how to make a hamster cuddly

5 Steps To A Cuddly Hamster! How To Make A Hamster Cuddly?

In Hamsters by Ana M

Hamsters are known for being adorable. However, they are not typically the most social of creatures. In fact, hamsters are solitary animals and can live alone in comparison to other rodents. Also, hamsters are perfect pets for families who often go away for a weekend. Click here to find out why!

Though it’s incredibly tempting to hold them every moment we can, there are some steps to take to make your hamster as comfortable with cuddling as possible. To train your hamster to cuddle, you need to have the proper setup, use healthy and tasty treats, to start slow, be consistent, and give your hamster exercise.

In this blog post I will share the exact steps to make any hamster cuddly!

Step #1 – Have the proper hamster cage setup

One of the best things you can do to make your hamster more likely to cuddle with you is making sure that its cage has all of the essentials to make your furry friend happy and healthy.

If you’ve got a grumpster on your hands, it’s likely it will have zero interest in cuddling and may even turn to biting to let you know. You need to have a proper cage, water and food bowls or dispensers, and bedding.

Let’s talk cages!

While flashy cages with tunnels and obstacles might look great, they are often too busy for the average hamster. Hamsters spend much of their time sleeping, and since they are nocturnal, it’s likely you won’t even witness their activities. So, having a cage with the essentials is more than enough.

The AmazonBasics Small Animal Cage comes with some of the other basics you’ll need for your hamster, making this cage a budget-friendly option for your hamster’s new home. Not only does this cage come with a non-drip water bottle, a balcony with a ramp, and a food dish, it comes with a 1-year warranty.

For a more upscale cage, consider the Prevue Universal Small Animal Home. This cage features a deep bottom and an elevated level, so your hamster would have plenty of room to explore. Two large entry doors will make cuddling time a breeze once your hamster is trained!

Step #2 – Provide quality water and food

Providing high-quality food and fresh water to your pet is key to its happiness.

Healthy hamster = cuddly hamster. 

Give your pet high-quality food, like Wild Harvest and Kaytee Fiesta hamster and gerbil foods. They are high in protein but also provide vitamins and nutrients from fruits and veggies. Also, hamsters should always have access to fresh water.

Traditionally, food and water bowls are separate units. For a water dispenser, I recommend the Niteangel Water Bottle stand. This water dispenser has everything your hamster could need!

The bamboo material was built without nails, which makes it extra safe for your hamster. Besides, the stand is adjustable by height. Lastly, the stand comes with a glass water bottle.

how to make a cuddly hamster

Every hamster owner knows that these furry creatures transport their food bowls to wherever they want them and tip them over. Which is super annoying. However, I found two options that will help keep your hamster’s food bowl in place.

The Living World Ergonomic food dish is a great choice as it’s made of a heavier material that hamsters won’t be able to move. In addition, this ceramic bowl is slanted, which makes it easier for your hamster to get to their food.

Another option is the STAYbowl Tip-Proof pet bowl which is tip-proof and will keep your hamster’s food from going into the bedding and being wasted. The material is also easy to clean and hinders bacterial growth.

While you can buy water dispensers and food bowls separately, you can also get two-in-one food and water dispensers that are perfect for your hamster’s cage. The Guardians hamster water bottle and food container is a good option if you’re looking for one item to clean.

Step #3 – Get comfortable bedding

Bedding for your hamster is very important for their comfort. It is a vital part of creating a cozy and secure home for your pet. In a comfortable surrounding your hamster is more likely to cuddle. While there are many options out there, Kaytee Clean & Cozy bedding is an excellent choice.

It is very absorbent and controls odor in addition to being soft and comfortable. If you’re looking for a more colorful option that will keep your hamster’s cage clean and fresh smelling, the Carefresh Small Pet bedding may be the right one for you and your pet.

Once you’ve got your hamster set up in its new cage, it’s important to let it get used to the new surrounding. It’s important for your pet to be comfortable, so you should consider not handling him or her until they are adjusted.

Step #4 – Leave your hamster alone for some time

Now that you have the cage and surrounding arranged in the best way possible, don’t rush to pet your hamster straight away. Your pet will need a little time to adjust to the new cage.

If you start to handle your hamster while it is still adjusting, it will make your pet frightened more easily. As a result, hamster feels anxious when back into the cage. The best thing you can do is, after a few days, introduce your hamster to your hand.

Don’t try to pick up your hamster yet! Instead, let it get used to the smell of your hands.

Start giving your pet treats to break the ice. It’s a perfect opportunity to figure out what treats your hamster likes. Put a treat in the palm of your hand, and eventually, your hamster will crawl into your hand. As your hamster starts getting more comfortable, you can start holding it for short periods of time.

Step #5 – Use healthy treats!

When you start training your hamster to cuddle, you’ll need to entice it with a tasty and healthy treat. The process might take a long time, so it’s important to give your pet healthy treats to avoid weight gain and other health issues.

You may choose to feed your hamster natural foods like corn or carrots, but you can also choose pre-packaged treats as well. These Kaytee Blueberry and Yogurt snacks are good choices as they provide antioxidants.

Like with many other rodents, when your hamster does something you want him or her to do, give it a treat. As you start to handle your hamster and it sits calmly in your hand, then give a treat. Treats will be a big part of the hamster training process.

Step #6 – Give your hamster exercise

Hamsters need a lot of exercises to stay healthy and happy. Without being active, hamsters can quickly become overweight. That is why knowing how much should your hamster weight is very important. One of the best ways to make a hamster lose weight is getting an exercise wheel.

There are many great options out there. However, you should make sure that the wheels don’t have any holes in the bottom of the wheel. These are marketed for breathability, but your hamster’s little toes can get stuck.

Moreover, because hamsters sometimes choose to chew on items in their cage, it’s best to find wheels that are made of natural or incredibly durable material.

The Petzilla Quiet Hamster Exercise wheel is adorable and practical. It is made of wood and meant to be noise-free. It’s removable, comes in a variety of colors, and is easy to clean as well. This wheel comes with a stand, but it can also attach to a cage.

In addition to allowing your hamster to exercise with its hamster wheel, there are a couple of other choices. You can also get your hamster used to be out of its cage with a hamster ball. For example, the Kaytee Run-About hamster exercise ball is a great choice.

You may also use pet playpens, like the GABraden playpen, to give your hamster some room to roam. Once your hamster has exercised, it will be more docile, tired, and more likely to cuddle!

Step #7 – Stay Consistent!

Once your hamster gets used to sitting in your hand or coming out of the cage for short periods, you need to keep the ball rolling. It’s important to keep handling your hamster every day.

You may choose to do smaller sessions throughout the day, or you may choose to do one longer session. Either way, make sure that you are consistent, and you have your hamster’s favorite treats ready.

To sum up, make sure your small pet has a cozy home with all of the essentials. From there, be patient, start slow, and be consistent. Using all of these tips, you’ll be cuddling with your hamster in no time!

Hope that you found this post useful 🙂

Today’s question to fellow hamster owners:

Does your hamster like to cuddle?

Let me know in the comments section down below!