How Do I Get My Hamster to Come Back to His Cage?

Hamsters are not as trainable as dogs or cats, but they can be conditioned to respond in a somewhat predictable manner. They can be taught to perform minor tasks; such as ringing a bell, standing on its hind legs to receive a treat or running through a maze. By teaching your hamster to come to you as a conditioned response, when you find your pet has escaped from its cage, the chances of it returning are much higher.

Things You'll Need

  • Hamster treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Handle your hamster every day. The bond you build with your hamster when it is young will provide the foundation for successful conditioning. Never make loud noises, frighten or startle your hamster to elicit a physical response, such as rolling over on its back or jumping. This will cause your hamster to be frightened of you.

    • 2

      Determine your hamster's favorite treat. Sunflower seeds, bits of cereal and Yogies hamster treats make good training rewards. Keep the size of the rewards very small; you don't want to provide a whole meal in one reward. Your training sessions will last longer, if your hamster doesn't fill up with treats within its first couple of attempts.

    • 3

      Offer a treat from a few inches away and say your hamster's name. When it comes to its name, reward it with the treat and plenty of praise. Gradually increase the distance between the hamster and the treat. You are conditioning your hamster to come to its name.

    • 4

      Practice often at various distances. Although hamsters are intelligent by rodent standards, conditioned responses must be practiced to maintain a desired behavior. Keep training sessions short, between three and five minutes, several times per week.