Why won't my new hamster let me hold or pet him? How can I earn trust?

Question

I was wondering I had my hamster for a week now and he won’t let me hold him still. Also when I try to pet him he jumps. I was wondering why of this. Is he untamable does he not like me? Pet's info: Small Animal | Unknown - Small Animal | Male | unneutered | 7 days old

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM · Accepted Answer

You have only had him for a week. You need to be patient, let him smell your hand/finger, pet him a little , let him climb on your hand, rather than forcing him to be on your hand by picking him up. It will take time before he trusts you, It can take 2 months before he is comfortable with you picking him up. Put yourself in his place: You are a terribly big human trying to grab a tiny animal,... that is very very scary. You need to gain his trust,

Why won't my new hamster let me hold or pet him? How can I earn trust?

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