Start by washing your hands. At this point, your hamster is not afraid of you and shouldn't bite, but keep interacting with it regularly so it stays trained! Although it may seem they are biting you for no reason, it is likely that they feel threatened, are hungry or trying to hide an insecurity or illness from … On the other hand, hamsters that have not been handled much are usually not very tame, and they often bite if you try to pick them up. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. I have already tried giving her gnawing sticks, but she always goes back to the bars. mentally stimulating as to maybe she's just bored and wants attention?) If you've been bitten by your pet, don't take it personally. "I have had my Syrian hamster for a week, and he has just bitten me! A sudden movement, approach from the wrong direction, or an unexpected wake-up can easily scare our hamster. It sounds like she is ether sharpening her teeth or is trimming them. Pet Your Hamster. Hamsters bite when annoyed or scared, and they’re very easy to scare. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Hamsters bite to communicate with their owners that they are uncomfortable with the situation that they are in. Some of … Then a reflex bite is not uncommon. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Besides, you can do so to a shy hamster. If it’s not an acute behavior change, she’s probably enjoying the noise and the exercise. This only reinforces the reasons why they are afraid of you. I am a little disappointed, but having read your articles I realize I am rushing things a bit, so I did find your article very useful. what should i do?! For the first day or two, your hamster will probably just run away. Bites will still happen occasionally even after the training is complete. T. January 11, 2021 at 6:14 pm . She's probably wearing her teeth down but doesn't like the taste of apple. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://animals.mom.me/expect-new-hamster-1040.html, http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/hamsters/behaviour, http://animals.mom.me/ways-socialize-hamster-1092.html, http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-experts/hamster/how-to-stop-a-hamster-from-biting-1406.aspx, http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/hamsters/tips/hamster_feeding.html. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. ", now I know why my hamster is always acting as if I am going to attack it. So why do hamsters bite their cages, and what can you do to stop them? I got him only a week ago, but using these steps, he was used to me very quickly! Hamsters don't bite for fun, and they don't do it out of malice. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The fact that she's biting means that she's either not being held enough to get familiar with you or you're provoking her. There will also be more noticeable squeaking. This little one is only nine weeks and I thought having a very young one would be better than an older one. So, why is your hamster biting you all of a sudden? Also stick to a regular schedule. Hamsters may seem to be biting themselves but they are actually scratching. Don't try to pick him up when he takes the treat. As for the biting, taming is a slow and tedious process, and I'd be patient with trying to hold her. Try something other than what she has...also are you giving her the attention she needs...cause when you don't play with them everyday they will start biting....good luck... You can also try some veggies like carrots,cabbage, or fruit:apples,pears,and more just use hard fruit that are none acidic and veggies. Try to be slow and gentle so it will not bite you. Is it normal for a hamster to bite their cage? Why is my hamster biting? Keep your hands open so it can hop off without struggle. Your hamster doesn’t trust you yet. There are several things you must keep in mind when handling your hamster to avoid painful bites. re-frame from taking it out of it cage till this "chewing phase is over" only pet/play with her in the cage to bond and trust u more. What should I do? its apple something.. she doesnt like it i dont think? When first handling your hamster, try to lift it only a few inches from its bedding. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Its natural reaction to fear is to bite. He's still getting used to you and touching him will still probably startle him. Why Do Hamsters Bite Themselves? Chewing things is a sign of boredom (sometimes hunger, but only if you aren't feeding her enough), try holding her more. For the most part, your hamster will entertain themselves. Boredom – This is the most common reason why a rodent would rather nibble the cage enclosure. Or add more chew toys to the cage (is the cage big enough? She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Reply. You are startling your hamster. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. And maybe shes teething. Bar rub can be caused by a number of factors . By using our site, you agree to our. They bite when they’re scared, stressed, or a bit confused. http://www.petsmart.com/family/index.jsp?categoryI... Mi hámster se comió una parte chiquita de una escalerita de plástico que tenía. Why does my hamster chew the cage bars? For tips on how to avoid bites after you've trained your hamster, read on! References That’s why it’s critically important to always wash your hands with scent-free soap before handling a hamster. It happens when an animal get flea dermatitis. Missing submarine is found, broken into at least 3 parts, UFC 261 fight ends instantly with horrific injury, LSU to ban ex-star, scrub him from record books, L.A. police fatally shoot man wearing body armor, History nerd discovers rare Barbie dolls in attic, Woman donated billions, then the scammers appeared, Fans hardly noticed country star's big catch, Playboy model wore her own lingerie for historic shoot, Poll on