Do Hamsters Like to Be Picked Up? How to Hold a Hamster

Generally, no. Most hamsters would rather not be held, since they’re small prey animals who are frightened when we touch them or reach out to handle them, says Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, a veterinary behaviorist and the founder of Behavior Solutions in Ashburn, Virginia.  

To enjoy being held and petted, hamsters need to gradually get used to it and associate it with being a pleasant experience that doesn’t frighten them. 

“Hamsters are like any pet—some want our time and attention, and others are happy co-existing,” says Veronica Chavira, founder of Chip’s Hamster Sanctuary in La Puente, California. 

“[The more social ones] come out of hiding when they hear your voice, and some even start scratching on the enclosure wall, wanting to get out for playtime,” she adds.  

Other hamsters might prefer to be admired from afar. Maybe they quickly disappear into their igloo when you enter the room. The hamster community affectionately calls these “ghost” hamsters, Chavira says. 

If that describes your hamster, consider setting up a pet camera to watch them run around in their habitat when you’re not around, Chavira says.  

It’s Important to remember, though, that even shy hamsters need supervised time outside their enclosure for mental and physical enrichment.  

Gaining your hamster’s trust is crucial for happy handling.  

Here are some tips: 

• Wait for them to be active (usually at night) and willing to engage on their own. Never wake up a sleeping hamster. 
• Move slowly. 
• Let them sniff and investigate your hands without making attempts to pick them up. 
• Let them approach you for a treat, which helps them make a positive association with your hands. 

Ideally, hamsters should be handled as much as possible when they’re 2–4 weeks old so they get used to human touch, Chavira says. 

Playtime outside of your hamster’s enclosure is not only essential but also a great way to build trust. Set up a playpen with a towel, a wheel (made of solid material), water, and other sources of safe entertainment. They also need a hideout to give them a safe place to escape. (Make sure the playpen’s gaps are not wide enough for your hamster to get stuck or sneak through.)  

“When you start taking them out for playtime, they will start correlating your voice and your scent with playtime and will be more willing to come out of hiding,” Chavira says. 

Your hamster will make it clear if they’d like to be held or not. 

These signs indicate your hamster doesn’t want to be held: 

• Backing away 
• Hiding when they see you 
• Darting around the enclosure when you try to pick them up 
• Urinating and pooping 
• Vocalizing (squeaking, hissing, or crying out) 
• Biting 
• Punching with their front legs 

Earning your hamster’s trust is a big step in helping them become more accustomed to being handled. 

These signs suggest that your pint-sized pal wants to be held: 

• Approaching you 
• Sniffing you 
• Following your movements 
• Rubbing up against your hand 
• Hopping into your palm 
• Taking treats from you 

Once you’re sure your hamster is open to interaction (and they’re definitely awake), it’s time to handle them. For most hamsters, handling will be necessary for transferring them from one place to another.  

Always work close to the floor to prevent any injuries if they were to fall from your hand.  

1. Wash your hands with soap and water. 
2. Use either your hands or a large cup or mug to pick them up. The cup or mug option is best for shy hamsters, as it also allows them to safely jump in so you can take them out of their enclosure. 
3. Put hamster-safe food or treats on your hand or in the cup. Try Science Selective Naturals apple treats or SunGrow timothy hay chew treats. 
4. Let your hamster come to you. Don’t force the interaction, since this can cause them to be scared and may diminish trust. If they won’t come to you, leave them alone and continue to work on patiently gaining trust.   
5. If you’re using your hand, stick out your palm and let your hamster jump onto it. Then cup both hands around the sides of your hamster and scoop them up. Make sure they’re secure with one hand wrapped around their torso—but not too tight. Avoid placing your fingertips in front of your hamster’s mouth. 
6. If you’re using a cup, let them walk into the cup on their own and slowly lift them out of their enclosure while they’re in it, taking care that they cannot jump out.  
7. Transfer your hamster to a safe enclosed space for supervised playtime. 

Do hamsters like to be held or pet? 

Whether a hamster likes to be held or pet depends on the individual hamster. Hamsters are prey animals who are instinctively afraid of being handled, so pet parents have to help their hamster become more accustomed to being pet so they have a positive association with it. 

Are hamsters affectionate? 

Some hamsters can be affectionate, but not all. If your hamster doesn’t want to be held or snuggled, try to respect their space. 

How often should you hold your hamster? 

At first, try to hold your hamster every day so they get used to you and your scent. However, if they don’t like being held, do it only when needed, such as taking them out of their enclosure for playtime.  

Do hamsters bite when you pick them up? 

Possibly. Hamsters can bite when you pick them up if they feel threatened, or if your hand smells like food and they mistakenly take a nibble. If you happen to get bitten, wash your hands with antibacterial soap and place a bandage on the bite.