Hamsters can bite people. The main reasons why hamsters bite people include the following points:
Self-protection: Hamsters are rather timid animals. When they feel threatened, they will bite people out of self-protection.
Anger: If the owner plays with the hamster for too long, the hamster may become impatient and angry, and thus bite people.
Being Startled: When a hamster is suddenly touched while it is sleeping or eating, it may bite people out of fright.
Territorial Awareness: Hamsters have a strong sense of territory. If there is the smell of other hamsters on your hands, or if you invade its territory, the hamster will bite you.
Mistaking Food: Hamsters have poor eyesight. Sometimes they may mistake the owner's finger for food and bite it.
Special Periods: During special periods such as pregnancy and lactation, the temper of hamsters will be relatively irritable, and they are prone to biting people.
Illness: A sick hamster doesn't like to be disturbed and may bite people due to discomfort.
How to Avoid Being Bitten by Hamsters
Get Familiar with the Hamster's Temper: For a hamster that has just arrived home, you need to observe its temper first and cultivate a relationship with it.
Reduce Handling during Special Periods: Try to reduce handling the hamster when it is sleeping, eating, pregnant, lactating, or sick.
Alert the Hamster: Call the hamster's name before handling it to let it know that it's the owner.
Train the Hamster: Let the hamster know whether what reaches into the cage is food or a hand to avoid misjudgment.
Keep Fingers Together: When you put your fingers together on your hand, it can prevent the hamster from biting by mistake.
Measures for Handling after Being Bitten by a Hamster
Mild Bite: If the wound doesn't bleed or there is just a slight bruise, you can just wash the wound with soapy water.
Bleeding Wound: Immediately place the wound under running water and rinse it for 5 to 10 minutes, and then wash and disinfect it with soap.
Severe Situation: If the wound shows symptoms such as swelling, redness, or other discomforts, you should seek medical attention immediately.