Why does a hamster bite its owner’s finger?

A hamster may bite your finger because it is not yet familiar with you and feels unsafe when touched, biting out of self-protection. Second, your finger may smell of food, so the hamster mistakes it for something edible; wash your hands before handling a hamster.

Finally, if the hamster bites only after being petted for a while, it may be that you touched a sensitive area or gripped too hard and hurt it. After a bite, flush the wound with plenty of clean water; if it bleeds, first squeeze out some blood, then wash with soapy water, and finally disinfect with iodine to prevent infection.