Pet hamsters might be nice enjoyable to spend time with, even once you’re simply watching them of their habitat. In relation to choosing them up and dealing with them, although, the method can appear a bit overwhelming and even intimidating at first. They’re so small and fragile!
The excellent news is that holding a hamster safely and correctly is simple as soon as you realize what you’re doing and also you get a bit of apply in, however solely do it in case your hamster is used to it and enjoys it. In the event that they do, here’s a step-by-step information for holding your hamster safely and correctly.
Preparation
You will need to be sure to completely wash your palms earlier than dealing with your pet hamster. Hamsters have a powerful sense of scent and in the event that they scent something that alarms them or in the event that they choose up the scent of one other animal that you just’ve been dealing with, they might really feel threatened and attempt to chunk you in protection. Washing your palms with unscented cleaning soap will assist be sure that you don’t scare your hamster with lingering scents and that you just don’t switch any micro organism or germs to them.
The 7 Ideas for Holding a Hamster Safely & Correctly
1. Get Shut for Acclimation
Earlier than choosing up your hamster, allow them to sniff you, and get acclimated to your shut presence. You are able to do this by slowly placing your hand of their habitat and letting it linger close to them, being cautious to not contact them fairly but. Allow them to strategy you and supply treats in return. Being too aggressive or working too shortly can scare the hamster and make them afraid of future makes an attempt to carry them.
2. Encourage Your Hamster to Get in Your Hand
Flip your hand the wrong way up so your palm is open and exhibiting, and encourage your hamster to climb onto your palm. For those who keep nonetheless and be affected person, your hamster would possibly climb onto your hand on their very own. You possibly can attempt to entice them by placing a deal with, like a sunflower seed, in your palm. In case your hamster doesn’t wish to get in your hand, come again once more later and take a look at once more. After just a few tries, the method ought to be profitable.
3. Use a Scooping Technique
As soon as your hamster is within the palm of your hand and appears calm and cozy, gently fold your fingers up round them with out completely enclosing them and scoop them up out of their habitat. It’s essential to make use of each palms and maintain your hamster near you so that you don’t by accident drop them in the event that they attempt to get away. In the event that they do attempt to escape, put them again of their habitat as shortly as potential to reduce any stress that the dealing with is inflicting them.
4. Make Gradual Actions
Whereas holding your hamster, make gradual actions, and watch out to not jerk round when potential. Fast and erratic actions can stress the animal and make them scared to be held. They could attempt to chunk or bounce off and injure themselves within the course of. Utilizing gradual actions and staying nonetheless will assist maintain your hamster calm and stress-free.
5. Supply a Deal with
Providing a treat to your hamster when you’re holding them, at the very least through the first few occasions, will assist the animal see the dealing with as a constructive expertise. In case your hamster is aware of that they are going to get a deal with everytime you maintain them, they are going to begin to look ahead to the dealing with classes and fortunately climb into your palm once you supply it to them. Make certain the deal with is small so it doesn’t minimize into their common food regimen. Sunflower seeds, carrots, apples, and broccoli are all wholesome deal with choices to contemplate.
6. Hold Dealing with Periods Quick
Even when your hamster continues to be and appears calm when you maintain them, the motion could be stressing them out, particularly in the event that they’re not used to being dealt with. So, for the primary a number of dealing with classes, it’s a good suggestion to maintain the classes quick. Spend simply 5 minutes or so holding your hamster earlier than slowly placing them again within the habitat once more. When you’re assured that your hamster is comfy being dealt with, you’ll be able to lengthen the dealing with occasions till you’re spending as a lot time as you’d like with them.
7. Make Time for Dealing with Typically
Holding your hamster frequently is a superb way to bond with the animal. As soon as they’re comfy with the method, dealing with may also help them really feel protected and safe. In case your hamster doesn’t thoughts, you’ll be able to deal with them as much as two or thrice a day! Simply achieve this in brief spurts. Ready too many days between classes also can maintain your hamster from getting used to the dealing with, which in flip, could cause stress each time you do determine to deal with them.
A Closing Recap
Wash your palms, take your time, let your pet hamster get comfy with you, after which benefit from the time you spend holding your hamster. That’s all there’s to it! There isn’t a purpose to be afraid of holding your hamster with the assistance of the following pointers and methods. At all times supervise youngsters and older kids after they’re dealing with a pet hamster to make sure the security of the animal and everybody else concerned, however make certain they’re sufficiently old and perceive behave round such a fragile animal. Younger kids shouldn’t deal with hamsters.
In case your hamster is skittish and dislikes being dealt with or just isn’t eager on being held, respect that and don’t drive an interplay that could be uncomfortable, or annoying, doubtlessly even harmful if the hamster tries to leap off your hand.
Featured Picture Credit score: sabza, Shutterstock
