Do I hear you laughing?

EGAR

I appear to be in possession of a long-haired black hamster... Someone saw it fit to dump him/her on me while I was out to leave a dog at vets for neuter. He is sitting in a brand-spanking new plastic cage with a wheel, tube etc I have no idea if he/she bites since it appears to be sleeping 24/7 and I haven't worked up the courage yet to handle it since I got bitten quite badly by one when I was younger (yeah, I can hear the chuckles now, Bull Breed lady is afraid to handle a hammy... ). I know how to care for them, what to feed them etc but any ideas on handling?

Lauragoesmad

Try the aul sunflower seed trick. Try and feed him/her a few seeds a few times a day for a day or two. Then when the hamster knows you are not a threat, just pick it up gently. Just think of it as a very fluffy tiny staffie and I'm sure you'l be fine!!;)

And yes, it is kind of funny!:D

Wolfsberg

Slowly cup your hands together around the hammy and allow it to climb in. I find they don't like being picked up from overhead using your fingers. Good luck!!!

monty_python

i wouldnt "cup" my hands around the hamster because that might scare it.
isstead try the the hand feeding it sunflower seeds and other tit bits for a week or so until you see he is no longer nervous of you then lay you hand flat in his cage with food on your hand and allow him to walk onto your hand, dont lift your hand the first few time as that might scare him.

go luck, i hate hamsters personally, gerbils are much better pets

Wolfsberg

i was speaking more in terms of having to pick the hamster up now for a particular reason such as moving it or checking for disease like wet tail. The sunflower seed way is the best way in the long term but it is no good to you today or tomorrow.

Morganna

Wow Sarah rather you than me i too can remember being bitten by hammie when i was young.Good luck with him.

Interceptor

Theres nothing to be afraid of really - remind yourself that hamsters only bite when threatened or hungry. Wash all traces of other animal scents off your hands and place your closed fist slowly in the cage for it to smell. Open your hand gently and see if it will climb onto or over your fingers.

If a hamster hasn't been handled much it will take a while for it to get used to you, but unless you see aggressive behaviour immediately I wouldn't worry. How much do you really want to handle it anyway? Apart from getting it out to allow cage cleaning there shouldn't be any need - I usually scoop them out while they are asleep in bed and they don't even notice.

Congrats on the new arrival - they make nice pets since they don't smell too bad and you can socialise them.

'cptr

EGAR

He took some cracker off me earlier, he is not interested in sunflower seeds. I also managed to get some decent pics of him: