How to Hand Tame a Hamster

Give your hamster some time to adjust to you. Hamsters recognize their owners after seeing them a few times and they adapt quickly to new surroundings. For the first week, offer hamster treats by placing them in his food dish. As your hamster begins to realize that you are the “food giver,” he will look forward to your visits.

Offer special treats by hand when your hamster shows signs of accepting your presence. This is easy to determine because he will come out to greet you instead of hiding or burrowing. Hamsters are fond of most raw unsalted nuts and dried fruits. If your hand frightens your hamster, begin by reaching in slowly, offering him the treat and then laying it as close as possible to him. Each time, place it a little closer and soon your hamster will happily take the treat from your hand.

Pick up your hamster gently by making a circle of your fingers and thumb and grabbing him so your palm is on his back and your fingers and thumb extend around his sides and under his belly. At first, you may want to wear thin leather gloves if your hamster shows signs of trying to bite but soon he will run over to your hand in hopes of a little companionship.

Hold the hamster over your lap while sitting. This is a good method for small children to keep the hamster from falling to the floor. Teach children to make slow movements when holding a hamster. If a child is frightened, they should not hold the hamster. Instead, you hold it and allow them to become accustomed to it by extending a little food treat or carefully petting its fur.

Tame your hamster by allowing him out of his cage regularly. A hamster not handled often may revert to a semi-wild state.

Use repetition when taming your hamster. Hamsters are highly intelligent and researchers train them to run intricate mazes and perform tasks for a food reward. You can do the same thing. By giving your hamster a treat when it performs a simple task, such as running on its wheel, you encourage more of the same behavior.