Proper transport
If you buy a hamster, you logically have to bring it home in a container. Often you get a small cardboard box from the pet store.
Many hamster owners decry these cardboard boxes for a variety of reasons. For one, an active hamster (after all, you should pick it out at an active time) can quickly break out of the box. Hamsters are escape artists, and a thin cardboard box will hold them up for a long time, at least. On the other hand, you won’t have a view of your new rodent through a cardboard wall and will have a hard time assessing how he’s doing in his temporary prison. Moreover, if your hamster tries to escape, he may choke on the cardboard.
Complete rejection of these boxes is still inappropriate. However, a good tip is to take at least two people to the pet store. This allows one person to drive while the other keeps an eye on the hamster.
Of course there are also transport boxes that are suitable. However, you should pay attention to the size - boxes that are too large carry the risk that your rodent will be whirled through the box and injured if you drive fast.
To minimize the stress of the car ride, you should also take the most direct route home. Don’t stop at the grocery store or to visit your grandma - he direct route is the safest.
Arrive home
After the drive at the latest, your hamster will be extremely excited. Unfamiliar people, smells, surroundings and last but not least the car ride - especially the first hours are stressful.
Now comes the hardest part: ignore your hamster. Yes, this is serious.
Your hamster needs rest to get used to the new home and unfamiliar surroundings. Place the cage in a quiet room for the first few days, cover it with a thin cloth and allow it to rest. Don’t be tempted to check on your hamster - and be especially careful with children.
Replenish water and food regularly, but give your hamster three to five days.
Getting used to you
Your hamster has had three to five days to himself? Then you can now start getting him used to you. Be sure to wash your hands before approaching your rodent. Hamsters recognize you by your smell, so don’t cover it up with food or perfume. Wash your hands with clean water, without perfumed soap.
Start by standing in front of the cage and talking quietly to your new roommate. This will allow a hamster to become accustomed to your voice and presence.
Depending on the hamster breed, you can then try taking some food pointedly between two fingers and giving the food directly. Why depending on the hamster breed? With golden hamsters you will be able to feed food directly from your hand much easier than with dsungars. Especially very small hamster species are known to be rather critical towards humans and tend to avoid direct contact.
If you pay attention to all these things, within a week you should have a hamster that is used to its environment and your presence. From now on you can proceed with further taming.