Biden's performance after 100 days, 'He will rest in peace': Stars honor DMX in Brooklyn. Why is my Hamster Biting? Still have questions? To train a hamster not to bite, speak to it softly, then insert your hand into the cage for it to sniff. Once your hamster is accepting treats comfortably, you can gently pet it. It often lets us know this with a bite. If your hamster bites, there is no reason you can't train him out of that habit. For some reason my hamster has been biting everything, not just my fingers and food but also the cage. The reality is that there are many different reasons why hamsters chew cages, including everything from boredom and stress to dental maintenance and full-blown escape attempts. Why is my cat biting its legs? Another bad side effect of bar biting is the tendency that your hamster will swallow the paint from these metal bars which can be very toxic. Typically it subsides within six months. How to stop a hamster biting you. The reasons why a hamster might bite you are: 1) If your hamster was not handled at the pet store or breeder, it will be frightened when you try to handle it. Never disturb your hamster while it’s sleeping; if you do it will be grumpy and scared, and it’s likely to bite. In addition to this, the metal bars might be containing elements that are a little too much for your hamster to handle so they make them sick. Unlike cats and dogs, hamsters are not tame from the get go, and can take a few weeks to a few months to become fully tamed and accustomed to you. We put in some wooden sticks that she could chew but all she did was sit on them. By no means use any aggression with your hamster. Slowly insert your hand into the cage and leave it there. The fact that she's biting means that she's either not being held enough to get familiar with you or you're provoking her. Never Overreact to A Bite. Even if you and your hamster are used to each other, there are still certain situations which should be avoided if you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a hamster bite! They don't have the best eyesight and may mistake your hands as some treats and bite you. I would try to buy a big pack of chew sticks. Support wikiHow by Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. I've had my hamster almost 2 months, and he's 4 months old now, and he's lovely when he's out, but some times I still get that occasional nip at my fingers, I never know what it is, I just see it as it's their way of exploring things some times, I don't think you will ever be able to stop them. I gave my hamster strawberry drops and now he thinks I'm a treat and bites me. Earning his trust is a gradual and slow process. Stopping Enjoyment Chewing Try a different cage. If our pet is busy, washing, eating, collecting food, or simply arranging his place of residence, it doesn’t like to be disturbed. Maybe you should bring your hamster out more often, she probably is trying to defend herself. Biting can become much more serious and can lead to serious injuries. she bites me, my boyfriend sometimes but not all the time rarely.. and she is biting anything she can get ahold of at night... she bites the cage bars,house, bed sheets.. everything but her chew log! For tips on how to avoid bites after you've trained your hamster, read on! This will prevent you from spreading germs from your hamster, and also ensure that there are no other scents on your hand besides your own. If you don't take your hamster out a lot they'll stop trusting you and eventually start acting mean and tough to protect themselves. Make sure that your hands don't smell like fruit before handling your hamster. Just make sure she has a VARIETY of safe things to chew on. ", answer. I had tried many other sites, but their info never really worked. That’s the most common reason, but a list of possible reasons could be: Your hamster is scared /irritated – hamsters get defensive real fast, and that often means biting or scratching The hamster could be hungry or you could be smelling of food Try getting her used to … What happened to the hamster in Dr quinn medicine woman. Eventually a hamster will give up and flee from the fight. Generally, there are many reasons why hamsters knaw on their breathing bars but the main reasons are: 1. Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. Biting on metal bars can also break your hamster teeth which is something you don’t to avoid at all cost. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Approved. I know that this is to wear her teeth down but it's so annoying. If your hamster continues to chew the bars of … Try getting her used to your scent and hold her as much as you can. While hamsters may bite over long periods or only intermittently, the most common reasons why a hamster bites its cage are due to: Stress Anxiety Depression Boredom The key to minimizing the chances of hamster biting is patience. They won't chase their legs like a cat chases their tail, but stress and boredom can still lead to overgrooming. If your hamster tolerates this, you can move on to the next step of picking it. Get some different flavor chew logs. Keep your hamster from biting by gaining his trust. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. unlocking this expert answer. When you're dealing with these hamsters, the most important thing to remember is that they're biting Her teeth are probably a bit long. How long have you had her and how long has she started biting? ¿Le puede pasar algo grave? So until they’re tamed, they are going to be quite scared. "I got them 2 days ago and they are already letting me hold them, thanks!". Never try and pick up your hamster if its still sleeping. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. It is important to not chase after him, as this will frighten him more. Russian dwarf hamsters love chewing and will make large amounts of this in the wild. 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