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10/20/2018 This question is on the minds of all parents who bought an animal for their children to foster a love of nature and a desire to take care of someone. Hamsters are cute, fluffy, funny creatures that evoke sympathy and affection with their funny habits. However, problems may arise with them if a “biting habit” suddenly appears. So how to stop a hamster from biting?
Why do hamsters bite? (Dzungarian, Syrian, etc.)
Do hamsters bite? is a common question asked by new pet hamster owners. Parents who are planning to purchase an animal for their children also ask this question.
The short answer is yes. Hamsters, including the dwarf Djungarian and Campbell's, bite, but only under certain circumstances.
Fright. Perhaps you are making a lot of noise? Is your hamster in a noisy part of the house? Noise is a common reason why a hamster may become scared. In addition, the rude attitude of young children can also upset the hamster. When you first bring your hamsters home, leave them in their new cage for a couple of days to allow them to settle in and become accustomed to their surroundings. Gradually teach them the presence of a person and a human voice so that it is not a strong irritant for them.
The smell of food. A hamster may bite you simply because it thinks your fingers are food, not out of fear or aggression. Their sense of smell is very developed and they can easily mistake their hands for leftover food. Wash your hands after handling food to minimize the risk of your hamster biting you.
Protective instinct. Hamsters are territorial animals, so they may see you as a threat if you stick your hands into their cage or nest, especially if you are unfamiliar to them.
Frightened, upset hamster. If you suddenly offend your hamster, do not expect a kind reaction from him. The usual cause of the disorder is sudden or unexpected awakening or nest intrusion. It's best if you let them wake up on their own if you want to play or interact with your little pets.
When to place animals
Quarrels often arise between cohabiting rodents, which are not always a signal for resettlement. Older or stronger individuals sometimes show dominance by making loud squeaks and chasing neighbors. Such outbursts of aggression do not last long and cannot be interfered with.
When cases of aggression become more frequent and methods of dominance become more severe, animals should be housed. For example, this must be done if one of the pets drives a neighbor into a corner, does not allow him to eat or sleep, or bites.
Why does a hamster bite your finger?
Even an already tamed and domesticated hamster can bite its owner. This is a rodent, and trying everything by tooth is a natural instinct. Therefore, this cannot always be regarded as a manifestation of aggression. The reasons may be different, let’s consider them in more detail.
Did you know? Hamsters swim well by taking air into their cheek pouches and using them as floats.
Female pregnancy
During pregnancy, females perceive any changes very aggressively. Even replacing water with clean water or giving food can provoke a desire to bite the owner.
If the reason for the sudden manifestation of aggression is hormones, it is worth changing the bedding, water and food less often, and it is better not to play with your pet at all for some time. Important! A female with offspring is very dangerous and aggressive. Maternal and self-preservation instincts work simultaneously!
Hands smell like food
Your hands may smell like food. The smell is not noticeable to you, but the hamster picks it up immediately. It is logical that instinctively he must now taste what attracted him so much with its aroma.
Mistreatment of animals
In defense, the hamster may bite you if you pick it up incorrectly or pull it out of the cage. It is correct to grab the animal by the side or from below.
It’s even better to open your palm and wait, the inquisitive fluffy will become interested, sniff it and climb into your hand.
Important! Try not to touch the hamster's head, this is extremely unpleasant for them.
Wants to play with the owner
When playing with its owner, the animal may lightly pinch the fingers or skin of the hands. This is not aggression, rather, on the contrary, a playful mood. But if the bites become noticeable and painful, most likely the pet is tired and it’s time to take a break.
Grinds down teeth
If your hamster's diet does not contain mineral stones, branches of fruit trees, or dry dandelion roots, he has a clear problem with his incisors. And with such a deficiency, your fingers are the least he can grind his teeth on. This is a very serious gap in the care of this rodent, which negatively affects its health.
A hamster bit until it bled: what to do and how to treat the wound
If your pet does bite you, do not stress him out by screaming, even if you do not understand the nature of aggression. It’s better to try to find the reasons and eliminate them as soon as possible.
