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Small pets

Skittish hamster

4 replies

browniebear · 13/09/2012 10:30

Im taking in a hamster from a friend at the weekend as she feels she can't look after it properly anymore, dd has been asking for some kind of pet for a while so I thought a hamster would be a good start.
Anyway I don't think it's been handled very much and is very skittish and takes every opportunity to break for freedom and jumps out of hands when held, very happy to run around in a plastic ball but id really like dd (7) to be able to hold him confidently.
How do I get it to be comfortable being held and not leap about?

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bunnywhack · 13/09/2012 14:04

leave it alone for a few days till it settles down and starts becoming more curious in this time you can get your dd to sleep with a tissue on her pillow/ up sleeve etc then give it to the hamster to use as bedding getting it used to her scent. After a few days sit your dd and the hamster in an empty bath the hamster will be able to sniff around with out being too overwhelmed will probably climb on her . The next thing to try would be using a cup or something to pick the hamster up and empty it into her hands try all this over a week or so it should help

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browniebear · 13/09/2012 14:14

Brilliant thank you great ideas

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fanoftheinvisibleman · 13/09/2012 14:19

We used to put our hamster into a large plastic storage box with toys in it when he was new. It was much easier to put your hands in and stroke him than going into his cage. He seemed much less threatened too.

We just took in slowly and let him investigate us. He is now lovely and tame and he loves company. His favourite thing is to run around someone on the sofa.