#hamster behaviour

Hey, thanks for writing!

I don’t think it’s aggression either, I am sure she’s rather exploring! Hamsters use their mouth and teeth to investigate new things, to test their structure and stuff. That’s why new hamsters often first nibble on their handlers’ hands before getting on the hand, they have to make sure the ground is safe to carry them. Your legs are interesting and she just wants to “see” what they are :)

Hey, thanks for writing!

There’s an incredible amount of possible causes which may overlap, maybe it’s none of what I think or your hamster is changing because he ages, I cannot 100% tell why he does that.

It could have been a minor detail, like maybe you used another soap than usual or put your hand quicker in his cage than normally, maybe he was dozing as you approached his cage and he was surprised and scared! If your hamster is on the older side or has diabetes he also may have trouble seeing, which makes everything approaching from above a threat. There’s just a whole range of possible reasons!

Hey, thanks for writing!

I am not entirely sure what causes it but the first thing that comes to my mind is that since she’s in a bathtub, it very well could be because of the smell! Hamsters have a great ability to smell and using different shampoos/shower gels make the bath tub smell different everytime you put her in, well at least that’s my guess. 

You could try to use a towel or one of these hemp mats so it always smells the same for her when you put her in the bathtub. Cleaning out the tub before with lots of water could help, too. I am almost sure that will help but please contact us again if her behaviour does not change. She’s obviously not happy when she feels like she needs to mark her territory that much but I don’t think it’s causing permanent damage to her, I’m sure she will be fine :)

cont.: (pt 2) hard bite. ive tried having a sunflower seed in my hand while doing it but she still bites. ive been able to get her out of the cage when I stick the hamster ball in there and she climbs into it (i don’t use the ball anymore after reading how bad it is for hamsters) but I was wondering if there was any way she will get comfortable with me having my hand in her tank?

Hey, thanks for messaging!

The best way to get to a fearful/aggressive animal is patience! How long is she with you? If she’s with you since a month or so please give her time and space! 

For hamsters everything that approaches from above means danger.That’s the main problem with tanks, that you have to reach in from above. Hamsters have really poor eyesight and especially when she didn’t live in a tank before, she’s not used to your hand being not a predators claw. She has to learn that you’re not going to kill her, until then she’ll bite or flee.

It could also help to sit by her when she’s in her play pen. Many hamsters are really nosy and like to climb all around on their handlers! It’s a completely different situation than in her cage and you could show her that your smell and presence doesn’t mean that you’re invading her space. If you try that, please make sure to have the cage and play pen connected or that she has at least enough hiding places. You wouldn’t want her to feel like she’s trapped or forced to interact with you. 

Here’s a thing that’s rather important: When your hamster bites, try not to pull your hand away. You can’t really train a hamster but once she realizes that biting means that she doesn’t have to be handled she will continue. If you keep your hand in there she’ll see that she has to deal with it and that biting leads to nothing.

And last but not least: Some hamsters just don’t care about humans, some will never loose their fear! They’re no cuddly animals, most hamsters just tolerate being handled though there are exceptions who really crave human contact.If it doesn’t get better, if she keeps attacking you though you’re trying your best, please let your wonderful little friend be the grumpy loner she wants to be :)

Hey, thanks for asking!

It’s natural and normal for your hamster to hoard and even though she has a supply, you should give more anyway!

You should replace the stock from time to time because even dry food shouldn’t lie around for too long. Don’t take it away and leave nothing, that’d stress your animal out! Not having enough food to hoard also is a huge stress factor, it’s always better to give too much and reduce the amount if there are problems rather than giving not enough :)

Hey, thanks for asking, I hope you got some sleep at last.

In theory and practical there are some dwarf breeds who could be housed together, yes. But it’s extremely important to keep an eye on them, ideally looking for wounds every day and even then hamsters are unpredictable. It’s not rare that they attack each other out of nowhere, even those that lived together for months. 

So. If there was a room that was at least idk 8 qm with bedding that’s 1 meter deep, cameras and some kind of technology that observes the hamsters 24/7 and seperated them once they start to fight.. If there was such a room I may would dare to keep a dwarf pair :) That doesn’t mean that there are many hamsters out there that are kept together in less utopian conditions but what’s possible, what’s wise and what’s an unneccesary risk is a matter of opinion.