Baby hamsters are born naturally curious and they are not really sure what to make of a human being. They often will roll over on their backs and squeak if confronted with a hand when very young or push your hand with their paws and run away. They need to learn that humans will not hurt them and in turn that it is ok for them to be nice and friendly and NOT bite! You can start socializing baby hamsters at 10 days of age if the mother will allow it. If she will not allow you near them. Do not worry. They can still be socialized right when they wean at 18 days to 21 days. (Anytime up until 4 weeks is the most ideal time frame as they are much more likely to bite you hard when taming them at an older age).

I usually socialize my babies by putting them in a big tub if they are not already in one and I place my hand in a loosely balled fist, palm down. The babies almost immediately run up and start to nibble on my hand or punch it with their paws.Some will bite, but most go from nibbling to trying to climb up my hand and then arm. Once they get past nibbling and start climbing I gently pet each hamster while they are in my hand. Before I stop socializing them I pick up each baby and gently pet it while it is cupped in BOTH of my hands. Making a little cave with your hands will make them feel more secure. It is important to hold the babies over something low and soft (I use the bin with shredded paper) because if they are at all frightened they will think nothing of jumping out of your hand, quicker than you can catch them.

It really is best to start with a loosely balled hand when you start socializing babies for a reason. Most dwarf hamsters have a preference for biting finger tips and especially finger nails so if these are protected, you will suffer less injury in the process! Once they get used to you you can offer the back of your hand and palm up. Just watch and gently push a baby away if it starts to really bite hard.

There may be a few babies that are born aggressive. Most of these you can tame with patience but some are born mean and will stay that way. These are usually the hamsters that grow up to attack people or who are violently aggressive towards other hamsters. For this reason, it is better to house such a hamster alone if he starts to bother his cagemates. If you handle the babies once or twice a day and put your hand in the cage for maybe 15 minutes each evening starting at 3 weeks of age, almost all the babies will be tame by the time you find them homes at 4 weeks of age (or older). For the most part, this type of socializing results in adult hamsters that stay sweet even if not handled for a few days.