What To Do If A Hamster Bites You

Hamsters are affectionate little companions that are rarely aggressive. They usually bite only when they feel scared, however, their tiny teeth will normally not make serious damage. Fortunately, you can teach your hamster to accept your handling and stop biting. This is quite important since a bite can hurt and make you feel uncomfortable. So, here is what to do if a hamster bites you.

Take Care of The Wound Immediately

Although most bites will be small and superficial, in some cases, deeper wounds may occur. Whatever the case, all wounds should be cleaned with a lot of water and soap to avoid infections. Once the wound is dry, cover it with loose bandaging or with a band-aid. Although infections are mostly caused by bacteria living in the pet’s mouth or your skin, they can be transmitted by an infected pet. Bacteria like Francisella tularensis may require antimicrobial therapy to treat. This is quite rare, however, pet owners should always monitor their wounds for signs of infection. The first couple of days are crucial, and you should look for any signs of swelling or rash.

Moreover, antimicrobial therapy should be considered for bites on joints, tendons, or implants. Those areas are more vulnerable to infections and require close attention. If a hamster bites an immunocompromised individual or cancer patient, careful monitoring of the wound and immediate contact with a doctor is needed.

Remain Calm and Don’t Excite Your Hamster

When a hamster bites you, the first thing that will probably come to your mind is to yell or panic. This is not a good idea since it will probably make your friend feel more anxious and prone to biting again. Instead, remain calm and slowly lower the hamster back into his cage. That will cause him to release his grip. If however, this is not enough, then with your other hand try to slowly pry its jaws open to get your skin out.

Stop Such Future Behaviors

Once your hamster has bitten you, it is likely to do that again. Therefore, it is important to teach him how to stop biting. Patience is the key to successful teaching. In order to earn the trust of your pet, you need to go slow. Particularly for new pets in the family, getting used to your presence and handling may take more than a month. That’s only natural. The steps you need to take are the following.

* LET YOUR HAMSTER FEEL YOU

A really effective tip is to sit near his cage every evening and try to talk, sing or read to him. That way, you offer your hamster the time needed to adjust to your presence, voice, and scent. When you need to take him out in order to clean the cage. you should preferably herd it into a corner with a towel and then scoop it up gently. Some owners prefer to wear thick gloves at first to avoid any unpleasant bites. This is not a great measure, however, since it will not allow your pet to get used to your scent. Another thing to have in mind is that every time you will touch the hamster, it is best to have washed your hands to eliminate any food or other scents from your fingers.

* OFFER IT SOME TREATS

When we talk about pet education, the first thing that comes to mind is the use of treats. Sunflower seeds, apples, and raisins are all great ideas if you have not yet discovered your pet’s favorite treats. Offer these treats with your bare hand and wait for your little friend to come closer to eat. To make this step more efficient, you could have already let your hamster get used to your hand, by frequently moving it inside its cage and giving your hamster time to explore or sniff it.

* PET YOUR FRIEND

Once your little friend has learned to take treats from your hand without fear, it is now time to move things forward. You can start by petting it gently and once he becomes familiar with it and shows no signs of discomfort, you can move on to pick it up for short periods. A great way of achieving that is by enticing it into your hands with the treats and then scooping it up with both hands. It is important to avoid gripping him tightly, as this may seem threatening to him. In case he tries to escape your hand and jump away, make sure you do not hold him high above the ground to avoid any accidents. The most important thing, however, is to never yell or scold your hamster. This is the only way to gain his trust and become real friends.

Why Is My Hamster Biting Me?

Hamsters are generally tame pets and are rarely aggressive to others, including humans. However, when they have not been handled much, it is only natural that they may feel threatened by your presence. What owners should always remember is that this pet will only bite them if he is afraid, not out of aggressiveness. Therefore, you need to give him time to get used to you and not be overwhelming. Patience is the only way to make your little pet get to know you and loves you.

To Wrap It Up

When a hamster is first introduced into a new cage and house, it is only natural that he may feel insecure. Ideally, owners should allow it time to get accommodated to the new surrounding before starting to place their hands in the cage. What’s more, hamsters can be really grumpy when they are sleeping. Once they suddenly wake up, they can bite you. Moreover, they are most active during the evening, so it may be best to start your efforts at touching them during that time.

Hamsters can be great companions as they are small and easy to care for. Although they are normally not aggressive animals, they can still bite you if they feel startled or threatened. Thus, owners should try to make them get used to their presence and scent. Patience is the key to success and is the only way to help you establish a healthy relationship with your pet.