How to Stop a Dwarf Hamster from Biting

• 1

  Adjust your dwarf hamster to its surroundings. If you have recently purchased the hamster and brought it into your home, it may still be frightened from the move. This may make your hamster more nervous and defensive, and therefore more likely to bite. Give the hamster some space. Leave it alone without trying to handle it, but visit it and speak to it throughout the day. Make sure there are no loud noises or other disturbances in the room where you keep the hamster.

• 2

  Try to handle your dwarf hamster only when it accepts your attention. If it acts aggressively when you try to pet it, remove your hand from the cage and leave it alone. Wait until your dwarf hamster approaches your hand without fear or aggression to hold it. Your pet will be the least likely to bite you after it has become comfortable around you.

• 3

  Approach your hamster carefully. Don't surprise your hamster when you attempt to handle it. Try stroking your hamster gently while it sleeps without jostling it awake. Do not intentionally wake up your hamster to handle it, as this might upset it and cause it to bite you. Also, don't pick up your hamster from behind or from above, as any sudden or unexpected handling might upset it and cause it to bite you.

• 4

  Offer your dwarf hamster a treat such as a piece of fruit or a vegetable before attempting to handle it. Hold the treat in your hand and see if the hamster will allow you to pet it before giving it the treat. Do this regularly, but not so often that you are over-feeding your pet.

• 5

  Wash your hands with soap and water before every attempt to handle your dwarf hamster when you are not offering it food. You may have food smells on your hand, which can cause your pet to mistake your fingers for a treat, resulting in biting .

• 6

  Handle your dwarf hamster on a daily basis once it has become accustomed to being held. If you neglect your hamster, it may fall back into more aggressive behavior, meaning you will have to try to socialize it again.

• 7

  Wear gardening gloves if you have to pick up and carry an aggressive hamster in an emergency situation. Use your gloves to direct or place your hamster into a container such as a mug or a measuring cup to safely handle your dwarf hamster. This will prevent your pet from biting you, and you won't have to worry about keeping a firm hold on your dwarf hamster's body.

• 8

  Take your dwarf hamster to the vet if it shows signs of lethargy, decreased appetite or other signs of illness. Aggression as well as other symptoms may indicate a more serious illness.