Is it possible to train hamsters

If you have a wire cage, start by offering treats through the bars of the cage. Otherwise, just offer them right at the edge of the cage door. Once your hamster scurries over for the treats, try putting your hand just inside the cage.

Don't try to touch your hamster but rather let your hamster come over to explore your hand. Place the treat on your open hand inside the cage so that your hamster has to take the treat off of your hand and perhaps place a paw or two onto your hand to get the treat. Again, don't force this, but let your hamster come to you. Next, try placing the treat on your hand so that your hamster has to climb on your hand to get it.

Once your hamster is bravely doing this and only then , try to gently and slowly scoop it up. The first few times your hamster will likely jump right out of your hand, but just be gentle and persistent and eventually, your hamster will realize your hands are safe.

The time between steps varies, especially depending on the age of the hamster and your hamster's personality. Your hamster may quickly accept being picked up or take treats from your hand right away, or it may take a month or more to be relaxed enough to do so. The best way to pick up a hamster is cupped in the palm of your hand with the other hand over its back. It is best to begin picking your hamster up just above your lap or some other soft surface in case it falls or jumps.

As your hamster gets more comfortable, let it crawl from one of your hands to the other and over your arms. You can continue to offer treats, though your hamster may not be as interested in treats when there are new things to see and explore. There may be a time you need to pick up a hamster that hasn't been tamed yet, such as to clean its cage.

To do this, place a cup or cardboard tube with paper stuffed in one end to close it off on its side in front of the hamster and gently herd it into the cup or tube. The most important thing is that your hamster feels comfortable around you, and that your smell and your voice has a positive association. Try to always stay calm around your hamster, and avoid raising your voice, as that can cause unnecessary stress.

Spend a good few weeks together with your hamster before you move on to tricks, so you know that you can trust each other! Now you need treats. They are however very fatty, so make sure that you limit the intake to training sessions or special occasions.

You can also try with small pieces of chopped vegetables like carrots or broccoli. If both you and your hamster enjoy the training, there is really no limit as to how much you can teach your pet. You can use toys or build obstacle courses; make up the tricks as you go along and show off to friends and family! Watch your hamster for a day or two to see which corner of the cage it's toileting in. Put a little soiled bedding into the litter box along with a few hamster droppings and set the litter box in your hamster's preferred corner.

Your hamster should start using the litter box without any problem. Don't force it to go straight to the litter box or it may not want to use it.

Troubleshoot any problems. If your hamster isn't using the litter box, determine why. If it's sleeping in the litter box, it probably needs a separate sleeping space. If your hamster is eating or hiding food in the litter box, the cage might be too small for it. If it's simply not using or going into the litter box, the litter box might be too hard for your hamster to get into or it might dislike the litter. Try a larger box or different litter. Part 4. Get your hamster used to your scent.

Hamsters might bite if you smell like food or another hamster. Wash your hands and set your hamster out on a bed or a couch. Let it roam around and block its path with the backs of your hands every once in a while. Your hamster should sniff you and then move on.

Try to do this for 5 to 15 several days in a row. Eventually, your hamster will become comfortable with your scent and will realize that you're not trying to grab it with your hands. Never stroke or try to hold your hamster when it is eating, washing itself, or sleeping. Interrupting your hamster can cause it to bite. Respond to your hamster's bites. If your hamster does try to bite you, very gently blow towards its face to distract it from biting. Be patient with your hamster and give it space before you try to interact with it again.

Avoid yelling at, hitting, or punishing your hamster. Hamsters don't understand punishment, so you'll only damage your relationship with your hamster and encourage it to be aggressive. If your hamster is usually angry and bites, let it play or do something it enjoys before you try to interact with it. Redirect your hamster's chewing. Hamsters often chew or gnaw on things to grind down their teeth. If your hamster is chewing something it's not supposed to, firmly say "No," or "Stop.

Offer different types of chewing objects, so it can choose one that it likes. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If you have other pets, keep them out of the room when you're training your hamster. Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0. Make sure no one else is in the room or touching the hamster while you're training it.

Otherwise, it will pick up the other person's scent. Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0. Related wikiHows How to. How to. More References 2. About This Article. Eventually your pet will get excited at the prospect of playtime and you can start holding them for longer.

Much like humans, hamsters all have different personalities, so some hamsters will quite happily curl up and watch TV while being held on your lap, while others will want to go and explore after a few minutes. Always make sure that the area is safe for your hamster to run around and explore before you take it out of the cage. There should be no dangerous obstacles or escape routes, and no other pets in the room.

Some learn a lot faster than others. Bringing your pet into your home at the optimum age of weeks will make things easier, but you may still have to work hard to train them. It should mean that you have a hamster that is friendly and tame, rather than one that launches itself to bite you if you put your hand in its cage!

Have we missed anything? What did you do to train your hamster?