Do Hamsters Like To Be Petted? What You Need To Know!
Wild hamsters are prey animals, so they tend to be skittish even when tamed. Their jumpy nature sometimes makes them hard to handle or pet.
Do hamsters like to be petted? Yes, hamsters love to be petted. They thrive on and love receiving the attention of their owners. However, whether or not a hamster likes petting depends on its personality and familiarity with the owner. Petting creates a strong bond, but hamsters only enjoy it at specific times, places, and situations.
Before you pet your hamster, read on to learn when and how to do it properly and how you can tell if it likes being petted.
Do Hamsters Like To Be Petted?
Hamsters love being petted. Like most pets, hamsters enjoy their owner’s attention, especially when they have a strong bond. Petting depends on factors like personality and familiarity, so some hamsters may never allow their owners to touch them. Those that enjoy the attention only like to be petted under particular conditions and at specific times.
Since hamsters are prey in the wild, they have the instinct to be on guard against predators. Most predators that eat hamsters attack them from above because they are small rodents. Hence, any touch from above or sudden movement is uncomfortable for hamsters. This uneasiness is why some new owners may think their furry friends hate petting.
Petting your furry friend is great because it strengthens the bond between you. The more time you spend holding your hamster and running your fingers through its fur, the closer you get. In time, when the rodent trusts you enough, it can sleep in your palm when you stroke it.
Here’s a video of a hamster enjoying being petted.
Where Do Hamsters Like To Be Petted?
Most hamsters love being touched on the back or top of the head. Tender touches or strokes on the head or back are the best way to pet your furry friend. If the hamster trusts you, you’ll notice it relax and enjoy being petted when you touch these areas.
Generally, hamsters like to be petted on the furry parts of their body. They hate having their legs touched and will show discomfort if you decide to touch them. The rule with petting a hamster is to watch its reaction and see what it likes or dislikes.
How To Pet A Hamster
Hamsters are naturally skittish, so building trust takes time. A new hamster will generally refuse any touch because it’s in unfamiliar territory, so you must let it settle down first. Feed the rodent regularly and go near its cage so that it gets used to your scent.
You can pet your hamster while holding it or when it’s on the ground. However, it takes some time before a hamster is comfortable with being petted and held. Hence, before you can pet your furry friend regularly, you have to introduce touch in phases. Start by touching its back when you feed it before you can think about holding it in your hand.
If it’s nighttime or your hamster is awake, you can pick it up and pet it. Here’s how to safely pick up your hamster;
1. Clean your hands.
Hamsters have a strong sense of smell that allows them to identify and avoid predators. If you pet cats, dogs, or other predators, your hamster can pick up their scents on your hands. Predator’s scents frighten hamsters, so your furry friend will refuse to be petted. Hence, you should wash your hand before approaching the hamster.
2. Don’t pick them from above.
Being prey animals, hamsters live in fear in the wild. Their predators typically swoop down from the sky to attack. Hence, dipping your hand quickly into the cage from above is terrifying for your furry friend. Instead, slowly lower your hand into the cage and rest it gently on the floor.
3. Show your palm
After your hand has been in the cage for a few moments, slip it to show your palm. Move it slowly in the direction of your hamster so that it can crawl on. If your hamster doesn’t climb, you can softly pick it up.
Since hamsters are fragile animals, handling them carelessly can cause injury. When petting your hamster, use two fingers to touch its back. Run your fingers tenderly down its back and avoid sudden movements that can startle the rodent.
How Do I Know My Hamster Likes Being Petted?
Hamsters have several ways to show their approval or disapproval. If your pet hamster is happy when you pet it, there are many ways it can show its approval, including;
Relaxing
When your hamster enjoys your petting, it will relax its facial features. It may shake its ears, squeeze its nose or narrow its eyes to show that it is having a great time.
Similarly, if the hamster relaxes, it may sit comfortably in your palm. Nestling in your palm shows that the pet enjoys the touching and wants you to continue cuddling. Sometimes, the hamster will become comfortable that it falls asleep while you’re petting it.
Squeaking happily
Hamsters generally squeak and chirp when offered a treat. If your pet rodent squeaks and chirps happily when you cuddle it, you can be sure it’s enjoying the session.
How Can I Tell If My Hamster Hates Petting?
If your hamster hates being petted, it will express its feelings every time you attempt to touch it. Some of the signs that your pet rodent friend hates being touched include;
- Sharp hissing and squeaking. When hamsters get irritated or angry, they express it by hissing sharply or squeaking repeatedly. You should quit instantly if you try to pet your furry friend and hear repeated squeaks.
- Running, clawing, biting, and trying to escape your grasp. If your hamster tries to escape your hands when you try to pet it, it hates to be petted.
How Do Hamsters Like To Be Touched
Hamsters generally don’t allow touching. When they allow touching, it must be done at the right time and comfortably. Here are a few tips on how to touch your pet rodent;
- Be gentle and tender since they are delicate animals. Rough handling will cause jumpiness and injuries.
- Since they are usually scared of predators, you should use an open hand. Place your palm close to the ground to avoid falls since hamsters are fast and skittish.
Can I Teach My Hamster To Like Being Petted?
Some hamsters don’t like to be petted at all. Some can be convinced to like touch, while others are set in their ways and will never allow it. You can try to introduce petting using the following tips;
- Offer the hamster treats and attempt to touch it when it eats the treat. After some time, it will associate treats with petting and begin to like the activity. You can also put the treats in your palm so that the hamster has to climb on to eat.
- Pat the hamster before you start petting it. A pat is simply a short petting session, so your furry friend may get used to patting and allow petting after some time.
FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about petting hamsters.
When do hamsters like to be petted?
Since hamsters are nocturnal animals, they are usually more active at night than during the day. Hence, the evening is one of the best times to pet your furry friend since that’s when they are likely to be active. Sleepy hamsters hate being touched, and waking them up can cause irritability.
Do hamsters like to be touched?
Hamsters like to be touched but only in particular ways and by someone they know. They enjoy being carried in the palm, petting, and fur stroking. However, you should never surprise a hamster or touch it suddenly from above because that frightens them.
Conclusion
Hamsters generally love to be petted. However, you must pet them in a particular way and during their waking hours since sleepy hamsters can bite you. The most obvious signs that your furry friend likes being petted are relaxing in your hands and even sleeping sometimes.