While hamsters are generally shy, they have unique personalities and mannerisms and sometimes demonstrate that they like one person more than others. You can determine if a hamster likes you by looking at their behavior and evaluating them in their environment. Observe how hamsters behave toward you by evaluating their facial and bodily behavior, calling their name, and placing them outside the cage to see if they come to you. Hamsters have become one of the most popular house pets in America due to their endearing appearance, their mostly sweet demeanor, and their relative ease of care. First "discovered" in present day Syria in the 1830s, these little rodents are fairly easy to keep clean, increasing their appeal.
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Observe normal hamster behavior
Observe the hamster with someone you know it likes, usually the person who handles the hamster the most and meets little or no resistance when doing so. You then will have a reference point to compare its behavior against. Hamsters develop a preference for a person from being handled from their youth, and they develop a strong bond with that person. When such a person puts a hand in the cage and calls for the pet, the hamster is less likely to run away, and may even approach. You can safely say the hamster likes this person.
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Evaluate body and facial behavior
Evaluate facial and bodily clues, through which hamsters show emotion. Watch the hamster closely when anyone puts a hand in the cage and calls for the hamster. If the hamster grimaces, flinches or raises its hand (which is a sign of preparing to fight) the hamster probably does not like this person. If the hamster moves toward the person's hand, the furry friend likes them.
Call your hamster by their name
Use the clues in the paragraphs above to determine if the hamster likes you. Call your hamster by their name. If the hamster comes to you, they like you. If the hamster flinches or runs away, the hamster does not like you.
Place hamster in hamster cage
One of the best ways to tell if your hamsters really, really like you is by placing them in hamster cages and seeing if they want to attract your attention. Try standing farther away and speaking out loud. If the hamster likes you, they will be interested in the sound of your voice. Watch the hamster's behavior when you walk up to the hamster cage and place your hand near it. If they show interest in you by coming up to you or looking at you, they like you.
Consider hamster breeds and development
Just like other animals, a history of abuse can affect how hamster breeds react to people later in life. If a hamster of any hamster breed was handled roughly at a young age, they may not act as friendly. Similarly, if a hamster knows they can expect to be handled frequently and with kindness, they will likely stay tame and not bite. If you startle or scare a hamster they may bite out of fear — a definite sign they don't like you.
Place hamster in safe space
Test the level of the hamster's affection. Place the hamster in a safe, contained area outside the hamster cage. Call your hamster's name and reach for the hamster gently, first with a treat in your hand. Later, call the hamster's name without a treat in your hand. If the hamster shows interest in you even without the treat, they likely enjoy your company. Observe its response using the above tips to make a determination of whether the hamster likes you or not.