Forming a friendly bond with your new hamster can be a tricky and often delicate task. But even if you’re an inexperienced owner, there are proven things you can do to bond with your pet.
Here are ten steps to help you bond with your hamster:
- Monitor your pet hamster’s behavior.
- Practice holding the hamster.
- Give your hamster time to adjust.
- Socialize with your hamster regularly.
- Provide your hamster with entertaining stimuli.
- Use quality food and bedding.
- Check for signs of illness.
- Keep your hamster active.
- Maintain a clean cage.
- Adjust the cage’s location.
How To Bond With Your Hamster
For the rest of this article, I’ll give you a clearer picture of how to apply each of these steps. All of them are crucial for forming a lasting friendship with your new furry companion.
1. Monitor Your Pet Hamster’s Behavior
One of the best ways to create a positive bond with your hamster is to keep a close watch over its behavior and notice any good or bad changes in your pet’s routine.
Attempting to hold or show affection with a hamster when it shows signs of stress or discomfort is generally a bad idea. Instead, it’s a good idea to wait until the hamster is in a better, more receptive mood before displaying physical affection.
Fortunately, hamsters tend to make it obvious when they’re in a bad mood. They will growl, bare or grind their teeth, or lie in a prone position on their back.
When you see one or more of these signs, I recommend that you give your pet space before attempting any close interactions.
On the other hand, there are several signs your hamster will likely display when it’s in a friendly, more pleasant mood. These include playing, lying down in a quiet, relaxed position, or grooming.
If you notice your friend seems to be in a pleasant mood, it’s a good idea to continue through to the next step: holding your hamster!
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2. Practice Holding the Hamster
Holding your hamster is an incredibly effective way of forming a close bond and allowing the animal to trust and even show affection toward you.
That said, there are a few key things to keep in mind that will make holding your pet a smoother, more productive experience for both of you.
First, you’ll want to allow your hamster to become familiar with your hands. You can achieve this familiarity by feeding it treats, softly petting it—if it’s in a good mood!—, and touching your hands against parts of the cage so your pet will recognize the scent.
After your new friend has gotten used to your hands, voice, and smell, you