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Original poster

bloody hell

62 replies

itati · 07/07/2008 17:46

posting 1 hand so apologies

the hamster has just bit/scratched my son and drawn blood in 2 places. he was stood near his cage but wasn't doing anything. ds is only 3 and really cried. the hamster bit me last week and hs bit me before. I really don't know what to do for the best short of liberating him in the garden

OP posts:

Blu · 07/07/2008 19:05

eh?

I don't think he was provoking him....just inadvertently near enough to get nipped. So will presumably stay completely out of range in future.

Original poster

itati · 07/07/2008 19:07

Sorry for misunderstanding your post, Blu. I have had a very difficult day.

I am now well aware that this is something else I have got wrong and the hamster is out of reach of all of us.

OP posts:

Blu · 07/07/2008 19:10

s'alright - and hey - hundreds of Mn-ers DCs have been bitten, scrathed and snapped at by their pets (I've seen the posts!)..it's not your fault, there's no harm done...not beyond what a w-t-pplaster can put right, so don't beat yourslf up.

Hope the ungrateful little beast doesn't bite the hand that feeds him when you give him his supper!

Mutt · 07/07/2008 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mutt · 07/07/2008 19:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

peanutbutterkid · 07/07/2008 19:15

DH & I swap lots of stories about how often and how badly we were bitten by our hamsters when we were kids -- we weren't scarred for life, or anything! And that's leaving aside the times we bred them and they ate their babies (ahem).

We have a very funny story about when DD got bitten by friend's hamster as a 2yo (she's now 6yo & desperate for her own hammie, nonetheless).

Original poster

itati · 07/07/2008 19:22

I love him but how can I keep a hamster that I can't get near without being bitten? My other 2 don't bite.

OP posts:

Blu · 07/07/2008 19:23

You ok itati?

Blu · 07/07/2008 19:24

Sorry - x-posted.
What's that haster-scoop somone mentioned?

We have rabbits and I can't handle them - when I have to grapple them into a box to take to vets there is much struggling and i end up v scratched. So we just admire them from a safe distance.

Original poster

itati · 07/07/2008 19:25

Not really but I have taken up too much space on here already.

Just let the cat in as she is scared of the thunder.

OP posts:

peanutbutterkid · 07/07/2008 19:37

You could take her to vet & have her humanely put down, itati.
Your other options are:
Gardening gloves
Tube or similar that she'll enter, to transfer her to a holding cage when hers needs cleaning out.
Rodent rescue (someone might want her).
Lots of handling to tame her yourself (probably least viable option).

You don't have to decide anything right now, though.

Mutt · 07/07/2008 19:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GordontheGopher · 07/07/2008 19:45

I'm shocked at the number of people suggesting getting rid of the hamster! Hamsters bite if they think your finger is food or if they are scared. NOT good enough reason to get rid of it.

It's a flippin hamster bite.

LynetteScavo · 07/07/2008 19:45

All creatures have thier own personalities.

My hamsters were very sweet and never bit.

I would sell in the paper, along with cage.

nervousal · 07/07/2008 19:45

ehmmmm how can you have a hamster which you can't handle because it bites?? Easy - don't handle the poor wee thing.

Hamsters are such bad pets for wee ones - I used to have them, but got when my last one died when I was pregnant I didn't replace it. Hamster bites are SORE!!!

What age is your hamster? (Am assuning its a dwarf if you've got more than one? Or do you keep them separate?)

LynetteScavo · 07/07/2008 19:46

Do you have older children, as I think 3 is a bit you for a hamster.

Maybe the hamster is getting revenge from being squeezed to tightly.

Original poster

itati · 07/07/2008 20:05

I can't really be bothered to repeat myself tbh. All the questions have been answered already.

OP posts:

Mutt · 07/07/2008 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

itati · 07/07/2008 20:10

I know it is not the end of the world but it isn't nice when your three year old is cring and he has skin hanging off his finger and blood everywhere. If he had put his finger in the cage I would have told him that is why he has been told not too.

OP posts:

Original poster

itati · 07/07/2008 20:10

crying

OP posts:

Mutt · 07/07/2008 20:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

itati · 07/07/2008 20:24

No sharp bits.

The hamster always squeaks when he bites and he did so.

I know I have probably over reacted but I am just so sad at the moment and it is just one more thing.

OP posts:

LittleB · 08/07/2008 09:16

Is he a small/russian type dwarf hamster, I know they can be very bitey? If he's a standard hamster I had several of those as an older child and teenager including one that was a bit aggressive when we first got him, with time and gentle handling they became very friendly, although a couple of them were prone to being grumpy when they were sleepy - bit like me. Scoop him up with a jam jar or tube and let him walk about on you exploring, if you do this often enough for short periods he should soon get used to you. Or ask around for a new home for him.

ChopsTheDuck · 08/07/2008 09:22

iati you sound very stressed, and you probably don't need this to deal with. Call the rspca or the pet shop where you bought it and see if you can find another home for it.

I think really, it sounds like you don't need the hassle of pets atm, because there is def more going on than a hamster bite that is stressing you out.

Original poster

itati · 08/07/2008 09:39

He is a Syrian and we have 2 roboroskis two.

He has been nervous and squeaky from the day we brought him home and we didn't handle him for a couple of days so he could settle in. We got him last August and we have never been able to hold him. We were going to ring the pet shop for advice but tbh didn't know what to say. I am sure I am being OTT but when it is your child who is bitten it hurts more than when you are bitten.

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