Handling hamster

[Dom Tuk]

Our pet hamster has bitten the kids and both of them are wary of handling it. hence poor hamster languishes in its cage and the kids have lost interest (story probably repeated in endless households). What can i do to stop it biting and get the kids to handle the pet.

[woofgang]

Many (many many) years ago I took over a hamster who had been in a day nursery. The staff hadn't supervised the kids with him properly and when I got him he was a right little *** and would have a go at anybody. It took about a week (yes really) to get him to trust me I used to let him run around inside my shirt while I was revising for my A levels, he never bit me or any of the family.

[Noweia]

The problem with hamsters is that they are nocturnal, and are liable to be grouchy if they are woken up during the day - which unfortunately is when most people want to interact with them!

As andy hughes and woofgang have said, patience and gentleness are the key!