first hamster..

[missjef]

this is my first hamster and i have had him for about a year and a half, and have never really handled him because he always seemed to want to run away, any ideas on how to start now? or is it too late? also any ideas on treats for him, i gave him a little bit of grape the other day and he seemed to enjoy it. do they eat apples and such like?

many thanks

[elleroo]

they eat most fruit and veg if its fresh. mine always likes a bit of raw carrot, but be careful cos they like to stash it in their homes and it rots really quick.
my hamster was really nervous for ages. it might take a while but try just sitting with your hand balled up in the cage so he can get really used to you being in his space, then try feeding him sunflower seeds out of your hand cos they really like them. soon he will get used to it and his confidence will build up loads more. we get our hamster little chocolate or yoghurt drops, they go down well

also, let him out to play every day if you can because then he associates you with having fun instead of fearing you.

mine still freaks out if i make loud noises too near him so dont worry if he is always a little nervous.

GOOD LUCK!

[electricblue]

We could never handle our hamster at all but we built up an understanding,in that i would open her cage and she would crawl into her ball then after her run around the ball would be put back against the cage door and she would walk out and back to her bed this went on for ages till she died of old age,cant explain it but we just understood each other,weird eh?

[Cheekystar]

treats - grapes, apple, cucumber, carrot

perhaps try picking him up slowly at first then stroking gently, be confident, and if he looks likes he's going to bite you, adjust how you hold it

[gutfish]

just grab him. my hamster used to run away, but it's only while they're on the ground.... as soon as you pick him up and put him on your hand he'll be fine.

very suprised it's took u this long to handle him though

[meltoadhall]

no harm in trying, but 18 months old is getting on a bit for a hamster.

[Kingaroo]

When I got my first hamster, I wore my dad's work gloves when I picked her up. She bit the first few times, but since it didn't hurt me, she stopped bothering. When we were less afraid of each other, I took off the gloves, and she never bit.

Gutfish is right, your hamster will run to the other side of the cage at first, but just grab him (gently) and then be very calm. If you aren't wearing gloves, be prepared for a little nibble, just to see how you taste. You might want to do your first introductions in a contained space so that he can't fall or run under something inconvenient. Over a laundry basket full of folded towels, perhaps.