File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
so recently i bought a dwarf Hamster, and when i came home and put the fella in his new cage i figured it would be good to let it get used to it before i started playing whit him, so the next when i tried to pick it up, i didnt even touch it and it started squelling and running around in despair i imediatly stoped and left the liltle guy alone for 2 more days thinking it wasnt used to its new enviroment and maybe it was stressed.
so afer the 2 days its still desperate and it started squelling even before i put my hand any closer to it
seems like its not goona fet any better, so now i have a desperate stressed hamster wich its not really fun.
wat should i do /an/?
>> Anonymous
You should have gotten a gerbil, they're much more docile and friendly. Also, you can keep them in pairs.
>> Anonymous
>>Also, you can keep them in pairs.

No.
>> Anonymous
>>288841

gerbils are raised in pairs, Dumbass.
>> Anonymous
>>288842

confirmed
http://www.agsgerbils.org/Gerbil_Care_Handbook/index.php
>> Anonymous
just be glad it's not biting you like hxc extreeeeem like mine does
>> Anonymous
Sounds like it was stressed at the pet store. Spend a lot of time hanging around its cage and talking-- get it used to seeing you and hearing your voice. Once it seems to be okay with that, you can move on to placing your hand in the cage. Keep your hand still so the hamster can come and see you himself, and let him sniff you and check you out. Pull your hand back a little if he looks like he's going to bite, but otherwise let him investigate.

Anyway, the thing with dwarfs is that they're cage aggressive sometimes (and in your case, cage paranoid) so it's best to handle them outside of the cage in a safe area. If you place a cup or something like that in front of him and let him crawl inside, you can lift him out of the cage without risking a territorial bite.

Hopefully he warms up to you OP, I've never had a hamster that scared. Poor guy.
>> Anonymous
>>288931

Does he only bite you when you try to touch him within the cage? Remember dwarfs are cage territorial and will protect the home they see as 'theirs.' If you can get him out with the use of a cup, toilet tube, hamster ball, or similar, he should be better when handled outside of the cage.

Also, the best way to pick up a hamster is either 1) place your hand flat in front of the hamster, but don't give him enough time to bite, and with your other hand, gently push his butt so he walks onto your palm. This method is good for somewhat tamer hamsters. Or, 2) make a 'tunnel' out of your thumb and fingers, and place it in front of him. As he climbs inside, slowly tighten the 'tunnel' around him and pick him up. Since it seems more like he's going through a tube and less like he's getting grabbed from above by a predator, they tend to not be as freaked out by this type of handling.