6 replies to this topic

[♥ YukiTheHammy ♥]

I have had my Chinese hamster Tofu since the middle of May, but haven't tamed her. I've tried, but now I am very scared to touch and get near her her if she bites me. She usually just runs away if I put my hand in the cage, but she seems very curious and comes back but then runs back in her burrows and so on. She definitely doesn't get close to me, but if she does it's only to bite my hand. I am very scared to get bit, but when she bites it doesn't even leave a mark since she's so small. It's more of an irrational fear of getting bit. I have tried wearing gloves on my hand, but she more scared as it appears bigger. How can I tame her if she is like this?

 

Different thing: She also runs on her wheel a lot and she can run VERY fast. Last night, (and I'm sure many more, just I didn't see) she ran so fast that she did a back flip over her wheel. She also stumbled a few times. Theres a plastic piece sticking out in the middle of the wheel (making it spin) and her back went over it. She seems fine, she just got right back on the wheel and kept running but is this going to be an issue? Can she get hurt?

[ChloesCritters]

I have had my Chinese hamster Tofu since the middle of May, but haven't tamed her. I've tried, but now I am very scared to touch and get near her her if she bites me. She usually just runs away if I put my hand in the cage, but she seems very curious and comes back but then runs back in her burrows and so on. She definitely doesn't get close to me, but if she does it's only to bite my hand. I am very scared to get bit, but when she bites it doesn't even leave a mark since she's so small. It's more of an irrational fear of getting bit. I have tried wearing gloves on my hand, but she more scared as it appears bigger. How can I tame her if she is like this?

 

Different thing: She also runs on her wheel a lot and she can run VERY fast. Last night, (and I'm sure many more, just I didn't see) she ran so fast that she did a back flip over her wheel. She also stumbled a few times. Theres a plastic piece sticking out in the middle of the wheel (making it spin) and her back went over it. She seems fine, she just got right back on the wheel and kept running but is this going to be an issue? Can she get hurt?

Ok, this is my method which has been successful for both me and my sisters hamsters except mochi hes an independent boy.

I start by placing a treat near a place they are comfortable with, to this at around the same time everyday. This will get to tofu to understand that your hand coming in means treat in. Then, you can start offering it on your hand. after that, try to entice her to go on your hand. Make sure you do this slowly.

[daisy~]

It sounds like the biting is curious rather than aggressive, since it doesn't leave. What I do with a curiously biting hamster is, the first couple of times don't react at all. Often they will stop once they've realises you aren't food. If they continue biting, pull your hand back slightly each time to indicate that you don't like being bitten. Perhaps avoid feeding from your hand for the time being because it might confuse her. Gloves won't help, unfortunately.

It sounds like she needs a wheel without a spoke in the middle. She could get hurt another time. The Silent Runner is a good choice.

Edited by daisy~, 13 July 2022 - 10:55 PM.

[♥ YukiTheHammy ♥]

It sounds like she needs a wheel without a spoke in the middle. She could get hurt another time. The Silent Runner is a good choice.

I am going to get this wheel soon, but is the size medium (10 inch diameter) a good size that I can use for the rest of her life? 

Edited by ♥ YukiTheHammy ♥, 12 July 2022 - 10:46 PM.

[daisy~]

I am going to get this wheel soon, but is the size medium (10 inch diameter) a good size that I can use for the rest of her life?

The Silent Runner comes in 9 inch or 12 inch. I believe people use the 9 inch for Chinese hamsters so hopefully it's big enough? I've never had a Chinese so not totally sure.

[Kikya]

I am going to get this wheel soon, but is the size medium (10 inch diameter) a good size that I can use for the rest of her life? 

That's a fantastic wheel, best quality wheel on the market. Easy to clean and you can adjust the height! My robo and dwarf are using that size and love it. =) It does take them a bit to get use to stopping and starting it but they soon get the hang of it.

 

My female syrian used it too for a long time, until I had to switch her out for the large (to give the small guys an easier wheel).

Edited by Kikya, 13 July 2022 - 09:08 PM.

[daisy~]

I am going to get this wheel soon, but is the size medium (10 inch diameter) a good size that I can use for the rest of her life?

Sorry, I didn't notice before there was a link in your post. Yes, as Kikya says, that wheel is good and I would think 10 inches is a good size for a Chinese.