Handling and Restraint (Part II)

Handling and Restraint

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Handling and Restraint (Part II)

·                     Picking up

·                     One-hand Grasp

·                     Use of container

·                     Two-hand carry

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Handling reminder (3)

Hamsters handled frequently from a very young age usually remain docile and rarely bite. Those with docile temperaments and a history of not biting can simply be picked up by using one or both hands, and then held in both hands or in one hand held against the body. (1)

Many hamsters develop untrustworthy personalities and begin to bite because they have been handled roughly or suddenly disturbed or awakened. (1)

Hamsters whose personalities are not well known must always be approached cautiously. A glove or small towel can be used to pick up these hamsters, or the animals can be encouraged to crawl into a small container, which is

then removed from their enclosure. Unknown hamsters and those known to bite can also be picked up and restrained by grasping a large amount of skin behind the head. As much skin as possible should be grasped between the thumb and index and middle fingers because their skin is so very loose. In fact, hamsters can literally turn nearly all the way around within their skins and bite a handler if this caution is not heeded! (1)

Picking up

There are several ways to pick up and manipulate hamsters, but it is important not to surprise or startle them prior to handling. As demonstrated in these

pictures, an effective method for firm restraint is to place a hamster on a flat surface and cover it with the palm of the hand with the thumb near the hamster's head. Grasp the loose skin over the back firmly and lift.

The hamster will be securely held with the skin taut over the abdomen and chest. Its eyes may appear to bulge when the skin of the head and neck is grasped firmly, but this technique is not painful or harmful. (2)

One-hand Grasp

An effective method for firm restraint is to place the hamster on a flat surface and cover it with your palm with the thumb near the hamster's head. Slowly close the hand allowing the loose skin to bunch, as shown here. You will be grasping the skin, not the body of the hamster.(13)

One-hand grasp and picking-up techniques (13) 

Use of container

For short transfers, for example, from one cage to another, a 500 ml plastic beaker or similarly sized container may be used, as long as it does not have sharp edges and can be sanitized.(13)

Two-hand carry

The image below shows another form of handling for a short transfer, the two-handed carry.(13)

Use of container and two-hand carry techniques (13) 

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