Henry

I got a pretty good nip from Henry after food & play time. Not sure why but he gave my finger enough of a chomp to draw blood. He was excited as always to play with his treat ball and get a couple of seeds off my hand. It seems unusual after this much time together, possibly his teeth are overgrown? He's been very friendly and talkative the past two weeks, and I don't think my hands smelled of anything. Also very possible I've simply been interacting with him too much.
 
I wouldn’t over think it, if you’d been interacting with him too much I’m sure he’d let you know with some behavioural changes, there’s no reason to think his teeth might be over grown the way he eats fine & goes at those treat balls.
It just happens sometimes, he may have been able to smell something on your hand that you wouldn’t even notice possibly, anyway unless he shows signs that somethings wrong don’t worry about it.
 
He got me good again this morning, broke the skin on my pinky. He's as excited as ever for treats and came out when he heard me this morning. Friendly until he's done with his treat.

Regular Morning
Bites

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Think I figured it out, Henry is now territorial over his enclosure. I tried again when he came back out and more bites. Offered his taxi and he was sweet as ever on the bed. Climbed all over my hand and gave me licks. We will have to do our interactions on neutral ground now.

Henry has also been burrowing deeper and spending more time underground. He hasn't been spending as much time on the surface. It still seems weird, up for any advice.
 
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I think hamsters can get very territorial about their cage/enclosure and maybe it was just beginning to irritate him a bit having a hand in there. It's great he was sweet out of the cage. Had he just woken up by any chance when the bites happened? That's another time it can happen - it's their protective instinct, if not quite a wake.

It is horrible, I know, as Raffy used to bite when I first got him and you think - urgh that hamster doesn't like me. But he doesn't do it any more - he also didn't like a hand in his playpen but was fine on the sofa.
 
Maz said:
I think hamsters can get very territorial about their cage/enclosure and maybe it was just beginning to irritate him a bit having a hand in there. It's great he was sweet out of the cage. Had he just woken up by any chance when the bites happened? That's another time it can happen - it's their protective instinct, if not quite a wake.

It is horrible, I know, as Raffy used to bite when I first got him and you think - urgh that hamster doesn't like me. But he doesn't do it any more - he also didn't like a hand in his playpen but was fine on the sofa.
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He did come out the second he sensed me leaving my room. It's weird as he's still so eager for treats and playtime. He comes over and still takes them from my hand + plays just fine, it's just at the end he goes for bites deliberately.

It feels like I've had him forever, but it's just coming up on his 3rd month. I'm going to give him some extra space this week and if he asks for ups again will try it in the bedroom.
 
I am guessing he just does not want your hand in his cage but he cannot resist his treats. It is a great idea to give him treats on neutral ground. Henry looked very happy to take treats from you and then cheekily said go away!

Aw, 3 months is no time at all. I also thought you had Henry for longer. :)
 
It could be that he’s getting a bit territorial over his cage, in the video it just looks like he’s looking for more treats! Sometimes they have little phases of biting & then just stop again, I’ve never had a male Russian get really territorial, only female.
Giving him a break from your hand in the cage certainly won’t hurt anyway.
It does seem like a lot longer than 3 months, you have such a great bond it does just seem like you’ve been together forever!
I think the burrowing more & spending less time on the surface is just natural behaviour, maybe overall it’s just more mature, adult type behaviour.
 
RainbowBrite said:
I am guessing he just does not want your hand in his cage but he cannot resist his treats. It is a great idea to give him treats on neutral ground. Henry looked very happy to take treats from you and then cheekily said go away!

Aw, 3 months is no time at all. I also thought you had Henry for longer. :)
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Sure seems like it. I tempted fate, Henry came out when he heard me filling his bowl tonight. We had a bite free interaction.
 
I gave Henry extra space for a day, just did his treat ball & roller for him without my hand staying in. Today he was very adamant about saying hi, wouldn't accept me just leaving his toys. After I filled them and pulled my hand out he kept meerkatting and pawing at the bin for me. I was welcome back in his enclosure and he sat on my hand for treats for the first time. He usually just picks them up and sits near me. Henry also kept climbing up on my arm for ups and he zoomed around the couch a bit.

I also am feeding him Higgins Vita Garden now, which he really seems to enjoy. Has more of his favorite sticks and better nutrition all around.
 
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Sweet little Henry taking a nap in his favorite corner by the play area. Red lights are a must for hamster owners, can see without bothering him one bit.

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Henry has a new sleeping spot. I used to think breakfast was the super serious business, but I've learned he gets up like clockwork at 7pm for together time. He always chirps for me to come over.

The last few days he was watching me fill his bowl like "that's great, but I really want to play". He loves doing the puzzles together, and tries to bring them into his burrows. Found his roller toy under the bendy bridge this morning.

I also do a scavenger hunt with his sprays, he loves the flax the most. The golden millet and wheat he wasn't a fan of, sorghum he eats too. Got to get a video of him with them tonight, he grabs the whole flax spray with both paws and it's so funny.

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More of the same from Henry all week, we have a good routine going. I always hear him chirp for me at 7:30 every night.

I was hoping to get some footage of his methodical solving of the treat ball tonight, but he decided he was too lazy and just asked for one.

He continues to hover right on the edge of being overweight, but it's only been a week on his improved diet.

Too Lazy, Gimme!
Close Up
Chillaxed Snacking
 
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