Had our hamster 2 weeks now......

[KnickersOnMaHead]

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The more you handle them, the more they get used to it. I have had my hamsters 1 year now and they don't mind being held for short periods. Just remember to kind of 'scoop' them up or get it to come onto your hand rather than grabbing or squeezing.

DP sugggests trying at first when it is sleepy!

My hamsters are school pets and they have only ever bitten the children twice! Both times was because they had been overhandled and cuddled and felt stressed!!!

Just go for a few minutes and be gentle...you will be fine!

PS. It doesn't really hurt if they do bite....a bit like a pin prick!

Yes, it does hurt if they bite and I would say you need to hold them now. We left ours too long and can't really hold any of them now.

Scoop from underneath, rather than coming down from above. Keep the first cuddle short.

If you don't handle them then they will become biters. You have to start holding them.

It does hurt IME and I would personally expect to be bitten, but you have to perserve! Just ignore the blood and keep getting them out.

Agree with NAB to keep it short to start with.

It's well worth it though, hamsters are great little pets for children.

(Be warned - You will become the only one who cleans them out!)

I really wouldn't suggest handling them when they are sleepy - that's when they are more likely to bite - and it can hurt like hell.

We always used a handling tube with ours at first - half a jaffa cake tube is ideal (& has the added advantage that you have an excuse to eat the jaffa cakes)
Put it in the cage & the hamster will run in - they like dark places. Lift it out gently & sit down with the tube on your lap.
This way the hamster can come out in his own time - you can tempt him with a treat if he's shy - and gets used to your smell.

Brilliant idea RustyBear.

The more you handle the gentler they are. Make sure you wash your hands first as they cant see too well and if youve been eating they might think your offering food and you will get bitten.

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