There is no need to panic; hamsters are not carriers of rabies. There is no need to squeeze anything out of the lacerated wound. It is enough to wash the bite wound with antibacterial or regular laundry soap, then lubricate it with brilliant green and hydrogen peroxide. But if your pet has been in contact with other pets, then it can become a carrier of:
- toxoplasmosis (an extremely dangerous disease for the expectant mother);
- listeriosis;
- tuberculosis;
- and, according to some doctors, salmonella and meningitis. Although practice does not confirm this method of transmission of these infections.
If the bite site turns red, bruises, itches, or is swollen, consult a doctor immediately. Did you know? Vietnam has legally prohibited the breeding of these pets, considering them to be the main carriers of most serious infections. For breaking the law, residents of the country face a huge fine.
How to stop a hamster from biting
As a rule, this brave man attacks children more often, since they spend more time with him and constantly try to pick him up and cuddle him. We need to explain to them that a pet is a living creature, not a toy.
And his teeth are the only way to protect himself from the threat. But if a child is eager to take care of a cute creature, teach him to be more attentive to the animal’s daily routine. You should not pull the animal if it is washing itself or sleeping.
Well, the main rule is to gradually and regularly accustom your pet to handling:
- Start by treating him to his favorite food, stick your hand into the cage and wait until the little greedy sniffs it, gradually remembering your smell, and then swallows the treat.
- The next step is to get him to take the treat from your hand.
- You can switch to tactile contact when he is already fearlessly eating from your hands.
- The final stage can be considered the moment when he allows you to pull yourself together.
Find out how long they live, what diseases they suffer from, how to find out the gender of hamsters, whether they need to be washed, why hamsters squeak and itch. By correctly teaching a child or adult how to handle a cute pet, you may well be able to minimize or even avoid animal bites and their consequences. And then your communication with your furry pet will be filled with positivity, positive emotions and nothing will overshadow it. >Why does a hamster bite: video
Which breed smells less?
Hamsters themselves do not emit any odor, but your efforts to combat unpleasant odors are directly related to the size of the pet. If it is a large animal, then it will produce more excrement than a small one. This explains why the level of dirt in the cage of Syrian hamsters is higher, and they need to be cleaned more often.
It is also important to consider the length of hair in rodents. The longer it is, the more odors accumulate in it from contact with dirty filler. Even despite their cleanliness, hamsters cannot clean their long fur thoroughly enough, and this responsibility falls on the owners. This explains why Syrian hamsters' cages have to be cleaned more often.
The least problematic is keeping small rodents with short hair. These include Djungarian hamsters; such breeds are less difficult to care for.
Reviews
Beautiful hamster! Yes, this is a Syrian hamster, golden in color, long-haired, male.
Don't just let him smell your hands and don't show him your fingers. He cannot grab it right away, as he must see who is taking it. Give it a sniff and immediately feel free to pick it up with both hands; it’s better that you do this and not a child; adults have larger hands. The fact is that he has already realized that they are afraid of him; when he bites, they leave him alone. On the contrary, you reinforce in the hamster’s mind that it is possible to bite, and you also give a treat for it. Now you can give “sweets” only after he sits in your arms. Try it!
You can replace the shavings with wood filler.
https://hamsterhappy.info/index.php/topic,497.msg2075.html?PHPSESSID=59pl1r88lfoilr2k4red0ht780#msg2075
Koutoku
Is your hamster still small? Squeeze your “terrible beast” more often. Take it from above so that the homie does not reach you with his teeth, and hold it in your arms without putting a finger or hand under his muzzle. They held him, talked to him, gave him a treat - and into the cage. And so 3-4 times per evening. The more and more often you hold it in your hands, the faster you will tame it.
I once had a hamster who would throw himself on his back and scream at the sight of me, not to mention that he would bite like a hungry wolf as soon as he stuck his hand into the cage. It took 2 months to tame such an animal. Became a completely tame “bun” who climbed into his hands
