A lot of people think that as soon as they come into contact with a hamster, it will automatically begin trusting them – but this isn’t the case.
I’ve had a few myself and have found that although they seem cute and friendly, a lot of time goes into earning their trust.
If you’re considering getting a hamster, you probably have a lot of questions. Do they make good pets? How do you care for them? What can they eat? But most importantly, how do you get a new hamster to trust you?
The best way to gain your hamster’s trust is to be patient and gentle with it. Taming and handling your hamster is a natural process that will take some time and patience.
It’s not uncommon for hamsters to bite, especially during the first few weeks of being handled by their owner. Your hamster needs to warm up to you.
Top 5 Proven Ways On How To Get a Hamster To Trust You
Here are a few tips that might help you in your quest to gain your hamster’s trust:
1. Get it familiar with your hand
One of the most important steps in getting a hamster to trust you is to get it familiar with your hand. By allowing it to explore your hand, and then gently picking it up, you are teaching it that you’re not going to hurt it.
The best way to do this is to place a treat in the palm of your hand, then slowly bring your hand toward the hamster. Do not reach for it or try to touch it at first, just let its curiosity draw it close enough for you to pet it with your fingertips. Repeat this step several times, until your hamster is comfortable eating from your hand.
Once you’ve done that, try gently holding the hamster in one hand and using the other hand to stroke its back or head. This will help it feel more secure and less afraid of being held by you.
2. Get it familiar with your voice
To get a hamster to trust you, first, you need to get it familiar with your voice. This is because the way you speak will be the most important thing in establishing trust with your pet.
If your hamster has never heard your voice before and suddenly hears it, it may be afraid of you at first. To do this, try talking to it while it is still in its cage, but not too close.
You want to make sure that the sound of your voice doesn’t scare it away or make it feel threatened. The best way to do this is by speaking calmly and softly.
If you notice that the hamster seems scared or uncomfortable, back off and try again later on when it seems calmer and more relaxed.
3. Hold your hamster frequently
If you’re trying to get a hamster to trust you, the best thing you can do is to hold your hamster.
This is because hamsters have a natural instinct to be scared of things that move quickly, and if they don’t know you well enough yet, they’ll be afraid of you.
They are also pretty shy creatures by nature. So holding them will help them feel safe and comfortable around you, which will make it easier for them to become friends with you over time.
Hamsters are very skittish animals, so they need to feel safe in order to bond with their owners. The best way to do this is to hold them regularly, as well as use soft, soothing tones when speaking with them.
4. Create time for your hamster
You have to make sure that you have time to spend with your hamster so that it can get used to you. The more they spend time with you, the more they will know who you are and trust you.
If possible, try not to leave them alone for long periods of time. They tend to be very lonely if they are left alone for too long, especially if it’s their first time in a new home.
5. Keep things simple for now
When it comes to bonding with your hamster, it’s important not to rush things. Give your new friend time to get used to his environment and settle in before trying too hard with bonding exercises.
It’s also important not to force the issue by picking him up or making aggressive movements toward him, this will just scare him off.
How Long Does It Take For A Hamster To Get Used To You?
It’s normal for hamsters to take 3-5 days to get used to you.
Hamsters are naturally shy, so they may be a little wary of you at first. If you’ve just brought your new hamster home, it’s important to give him or her time to adjust. The best way to do that is by following these tips:
1. Let your hamster roam around your house for a few hours each day. The longer he or she gets used to its new environment, the more comfortable he or she will feel when it comes time for you to hold them!
2. Don’t try holding your hamster right away. They might not like being held too soon; this could make them less likely to learn how awesome it feels when you hold them later on!
3. Don’t rush things, you should give your new friend at least 3-5 days before trying anything too exciting like playing with them or taking them outside with you.
Conclusion
In the end, there’s no real hard and fast rule when it comes to how you can best get a hamster to trust you. The advice above should help, but there are 100s of hamsters out there, so try and study your new pet. If it works, great. And as always, be careful around those teeth.
You both want the same thing, for the two of you to be happy and secure in each other’s company. It may take time, but with the right approach, it’s something you can accomplish together.