Hamster Behaviors & Taming
*this page is a work in progress, please be patient as I continue to update it :)
The taming process can be different for every hamster as some hamsters are naturally very calm and outgoing, while others are quite nervous and may bite.
However, I have found a few things that generally seem to work well for every hamster:
Focus on the idea of bonding with your hamster rather than “taming”
I first heard this idea from HammyTime and it really resonated with me. Hamsters are kind of like cats and not very apt to do what you want them to do. You’ll have more success if you view “taming” time as “bonding” time, and focus on getting to know your hamster for who they are. Figure out what excites them. Spend time watching and listening and letting them open up to you.
Hamsters might be small but they have big personalities!
Out of cage time is essential for bonding:
I have two Roborovski hamsters who are quire nervous, high energy little things. I initially thought they didn’t like being out of their cage as they would get very frantic whenever I would attempt to do playtime with them, but the truth is, I was doing it all wrong.
Start small. Use a small bin and put a lot of hides (old tissue boxes, tubes, etc). Hamsters don’t like wide open spaces, particularly in an area they don’t know. Make sure the lights are dim. Put food they like in the playbin for them to find. Let your hamster crawl into a cup and then set that cup down into the play bin. The first time around might not seem successful. They might not eat and will probably look nervous. Just let them explore for a minute or two and then bring them home, don’t let it go on long, you want the experience to be positive.
Give them a treat reward when they return home. Repeat this ritual with the same playpen layout until they start to look comfortable and start eating and grooming in their playbin (these are signs your hamster is relaxed). Then you can either start re-arranging items in their play bin or upgrade to a larger space like a nylon, pop-up playpen (like this one, from Amazon).
In the long run, out of cage time engages your hamster, they gain confidence and enrichment from exploring new areas and playpen set ups. You know how if you’ve never ridden a roller coaster, they seem scary, but then once you ride one, they all seem less scary? It’s the same for hamsters. Coaxing them out of being nervous about being in their playpen also helps them be more confident and engaged with you. Having the experience of a playpen also gives them enrichment which makes them happier! Happy hams are also more confident and affectionate hams. Some hamsters will even start to give you “hamster kisses” and will lick your hands! It is funny and sweet and the best when it happens.
Hamsters are builders and problem solvers and many will be quite entertained by having a problem to solve. I like to hide seeds around the playpen for my hamsters to find. I try to create new layouts of a maze of hides for them to find their way through. Some of my hamsters get particularly excited about this and will beg to go out for playtime and zoom around finding all the seeds. Not all hamsters are quite so food motivated, so it’s helpful to know what your hamster likes the most.
A happy hamster is more likely to bond with you
Investing in a large cage with lots of hides and enrichment (aka- 10"-12” of burrowing room, seed sprays, boredom breakers etc) is not just an investment in your hamster, it’s an investment in your relationship with your hamster. Happy, de-stressed hamsters are hamsters who are more likely to be confident, calm and affectionate.
If your hamster has a lot of stress-related behaviors (like aggression, screaming, bar biting, pacing), not only would I invest in a larger enclosure with more hides and safe spaces for them to be, I would also make sure they are in a quiet part of your home away from other animals. Hamsters have very high-pitched hearing and will be quite reactive to sounds that we might not even be aware of. They can also sense the presence of a predator like a dog or cat- for this reason I do not suggest having both hamsters and predator animals like dogs and cats, but if you do, make sure your hamster lives in a room that is off limits to those pets.
Would you want to live in a house where a grizzly bear roamed freely and looked at you a lot? No matter how sweet your dog or cat is, they are still predators to a hamster and having your hamster interact with them is never a good idea and there are countless stories (from even the most careful pet owners) of tragedy.
Bedrooms are a great place for your hamster as they are generally quiet during the day and you can close the door for them when you leave in the morning. Just make sure you invest in a good silent wheel :)
Gaining your hamster’s trust may take a while, don’t give up!
Every hamster is different, but just like people, they may take a while to fully open up to you. With my rescue Roborovski hamster, Sofia, I found it took about two months before she started even coming out of her hides while I was present in the room. She then developed some cage aggression that took another few months to work with her to improve her fear-based reaction and gain her trust.
I have found that my hamsters’s behavior can change fairly dramatically with a cage clean or re-arrange. This is why it’s recommended that you never do a full cage clean at once unless there is a medical reason to do so. Instead, just clean parts of the cage to minimize their stress.
It took me seven months to be able to pet my Roborovski hamster, Steven (from PetCo). He now sometimes loves a good massage, and sometimes he wants nothing to do with me. Many hamster owners say similar things- hamsters are similar to cats in personality, they can be hot or cold, but are generally quite opinionated about what affection they receive and when.
It has taken about seven months of work with my aggressive dwarf hamster, Laverne, to get to the point where she no longer bites and latches on. She might still nibble but the aggressive style of biting has now, at last, finally subsided. You can learn more about that here.
Hamsters are prey animals and are unlikely to take the first step in getting to know you. You will need to take small, incremental steps to gain their trust and establish that bond. Some hamsters might hide more, but it is my opinion (and many breeders say the same thing), that while you want to respect your hamster’s space and sleeping time, when the sun goes down it is okay to call to your hamster and encourage them to come out. You may need to give them some encouragement to take the risk to get to know you, for many hamsters this reward is delicious treats! But for other hamsters this might be an opportunity to explore a new space or get snuggled.
Long story short- remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is to develop a relationship with your hamster. Like any relationship, these things take time and consistent effort. BUT! If you are willing to put in the time and effort & listen and learn, the results are so rewarding!
Helpful Taming & Bonding Supplies
I have found a few things to be greatly helpful in establishing trust and bonding with my hamsters.
Glass Mug with Handle
Leather Gloves
Woven Cotton Baskets
Playpens & Play bins
Hides & Toys for the Playpens
Delicious Treats
Taming Progressions:
Interview with the Hampire put together a great Instagram Story collection about how she worked with her Syrian hamster, Lestat.
Working with Aggressive Hamsters
I get lots of questions about how to work with aggressive hamsters, as aggression in dwarves can be common.
I would give all the same advice as above. your dwarf hamster is aggressive most likely because it hasn’t always had the easiest life. The more you get to know them and understand their needs, the more relaxed and happy they will become!
My aggressive dwarf, Laverne, came from a backyard breeder / hoarding situation then went to a shelter and finally came to me. What a stressful life!
Make sure your aggressive hamster has everything they need- sometimes they need more space - they do better in large bin or tank style enclosures (no bars for biting). They may need a large wheel to get out that anxious energy, lots or boredom breakers, foraging opportunities, etc! I have also found that aggressive hamsters are my most energetic hamsters, so it’s a great opportunity to try out some new boredom breakers!
Lastly,, always interact with your aggressive dwarf outside of their cage. With some dwarves it’s as simple as getting them off of their turf and into neutral space and voila! They are like new hamsters!
How to get your aggressive dwarf out of its cage when it attacks? A cup of course! As demonstrated by Misty Beach Hamsters, a hamster rescue & breeder: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CcIa85bDGUV/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=