hamster

hello everyone,

i went to pets at home last knight to buy a few bits and bobs for the guinea pigs, as always i looked at the adoption range, and there were four hamsters. one male was really aggressive, one female was really small (but friendly), one was asleep, and the last one came up to the front of the cage and started running around, he looked so sweet. the reason he was up for adoption and not for buying was because someone had brought him in and said they didn't want him anymore cos he was very nervous about being handled. i just had to give him a new home. i have never had a hamster and it was totally unexpected for me to get one, but i couldn't leave him there! he is a 3 month old Syrian Hamster called Harry   he will need allot of TLC. he really loves his weal (too much if you ask me) and he is very active, climbing and swinging on the bars, and jumping off thing, lol

thanks for reading about my new pet  :happy:

Blackcap1000

i'll post a picture of him when he's a little more tamed 

We have had hamsters and had a lot of pleasure from them, but we never handled them much, it wasn't neccessary as they had plenty of playthings. OH managed to "train" both of them to go into their tunnel so he could take the top off the cage to clean, they would happily play on the garage floor, still in the cage, and would hop back in the tunnel when it was time for it to be fitted back on the base again. One lived to be 3yo and the other 2 1/2. We missed them when they died, even though we didn't handle them.

After 5 1/2 years of keeping hamsters we then had time for a dog....or two!

Hi, Hamsters are fine and I have found easy to train as long as given time and patience.
With a nervous Hamster just take things very slowly, start by voice then touch his back while eating, then gradually get nearer to head, then start stroking, while he is eating.  Then start stroking down one side, then both before trying to pick up for the first time  usually about an inch before letting him down.  It will be worth it, they are great pets, an the first time they show enough trust in you to sit on your hand and wash themselves is truly wonderful.
Biggest thing to remember is that they have terrible eyesight, so anything waved in front of their nose is "tasted".  Make sure that you do smell of food!

Hope this helps.

BTW I have had Hamsters since I was 5.  About 20 in total, and loved everyone!

Well done on adopting it, hope it works out.