Syrian hamsters make fantastic companions and are pretty docile compared to the dwarf species. Once tamed, they enjoy being held, and although they take a while to tame, they stop biting during the process. Even when they bite, it’s usually due to fear or mistaking your fingers for food and not out of aggression.
Syrian hamster bites aren’t dangerous, but they are painful. Their long, sharp teeth can puncture the skin, causing wounds and drawing blood. Additionally, the lacerations can sometimes be infected due to the bacteria.
After interacting with a Syrian hamster or keeping one, you want to ensure its bite won’t cause severe problems. The rest of this article will discuss what happens if your Syrian hamster bites you, what you can do, and how to check for an infection.
What Happens if a Syrian Hamster Bites You?
Most of the time, nothing happens when a Syrian hamster bites you. The bites are often superficial, although they can occasionally cause an infection. You only need to disinfect the wound with water and an antibacterial agent, bandage it if it’s bleeding, and monitor it for any signs of infection.
Although Syrian hamsters bite less, their bite hurts more than dwarf hamsters because they are larger, and their sharp, pointy teeth can cause puncture wounds. You should apply pressure to stop any severe bleeding. It’s also critical to see a doctor if the bite is near a significant artery or in a sensitive area.
A Syrian hamster bite doesn’t pose severe medical concerns for most people. However, people with a weakened immune system or diabetes have a higher risk of complications. Therefore, you should see a doctor if you’re at risk of developing an infection from a Syrian hamster bite.
Are Syrian Hamster Bites Infectious?
Syrian hamster bites are often superficial but can sometimes puncture the skin and cause deep wounds. Infection is caused by bacteria on your skin or the hamster’s mouth. Although rare, a Syrian hamster can infect you with:
It’s usually enough to disinfect the wound and dress it, although you can let it heal without a bandage. However, visiting the doctor is advisable, especially if your last tetanus shot was over five years ago. You might also need antibiotics to prevent infections depending on where the hamster came from, such as abandoned or street rescue hamsters.
Treating Syrian hamster bites yourself usually works, but you should seek treatment if you notice the following signs and symptoms of an infection:
- Swelling around the bite area
- Pain that goes for longer than a day
- Numbness in the hands or fingers
- Redness
- Pus
- Fever
- Chills
- Drowsiness or confusion
- A stiff neck
What To Do After a Syrian Hamster Bites You
Syrian hamsters bite humans when they feel threatened. If a Syrian hamster is biting you, loud noises and sudden or sharp movements will only scare it. Therefore, it’ll likely retaliate by biting more or harder.
Here’s what to do if a Syrian hamster has bitten you:
- Lower the hamster gently into the cage. Screaming or shaking your hand will agitate the hamster, and it will bite harder.
- Clean the wound with an antibacterial agent and water.
- Pat the wound dry with a pad of tissues or a clean towel, but not anything fluffy like cotton wool.
- Cover the injured area with a loose bandage or band-aid.
- Monitor the wound to check for signs of infection.
- Visit a doctor if necessary.
How To Prevent a Syrian Hamster Bite
You can do several things to protect yourself from a Syrian hamster bite. These include:
- Tame the hamster: Syrian hamsters need time and effort to build trust but don’t need intensive training. They only need to be familiar with your body scent/odor.
- Be patient: Give your new Syrian hamster enough time to adapt to its new environment. Let him know you before you start playing with him.
- Wash your hands: Make sure you clean your hands thoroughly before handling a Syrian hamster. Washing will remove unfamiliar smells that may trigger biting, and your hands won’t smell like food.
- Be gentle: Instead of surprising the hamster, allow him to see you approach and smell your hand. Offer a treat for the hamster to climb onto your hand before gently lifting him.
- Move slowly: Avoid quick or sudden movements that can startle your Syrian hamster because they have poor eyesight.
- Hold with both hands: Always hold and support a Syrian hamster with both hands to avoid dropping them. They’ll also feel secure and relaxed.
- Provide a spacious home: Provide your Syrian hamster with enough space and toys to roam, run, and play. A small cage will make the hamster feel trapped, and he will become aggressive.
- Wear protective gloves: Wear thick gloves before touching your hamster so you don’t get hurt if he bites. It’s best to use construction or garner gloves because they’re thick, and avoid plastic ones because the hamster can get sick if he bites them.
Final Thoughts
Syrian hamsters are generally docile and rarely attack humans. However, they can bite when they feel threatened.
Fortunately, Syrian hamster bites are rarely dangerous and can often be treated at home. If the injury is more severe, a doctor can prescribe antibiotics and a tetanus shot to keep infections at bay.