Why Is My Hamster So Scared Of Me: Gain Their Trust In Easy Way
Hamsters are little prey creatures and prefer to live alone. Their behavior, living style, and needs differ from other pet animals. That’s why hamsters aren’t suggested as a starter pet. But since you already got them, you need a precise answer.
Why is my hamster so scared of me? Hamsters are scared of new places, new smells, sudden moves, stressful environments, holding aggressively, forceful interaction, etc. They are prey in the wild. So they have heightened senses. And those senses tell them to avoid larger animals.
That’s why you need to be a little experienced in handling them and win their trust in the first place. Read below to find out how to win their trust, how long the process takes, and how to know they’re happy with you.
Why Is My Hamster So Scared Of Me?
According to Mammalian Biology, hamsters are mostly victims of the mustelids, foxes, or birds’ food hunting. During their research, around 73% of the hamsters were killed by these large creatures.
Therefore, hamsters always remain very observant and scared of large animals and humans. In that case, you should learn first how to tame your hamster and what to do and not do with them.
However, your already-tamed pet hamster can also suddenly be scared of you. Either you have done something that scared them, or the environment is responsible.
Before moving to the reasons, let’s know first what do hamsters do when they are scared:
● Startled jump
● Teeth baring
● Bite
● freeze
● Tries to hide
● Aggression
● Muscle tremors
● Compulsive behavior
● Extreme salivation
Here Are the Common Reasons When a Tamed Hamster Starts Getting Afraid of Its Keeper:
![Here Are the Common Reasons When a Tamed Hamster Starts Getting Afraid of Its Keeper](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Here-Are-the-Common-Reasons-When-a-Tamed-Hamster-Starts-Getting-Afraid-of-Its-Keeper.jpg)
Holding Your Hamster Tightly
![Holding Your Hamster Tightly](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Holding-Your-Hamster-Tightly.jpg)
Hamsters are little creatures who move too fast and are super delicate. Hence, they are a little challenging to manage. If you hold them suddenly or pull them tightly while they want to escape for you, they’ll get scared of you.
In that case, you should train yourself first on how to hold a hamster and not to scare them.
When You Move Suddenly Around Them
As we mentioned above, hamsters are always alert to their surroundings; thus, your sudden moves can scare them easily. Plus, the height of humans can also be terrifying for hamsters since they’re so small that even your shadow can scare them.
When You Wake Them Up
Have you ever waked your hamster up from sleep during the day to play? Then you may have noticed that your hamster is scared and trying to run away from you. It may make you wonder why is my hamster suddenly scared of me.
This is because hamsters usually sleep throughout the day and stay awake at night. So when you wake them up from their premature sleep, it makes them feel threatened and scared.
Stressful Environment
Suppose you have never done the above things that may scare your hamster, but your hamster is still sacred of you. In that situation, you may ask why is my dwarf hamster so scared of me when I’m too gentle with them.
Hamsters can get afraid pretty easily in stressful environments, such as loud noises, bright lights, children, or the presence of other animals. That’s why you need to maintain peacefulness and quietness around hamsters.
Unpleasant Accidents
Hamster can remember their unpleasant accidents vividly. For example, since hamsters are challenging to manage, you may have dropped them while trying to take them in your lap or knocked them accidentally.
These incidents can temporarily make them lose their trust in you and be scared of you.
How To Gain Trust Of My Hamster?
![How To Gain Trust Of My Hamster](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-To-Gain-Trust-Of-My-Hamster.jpg)
Now you have the answer to your question, “why is my robo hamster so scared of me?”
No matter whether your already-tamed hamster or recently bought-in hamster is scared of you, you need to earn their trust to make them feel comfortable around you.
Here are some tips to win their trust:
Arrange A Large Cage
Hamsters prefer large spaces to run and enjoy their time. Also, small spaces trigger their stress and make them scared of their surroundings, including humans.
That’s why you should arrange a large cage with plenty of enrichments for your hamster to keep them happy.
Give Your Hamster Time To Adjust
New environments, faces, and smells can make a hamster afraid easily. You need to give your hamster time to ease its nervousness and feel safe.
In short, just leave it alone for a couple of days. Meanwhile, show your affection by serving food and building a peaceful environment.
Don’t Force To Interact And Let It Come To You
When your hamster has recently come home, or your old hamster got scared of you for some reason, you must let your pet come to you by itself.
You should never chase them or force them to interact with you as they can get too scared and bite you. Plus, high nervousness can kill a hamster too.
When it finally comes to you, be gentle and stretch your hands toward them slowly. No need to grab it to hold; it’ll come automatically when feeling safe.
Offer Treats By Hand
This method works like magic. Hamsters remember a place or people through their smell. So when you offer them their favorite treats by hand, they can quickly become familiar with your smell. It may take a few days to process the smell.
Your hamster may sniff your hand at first; don’t get scared and push them aggressively.
Moreover, hamsters respond positively when they’re offered fresh vegetables and fruits. In the beginning, serve them food in a bowl, then offer them treats by your hand once they get comfortable. No need to overdo this step.
Create A Routine And Stick To It
Hamsters are sensitive to frequent changes, which can cause a nerve-wracking situation for them. That’s why you should make cleaning up and changing the water a routine from the beginning.
At first, your hamster may react, but it’ll eventually get used to the routine and remember your presence as fresh food and water. This way, you can get close to your pet daily, and it’ll also understand that you’re not a threat to it.
Be Gentle
Once your hamster starts to trust you, it’ll come around you, won’t hide from you, and accepts foods from your hand. This time, you can pick them up gently, walk around them gently, and play with them to spend time together.
How Long Does It To Gain The Trust Of A Hamster?
![How Long Does It To Gain The Trust Of A Hamster](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-Long-Does-It-To-Gain-The-Trust-Of-A-Hamster.jpg)
By observing their behavior, you can easily understand when they are scared of you. With time and effort, you can surely gain their trust. However, there is no specific duration for how long the process may take, but it can take between 5 days to 6 weeks.
How To Know Your Hamster Is Happy With You?
![How To Know Your Hamster Is Happy With You](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-To-Know-Your-Hamster-Is-Happy-With-You.jpg)
Hamsters love receiving and providing affection. Once your hamster gets comfortable around you, it’ll automatically create a strong bond with you.
If you notice your hamster is running and playing around you, climbing on your feet, coming into your hand, and nudging you with its head, these signs are indications that your hamster is happy with you.
FAQs
Well, that was all regarding why your hamster is scared of you. However, here are some questions people often ask themselves or their close ones. They might be of help to you.
1. How Do You Tell A Hamster Is Stressed?
When a hamster is stressed, it’ll run quickly, try to climb the cage, hide, or try to bite its owner.
2. How Do I Make My Hamster Less Scared?
Make the surroundings of a hamster quiet and peaceful, offer them fresh fruits and a large space, and keep them away from new creatures.
3. Why Is My Hamster Sitting And Staring?
It’s a natural habit of hamsters who have poor eyesight. By staring, they’re trying to focus on its surrounding and smell instead of looking at something.
Conclusion
So you now know the answer to the question “why is my hamster so scared of me” and how to win their trust easily. The taming process of a scared hamster can be time-consuming, but the process is easy.
However, never be aggressive or punish them for biting you. Unlike other pet animals like dogs or cats, hamsters only get moody or misbehave when they’re scared.