Thinking of a pet hamster? Then you must be wondering, does a hamster bite hurt?
Unfortunately, these bites can be painful, so you must handle them carefully.
However, hamsters are not aggressive as you might have already pictured, and the bite you get when your hamster is sacred is more of a nibble and superficial.
As we can agree, hamsters make excellent pets. Mainly because they don’t require much attention. They are cute, cuddly, and pleasant to hold.
However, they need gentle care and may not make the best pets for young children.
Petting a new hamster can be an exciting experience.
However, because of hamsters’ behavior, your first time might be difficult and even annoying before getting the hang of it.
Why does a hamster bite?
Sudden movements frighten a hamster and cause it to bite. They can also bite if they recognize unfamiliar smells or when they are hungry or sick.
It is essential to understand that hamsters usually bite because they are fearful and not aggressive.
You, therefore, need to be patient enough to earn your hamster’s trust to handle them without biting you.
It is a gradual process, and for some, especially the mature ones, it may take longer than expected. Don’t be discouraged; keep repeating the steps until they finally respond.
What type of hamsters like biting?
Hamsters are cute little pets, but before getting one, it is important to learn the traits. There are different types of hamsters, each having its own traits.
And in this regard, some like biting more than others.
For example, the Dwarf Russian Hamster has a timid nature making it more prone to bit, while the female hamsters are more aggressive than the males when in heat.
How to Stop a Hamster from Biting
A hamster bite is quite painful and does not cause any severe injuries. They have tiny sharp teeth that feel more like a pinch than a bite.
Therefore, the bite can’t break your skin, but if your skin is broken, it might cause an infection. So how can you stop the biting?
1. Allow your hamster to get used to you
When your hamster is active in the evenings, spend some good time around his cage. This makes him familiar with your presence, especially your scent.
However, whenever you need to clean the cage, you can herd it into a corner with a towel and then pick him up.
But until you are both used to each other, it is advisable to avoid picking him up just yet.
2. Offer treats to your hamster
When offering treats, start with sunflower seeds, raisins, or apples as you discover his favorite treats with time.
Offering these treats from a bear hand can be a great training tool; eventually, he will allow you to touch and pet him.
Don’t rush into petting him just yet, but If you notice he is curious, let your hamster sniff and get to know your scent. As he explores, it gives him a chance to get familiar with you.
3. It might be time to pet him
If you noticed your hamster sniffing, then he is probably getting comfortable with you. Start with a gentle pet; you don’t want to scare him.
Once a relationship has been established, you can try picking him up. A good approach is to let him onto your hands with treats and then scoop him up.
Why do Hamsters Chew Cage Bars?
Hamsters that have been found to chew cage bars are likely to bite people. Therefore, it is important to understand the link.
A hamster will chew their cages due to various reasons.
One is because hamsters’ teeth grow continuously
As a result, they chew cages to wear them off and prevent them from being too long. If the teeth are too long, it will make them uncomfortable.
Sometimes the food they eat doesn’t allow enough chewing action, which is why they gnaw on bars.
Boredom is another reason
Hamsters need mental and physical excitement like other pets; they turn to the cages if they are isolated or left without engaging hamster toys.
Your hamster could be stressed
They also chew to ease the stress caused by specific stressors such as cats and children that are not gentle on them and cages.
For that reason, keep your hamster in a quiet place to reduce these stressors.
All in all, try to discourage the habit
Although chewing on cages is typical for hamsters, it should be discouraged since it may cause teeth injury.
Also, continuously chewing on cages could make for a successful escape.
Some essential tips to keep in mind
Before handling your hamster, it is a good idea to wash your hands so that your fingers don’t smell like food.
Handling your hamster with gloves, in the beginning, is okay, as it offers extra protection, but only do this temporarily.
Remember, your hamster needs to get familiar with your scent. Something that goes a long way when you start taming your hamster him.
Do not shake him off when petting or carrying your pet when he suddenly gets clamped on your hand.
This will scare him more. Instead, put him back down gently or slowly pry him off your hand.
The big no-no. Yelling, scolding, and hitting your hamster.
What is essential is staying calm because, remember, he is biting your hand out of fear; there is no need to make the situation worse.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, hamsters are good pets that don’t require too much attention. They can be trained just like other pets and become friendly.
Therefore, when a hamster bites, it could be they are just scared. Try to be patient enough to make them comfortable and earn your trust, and soon they will stop biting.