My DD is now TERRIFIED of the hamster.

[makewaymakeway]

Long story short, my DD was in hospital for a while and was finally discharged in February.

She kept asking and asking for a hamster so we agreed and got her one. I had hamsters as a child and they were great. We thought it would be lovely for her to have a little guy to focus on while she gets better and to take her kind off things.

This hamster just doesn't like us.

None of my hamsters were like this. He's bitten my Dd and me many times now. Constantly biting the cage no matter what new toys, chews and outside time we give him.

I'm on edge with him and trying to keep him happy and not chewing at the cage.

I really don't know what to do. dd is now really scared of him and it's not helping her recovery.

Hamsters are awful.

Get a couple of rats. You need a large cage but they are the sweetest animals ever.

I came on to say get rats too, absolutely lovely pets.

How big is the cage though? A lot of cages that are sold in pet shops (pets at home are bad for this in particular) are no where near big enough. Once they start cage biting it's difficult to stop it too. I rescued my syrian from someone who got her from PAH and she was in a tiny cage that wasn't even big enough for mice. She was a much happier ham once she got a big cage and wheel but she's just one of those hamsters that is totally wired and buzzing with energy, it's very hard to keep her occupied.

This is a link to recommended hamster cages (and in my opinion the smaller ones are still probably too small for some hamsters). If you really want rid then have a look on facebook for a local rescue. Please be careful who you give it to though, there's a lot of people masquerading as rescues who just take them to use as hamster breeding farms.

www.burrowedheartsrescue.com/hamster-housing

Is it a Russian dwarf?

To add, if you still want pets I give another shout for rats. I have 3 boys and they are the sweetest pets ever. They're not awake all night like hamsters (although they can still make noise whenever of course) and you can train them to do all kinds of tricks if you chose. They will still need the largest cage you can accommodate and plenty of enrichment and stuff to hide in but overall they are much easier and have far better tempraments

I had gerbils as a child, even my least tame one only bit me once, They too are nocturnal and would spend most of the night squeaking and digging at their tank. But they were still far far friendlier and easier to handle than any hamster our family has had.

I miss having rats, but I have cats now so not a good mix!
My rats were gorgeous though, they loved to come out of the cage and explore, well except for my wee fat sausage who just wanted to sit with me, he was such a lovely boy.
The others would wander but not far, and would come back to us.

It either wasn't socialised well when it was young or it just doesn't like being handled.
If it's in a big enough cage it won't harm it to stay there for now.
I wouldn't push for her to handle it anymore but could you build it a maze, a fun hay feeder using loo rolls, a hamster house etc so you're still interacting with it but not holding it.

Get a kitten.

No more animals for a long time if ever after the hamsters gone.

Will hopefully find someone good today.

And the cage is regulation size and Its had everything purchased for it, hay feeders, different chew toys, maze etc.

He just isn't keen. Always just ignores them or bites.

To the pp who asked if guinea pigs bite.. yes they bloody do! I've still got a scar on one finger from my school friend's pig!

I had mice as pets as a child, they were all lovely and sociable. I had a hamster in 6th form and she was horrid, did not want to be handled/socialised at all.

I've had rats also, truly lovely pets but they STINK even with daily cleaning.

I had a right little twat of a hamster when I was a child. Really bitey.

Yes, try and rehome him. Are you near any of the wood green shelters?

Saga I had 12 rats and they didn't smell.

Did you have plastic or wooden shelving?

What do yu mean by regulation size. Because some hamsters do need a lot of space and it sounds like he is unhappy in his cage. Have you thought of a bin cage that sometimes helps

There are some really good facebook groups that should help

@Quartz2208 i mean it's over the recommended size that the rspca put on their website.

My daughter is petrified of him so I think the best thing to do is rehome.

I am wondering if you are expecting a lot of a hamster who has only been with you for a few weeks, especially if he was not handled much previously. We bought a hamster in March and I have yet to successfully hold it, but we are very gradually building a relationship and we are really enjoying feeding her and looking after her. Each day we talk to her and put our hands in for her to sniff etc. She only bites when she mistakes our hands for food though I am sure she would bite if we swooped in and grabbed her. Am also building up my DCs confidence with her.
Our cage is 80 by 50 and that feels on the small side- will upgrade when we can.

Erm, open the back door

I had a Russian dwarf hamster. I loved him but could only handle him with thick leather gloves. He also used to escape his cage.

Eventually my grandad made him a massive run (taking up half the living room) and I played with him by building him adventure playgrounds. He seemed much happier and we still watched him and talked to him.

My friend had one who never bit.

In the meantime it also might be worth joining some hamster care groups on facebook if you use it. People can be a bit over enthusiastic but there's lots of helpful information available

I’m still scared of hamsters and I’m 40. Too many traumatic bites as a child. Even through the leather gloves I used to wear to handle it. Sorry, completely unhelpful!

We had two. They were lovely. My dh spent a lot of time when we first got them socialising them. No biting ever. Have fond memories taking the hamsters to fridge for snacks! Dh used an empty pen tube to get the use to touch. My advice is from the day you get them just keep handling them. They generally are nocturnal so perhaps not an ideal pet for a younger child. Lots 9f ppl have mentioned Guinea pigs which are very sweet but you do need out door space for them. I find my cat easier to look after then any animal in a cage or tank.

I don't know why but this thread has me crying with laughter

@Smallinthesmoke it's been 12 weeks so not a few weeks...

He's found a home with a lady who's got lots of rabbits and runs outside for smaller pets.

I'm happy he'll have a lot more fun and get more attention from her.