/2006 19:57

Like kids they're all different. I've had (I think) 9 over the years.
Most of mine loved sunflower seeds. They will probably pouch these to eat later - my brother once claimed that our hamster pouched 120 sunflower seeds in one go - not sure i believed him

SewingMadMummy · 03/09/2006 20:14

We have just got our dds a couple of gerbils - they are similar in what they like! You can get seed bars from petshops or supermarkets now. Also try some dried coconut slices and chocolate drops for small animals. They also seem to like dried corn on the cob (petshop) and actual popcorn!!

ocd · 03/09/2006 20:15

lol at oyu haveing a hamster puidd

Original poster
puddle · 03/09/2006 20:17

Why cod (assume that's you....)

Rustybear loving the use of 'pouch' as a verb

I just pouched a few jaffacakes myself

OP posts:
ocd · 03/09/2006 20:17

its a finny thread title

peachygirl · 03/09/2006 20:20

try some gloves when handling him at first

Original poster
puddle · 03/09/2006 20:29

Oh god, he's been wedged in his tunnel (on a slope, beteen the two floors of his cage) since the handling incident earlier.

I think we've already hd settling in Set Back.

OP posts:
ocd · 03/09/2006 20:30

SNORT

Original poster
puddle · 03/09/2006 20:33

It's not funny! Just another thing to feel guilty about...

Surely a whiskery thread title not a finny one.

OP posts:
rustybear · 03/09/2006 20:42

OK Puddle, when I say 'pouch' I mean 'put them into their extendable cheek pouches,before hiding them under their bedding to eat later on'
If this is what you do with jaffa cakes, I'm glad i'm not the one making your bed!

rustybear · 03/09/2006 20:45

they look like this

ocd · 03/09/2006 20:46

poor guy

New posts on this thread. Refresh page