The Russian dwarf hamster is among the most popular pet breeds, and people rightly don’t associate these hamsters with aggression. The furry balls of joy are loving and full of trust, and it’s only on rare occasions that they will use their incisors to attack. But what happens if your Russian dwarf hamster bites you?
If a Russian dwarf hamster bites you, wash the wound well with soap and water to remove dirt or bacteria that may have been on the animal’s teeth. Next, you should check how serious the injury is. If the teeth have cut through your skin, you may call your doctor to discuss getting a tetanus shot.
Keep reading to learn more about the behavior of hamsters and when and why they might bite. I will share the risks of getting bitten and what you can do at home to prevent wound infections.
What To Do if Your Hamster Bites You?
If your hamster bites you, you should first sanitize the wound. There are likely bacteria on the hamster’s teeth that could transfer to you. Seek immediate medical help if bleeding persists.
You should take the following steps if your Russian dwarf hamster bites you:
- Use clean water and soap to wash the wound. It might be painful, but the discomfort will not last more than a few seconds, which can help prevent complications.
- The deeper the wound is, the more likely you will need to apply some antibiotic ointment. You may need to treat bites internally since bacteria can go deep following a bite.
- Do not cover a deep wound. Instead, only cover the injury if it’s low risk for developing an infection or, in other words, if it’s shallow.
- Make sure to keep the wound clean at all times. Keeping the wound clean will help prevent infections from occurring later.
- Observe that it only takes one to two days for the wound to seal itself. You should notice a crust forming and less sensitivity to touch. If you don’t, then you’re not recovering properly.
- If you notice signs of swelling, redness, puss, or foul smell, seek medical help.
- If the hamster has bitten deep, you might need a tetanus shot. This advice is especially true if you haven’t received one in over ten years.
After taking care of the consequences of the hamster attack, you should deal with the potential causes. If the hamster is naturally calm and peaceful, you may need to take responsibility for your behavior. For example, you might have done something to cause its aggression.
Why Do Russian Dwarf Hamsters Bite?
Russian dwarf hamsters bite because they feel threatened or scared. They are likely used to the person immediately caring for them, but Hamsters might feel threatened if you unintentionally overhandle them.
There are some things you can do if your Russian dwarf hamster bites you to stop it from happening again. It’s important to recognize signs of aggression and change any behavior or conditions causing the biting.
How to Prevent Russian Dwarf Hamsters From Biting You
If your Russian dwarf hamster bites, try creating a petting routine since predictability keeps hamsters at ease. For example, hamsters might feel threatened if you improperly handle them or pet them the wrong way.
Also, they are likely used to the person immediately caring for them. Inviting guests who like playing with the pet without considering its emotions might get the hamster on edge, so if you notice this, you may want to limit contact with other people.
Russian dwarf hamsters are nocturnal animals, so they will likely feel drowsy during the day. Create a petting routine since predictability can keep hamsters at ease.
When handing the hamster over to children, you don’t want a child bitten by a hamster. To protect both sides, closely monitor child-hamster interactions, especially if there have been any cases of biting.
How to Handle a Hamster To Prevent Biting
Hamsters are pets that require little attention or handling. The best way to interact with your Russian dwarf hamster is to let it carry out its routine and watch it from a distance. When you pet your hamster, do it using the same time intervals. Being predictable will let the hamster know what to expect.
You should always pay attention to doing the following when holding your hamster:
- Hold the hamster with both hands to give them security. You should do this by cupping your hands. Holding it with only one hand may result in dropping the hamster or making it feel unstable.
- Hold the hamster gently, and never squeeze it tightly. Since Russian dwarf hamsters are tiny, they can easily be injured, so you need to hold them very gently.
- You can hold the hamster if its demeanor seems normal. It should be relaxed and not show signs of aggression.
- Never hold or place the hamster on elevated surfaces. If you put a hamster in these situations, it may feel scared and act unusually due to fear.
Specific hamster behavior is an indicator of fear and aggression. If you notice the following irritation signs, do not attempt to hold or pet the hamster, or you might get bitten:
- The hamster raises its front legs in a defensive position.
- It shows its teeth like it’s ready to attack.
- You hear hissing sounds coming from the hamster.
- The hamster is uncomfortable and squirmy or trying to escape.
- Laid-back ears indicate a state of disturbance compared to the normally perky ears.
Final thoughts
If you get bit by a Russian dwarf hamster, you should always wash your wound and keep it clean to prevent infections. Keep track of the healing process, and if you don’t notice signs of the wound closing up in 24 hours, you might seek medical advice and treatment. You can also treat it yourself or place a bandage on the wound if it’s a surface scratch.