Hamster care for kids · 3 min read
How to hold a hamster
Hamsters are small and quick. Holding one is easy when you go slow.
Step by step
- Wash your hands. Hamsters bite fingers that smell like food.
- Sit on the floor. If he wriggles and falls, it is a tiny drop.
- Wait until he is awake and walking about. Never wake him up.
- Make a cup with two hands. Slide them under his tummy and scoop.
- Keep him low, close to your lap. Let him walk from hand to hand.
- Put him back after a minute or two, or when he tries to leave.
Things that scare a hamster
- Hands coming from above, like a hawk.
- Being squeezed. Hold him like a soft egg.
- Loud voices and sudden moves.
- Being woken up. A sleepy hamster may nip.
- Being held high up. Hamsters cannot see far and may jump.
Let him choose
Sit quietly with a grown-up beside you.
Offer your open hands and let him decide.
If he walks away, try another evening.
What if he bites?
A nip means "I am scared" or "you smell like a snack".
Do not shout. Do not drop him. Put him back gently.
Try again another day. Go slower. Sit still and let him come to you.
Potato's quick quiz
True or false? Tap to see the answer.
You should wake a hamster up to hold him.
Nope. Never wake a hamster. Wait until he is up and about in the evening.
Sitting on the floor is the safest way to hold a hamster.
True! If he jumps, it is only a small drop.
A tight grip keeps a hamster safe.
Nope. Hold him loosely, like a soft egg.
Questions kids ask
Does my hamster like being held?
Some do, a bit. Most like short visits. Watch him: if he tries to leave, put him back.
Why does my hamster run away from my hand?
He is scared. Keep your hand still and let him come to you.
Can I hold my hamster in bed?
Only with a grown-up nearby, and never near a gap he could fall into.