We got a hamster in August 2009. We had one before, a gorgeous little boy who was sadly put down after having a stroke in March last year. This one is also a boy (called Hippo), and we've been having problems with him. He's so scared - we've done everything the books say, leaving them the first couple of days, speaking to them in a low voice and getting to know them gradually, giving them food, and yet he's still so afraid of us. When we reach him out, we can't pick him up because he jumps to get free, he won't sit in our hands, we have to wear gloves because he bites. When we stroke him, even if he knows we're there and we've been stroking him for a while, he'll jump and even sort of turn to try and bite at random times.

Does anyone know why this happens and how we can combat it? Thanks

Sounds as if he wasn't well handled as a youngster. Sometimes rubbing your hands on the bedding before trying to handle the hamster can help so you smell of him and he gets used to your smell in his cage where it's left on his bedding.

as tass says

however, you do just get some hamsters which behave like this unfortunately.

keep persevering though!

will he take food from your hands?

Oh good idea, we'll try that Thanks


Yes, quite gladly. He's a greedy hamster

We'll keep trying. We love animals dearly. He's a bit of a monster, he'll do anything to escape his playpen - he scales the walls and we have to put our hands over it to get him down.