How to Hand Feed a Dwarf Hamster

Hamsters are independent creatures, and dwarfs are even less tame than typical Syrian "teddy bear" hamsters. With a little attention and patience, however, you can have your dwarf hamster literally eating out of your hand. Taming a dwarf hamster is a very fun and rewarding experience as long as you don't get bitten! Once your dwarf hamster gets used to your touch, you can take it out of its cage and let it run around in a bigger enclosed area.

Things You'll Need

  • Unsalted nuts
  • Dried fruit
  • Toilet paper roll tube
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Pick up your dwarf hamster by placing a cardboard toilet paper tube near its face. He will climb inside and you can then lift it up and dump him into your palm. Handle your dwarf hamster frequently and pet it often so that it will get used to your touch and smell. Hamsters can actually learn to recognize people.

    • 2

      Feed your hamster at the same time and same location every day, and he will begin to anticipate your arrival and associate your hands with food.

    • 3

      Lay your hand down, palm up, in his cage and place a treat in the middle of your palm. Dwarf hamsters like unsalted nuts and dried fruit. He will crawl into your hand after a few minutes. Do not move your hand or you may scare him. Repeat this procedure every day for a week.

    • 4

      Begin to pick him up while he's eating food in your palm after a week. Always feed him while you are petting him or holding him so that he associates your hands with food.

    • 5

      Pick up your hamster every single day and offer it a nut or berry from your fingers, or else it may turn back into a wild creature and become afraid of you again.