Why your hamster doesn't trust you

A hamster is an inexpensive pet that's simple to take care of and suitable for children. They are very sweet and can be tamed easily. When you bring your new pet home and notice that it is terrifying and won't approach you, what would you do? Even after some time goes by, it might still be shy, jumpy, or afraid of you.

Before you get your hamster to like you, ensure that you have provided all the basics like Hamster Food, Hamster Toys and Hamster Healthcare & Cleaning

Here are some ways you can get your hamster to like you.

1. Provide an Adequately Sized Cage

Ensure your hamster has a sufficiently sized cage with several floors and plenty of space to run around. It has enough space, they'll be happy.

Check out some cages here

2. Create an unbreakable routine

For the first few days, ensure you change your pet's water and food daily, but don't touch it yet. Don't worry if your hamster is startled at first. It will start to get used to your hands coming in and out of the cage and understand that your presence suggests fresh water and new food.

Do this at the same time hour of the day everyday, if you can.  Your pet will start to get used to you showing up every day to provide fresh food and water, and you might start to see the pet come out of its nest to watch you or run to the food bowl as soon as you are done.

3. Earn your hamster's trust by making it come to you

As an owner, you need to let your hamster come to you to earn its trust. Don't try to track it down or forcibly pick your hamster as you might end up scaring it and in response, it might bite you. 

You can get your hamster to come to you by ensuring you have washed your hands thoroughly then put a treat on your hand and lay it flat in its cage.

 Your hamster might come and sniff at your fingers, and nibble on the food or tear. Don't get startled when this is done as the hamster is likely trying to check if you are food. Ensure you place the treat closer to the edge of your hand, where it is easy for your pet to reach.

4. Do not respond harshly if your pet bites you

Hamsters are naturally prey animals so they can get startled quite easily. They have no concept of bad behavior and do not understand punishment.

If your hamster is biting you, distract it with a toy or a treat. If it bubbles you, it generally means that it is testing out your scent.  If your hamster bites hard, it means it is scared and doesn't want to be in your hand.

Time will tell what makes your hamster bite. You could reinforce good behavior using treats, and stop doing things that make your hamster stressed.

5. Improve Your Hamster's Habitat

Immediately things have settled down and your hamster has started coming closer to you, scouring your hand, and scouring the room, provide your pet with some extra things to keep it from getting bored. If your hamster is bored, it might dig continuously in the same area or nibble at the bars of its cage.

Give your hamster chew toys like edible wood it can gnaw at, provide it with fresh vegetables, cucumber, carrot, and lettuce, give your hamster old toilet paper rolls, and add unscented tissue paper and an exercise ball to the cage.

If you follow these important steps, you would provide a happy home and a calm environment and your hamster will look forward to playtime with you