Do Hamsters Like Being Held?

Hamsters are adorable, there is no denying it, and if you are an animal lover, you will want to cuddle with your little furry friend. Not all hamsters are the same, though. Some might even bite or jump when you pick them up, which might make you wonder whether hamsters like being held at all.

Tame hamsters who have bonded with their owners will enjoy being held. Hamsters not used to being held might get anxious, causing them to bite or jump out of your hands to try and escape. Hamsters are prey animals and naturally skittish, so they require training and constant handling.

In this article, we will take a look at the different types of hamsters and how they tolerate being held. So, if you want a tiny new companion to cuddle with, read on!

Do Dwarf Hamsters Like To Be Held?

Dwarf hamsters don’t like being held unless they have been tamed. They get scared easily and may even bite you if they feel anxious or threatened.

Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamsters are tiny, only growing between 2 and 3 inches (5.08 and 7.62 cm). They get along with other hamsters of their kind and make good pets, but they are more difficult to tame than Syrian hamsters and Chinese dwarf hamsters.

Chinese dwarf hamsters are slightly bigger, reaching up to 4 inches (10.16 cm). These hamsters have tons of energy but can be tamed to become comfortable with being held. Because of their high energy and the fact that they are natural jumpers, it is necessary to provide them with lots of fun activities.

You can get this Niteangel Hamster Exercise Wheel (available on Amazon.com) to ensure your hamster has a fun way to get rid of all of his excess energy. The wheel is silent, so your little fur buddy can run as much as he wants without disturbing your sleep. You can easily adjust the wheel’s height so no matter which hamster you have, they can easily and safely get in and out of it.

Do Syrian Hamsters Like To Be Held?

Syrian hamsters like to be held. They are usually docile and friendly little creatures. They are not social with other hamsters and can form strong bonds with their owners.

Syrian hamsters are the biggest and friendliest hamsters and make the best pets out of all the hamster species. A Syrian hamster is the best option when buying a hamster for a child.

You will still need to tame and train your Syrian hamster, just like any other hamster, but it will be much easier.

All hamsters are different, though. They have their own personalities, and some will be friendlier than others, regardless of their species. It is essential to get to know your hamster so that you can learn what their likes and dislikes are.

Do Long-Haired Hamsters Like To Be Held?

Long-haired hamsters do not like being held but can learn to tolerate it. They get stressed quickly, and being held does not feel natural to them.

Long-haired hamsters are more prone to disease and high-stress levels, so they need extra care and attention. These hamsters are not recommended for first-time owners or children.

They make excellent pets, though, and are beautiful. Just be patient when taming them so they can form a bond with you and learn to trust you.

Do Robo Dwarf Hamsters Like To Be Held?

Robo dwarf hamsters need a lot of training to get used to being held. They scare easily and might bite or jump out of your hands. Once tamed, Robo dwarf hamsters can get used to being held, and some might even like it.

These hamsters are the smallest breed and only grow up to 2 inches ( 5.08 cm). They are super fast, have endless energy, and get stressed easily. Because of this, they need a lot of training and patience. If they feel threatened when you hold them, they will jump out of your hands and try to escape, which isn’t difficult considering their size.

Robo hamsters are tiny, which makes them super adorable, but they are not the best pets for children or anybody who doesn’t have the time or patience to tame them.

Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Like To Be Held?

Teddy Bear hamsters like being held and will form a strong bond with their owner if tamed from a young age. Teddy Bear hamsters are the same species as Syrian hamsters and have the same traits.

Teddy bear hamsters are popular pets, and for a good reason. They are the sweetest little creatures, and it is entirely understandable why you would want to hold them and cuddle with them.

They are friendly and enjoy the company of their owners. They are also curious but can get scared or anxious easily, so giving them a safe environment to live in and explore is important.

Do Winter White Hamsters Like To Be Held?

Winter White hamsters don’t like being held but will tolerate it once they trust you. They can be tamed, but you will have to handle them often so that they learn to feel comfortable.

These tiny hamsters are lovely and unique with their coat that changes to white during the winter. Like other dwarf hamsters, they have a lot of energy and can scare easily. They are, however, easier to tame than other dwarf hamsters and make fantastic pets.

How do Hamsters Like To Be Held?

Hamsters like to be held securely by somebody who has formed a bond with them. Hold your hamster with two hands. If they trust you, hold them against your chest while stroking them gently on their back.

Here are some easy instructions you can follow to ensure your hamster gets used to being held as fast as possible:

Before holding your hamster, always make sure to wash your hands. If you have touched other pets or chemicals, the scent can scare them, and if you have touched food, they might mistake your fingers for a snack.
Talk to them in a soft voice before picking them up. This will help them know you’re there. Hamsters don’t have good eyesight, so they rely heavily on their other senses.
Place your hand in front of your hamster inside its cage. Let your hamster smell your hand. This will help them get used to your scent.
Lure your hamster onto your hand with a treat. Make sure to use healthy treats.
Once your hamster gets onto your hand by himself, you can gently pick him up using both hands. Cup your hands around your hamster so that he doesn’t fall out but don’t close your hands around him completely.
Move slowly while holding your hamster, and never lift them too high from the ground. It is best to sit on a soft surface while handling your hamster.
Do not scare your hamster by allowing too much activity around him while he is out of his cage. If you have other pets, make sure you are in a room where they can’t come in.
Be patient with your hamster. Give them lots of healthy treats and soft cuddles so that they can bond with you.

If you follow these instructions and handle your hamster at least once a day, preferably in the evening, your hamster will get used to being held and might even learn to like it.

Here is a fun YouTube video showing how to tame your hamster.

Final Thoughts

Some hamsters like to be held, while others might only tolerate or even dislike it. Just like humans, hamsters have their own personalities, and not two of them are exactly the same, even when they are the same species.

The best thing you can do is to be patient while taming your hamster and observe his behavior. If your hamster is relaxed while you hold him, it means that he likes it, whereas if your hamster bites or jumps out of your hands, he does not like being held or might just need more training.