| Kid's Korner Handling Your New Hamster By Rebekah Brittain |
| So you brought home a new hamster? Whenever anyone brings home a new hamster, they are always excited, so you probably are too! But, before you begin to handle your new hamster, you should follow a few of these rules. 1) You just came home with your new fuzzy pal. First, you need place him in his new home. If possible, let him walk into the cage on his own by putting the open end of the box at the door without touching him. 2) If you have any other hamsters or animals, you should place your new hamster in a quiet room alone, to make sure that he is a healthy hamster and that he won't make any of your other pets sick! You should leave him in that room for about 2 weeks, to give him enough time to settle. 3) Hamsters need time to adjust to their new cage and to you! It's best to either leave your hamster alone without disturbing him for a few days or to play with him for just a few minutes each day when it is very quiet in your house. Get a parent to help if you can. Let him walk around and get used to you and the way you smell. You may want to sit on the floor and put the soles of your feet together with someone else and let the hamster wander inside that space. Try to talk softly and move slowly while he's out so he doesn't get scared. 4) Before you start to handle your new friend, talk to him in a nice voice. 5) Wash your hands before placing your hand in his home. 6) Put your hand in his cage, but don't grab for him, let him come sniff you. Let him decide if he wants to come to you. He has to get used to you. You can also offer him a treat to get your friend to come to you. He will learn that when you put your hand in his home, he will get food. That should make him happy! 7) Once he smells you, you can scoop him up with a paper tube or a cup, but be gentle. 8) If he comes to you, reward him with a treat, like a peanut or a sunflower seed. 9) If possible, set up an empty kiddie swimming pool (playpen) to sit in with your hamster. Let him run on you and get used to your smell, if you don't have a pool, a bed or a bath tub will work just fine! 10) If you do set up a playpen for your friend, like was said above, again, don't grab for him, let him walk on you. 11) Never pick him up while he is asleep, you will scare him, and he might give you a nip! Remember, your hamster is a friend for life! © California Hamster Association |
 |