How to Make a Wild Hamster Into a Domestic Hamster

Hamsters have been kept as pets for a relatively short time. A wild litter was first taken into captivity by Israel Aharoni in Syria in 1930 for medical research purposes. This was an ill-fated litter; some were cannibalized by the mother and others escaped. Nevertheless, enough survived and bred to be exported, and so began the taming and domestication of the hamster. While your hamster from the pet store won't be wild as that first bunch, you will have some work to do to tame your own new pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats such as dried fruit and unsalted nuts.
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Instructions

    • 1

      Treat your hamster with kindness and be patient. Hamsters are quite timid creatures, though they can be tamed. Leave it in a calm place in its cage for two days when you first bring it home, making sure it has plenty water and food. Let the hamster settle before you begin taming it in a gradual way.

    • 2

      Wash your hands before going to the hamster's cage. The hamster has poor eyesight, but a good sense of smell. If you have been handling food, this might confuse the hamster, and it may bite. Hold out a treat, such as an unsalted nut or a piece of dried fruit through the bars of the cage. The hamster is likely to take the food and quickly scurry away. Repeat this several times, talking softly to the hamster.

    • 3

      Hold the food treats in the palm of your hand and open the cage. Wait for the hamster to take the food from your palm. Only do this when it happily takes food through the cage bars. When the hamster is confident enough to take food from your palm, begin to gently stroke it.

    • 4

      Hold the hamster carefully, using your index finger and thumb, supporting it with your palm. Hold the hamster over your lap while sitting on the floor, so it will not hurt itself if it jumps. Do this for five minutes at a time initially. Gradually, your hamster will feel more comfortable when you are holding it.