Looks like a hamster! Could be someone’s lost pet, or maybe it escaped. If you’re considering keeping it, check out some hamster care guides to get started. They’re generally low maintenance but still need the right setup.
If the bite wound is red and swollen, it could be an infection. It’s rare for hamsters to carry rabies, so no need to worry there. Try checking with local shelters to see if they’ll take it in. You might want to check with neighbors to make sure it’s not theirs. If you do keep it, hamsters need a large cage and bedding to stay healthy and happy.
Definitely a hamster. Their bites can sting, but you’ll be alright. Please consider bringing it to an animal shelter if you can’t keep it; it wouldn’t survive outside for long.
Looks like a Syrian hamster, and since I don’t see any obvious signs, it might be female. Female Syrian hamsters can be a bit high-maintenance and can show signs of stress like chewing on bars, so maybe it got out or was let loose. As for the bite, just wash it and keep an eye on it for signs of infection.
Yep, a hamster. I was bitten by one years ago—it was my son’s classroom pet that he brought home. This little guy was kept in a tiny cage with no toys and bit anyone who got too close. But after I got him a bigger space with a wheel, he became friendly and even sat on my shoulder. Pets need room to move, and a little kindness goes a long way.
Poor hamster. Please be kind to it if you can’t keep it.
It does look like a hamster, so it’s probably a lost pet. Try giving it some small pieces of fruit like banana or apple to hold it over. Keep an eye on the bite wound, and see how it looks in the morning. If it gets worse, maybe a quick check-up would be good!
She probably bit you because she’s scared and doesn’t know your scent. If you want to keep her, I can share some tips on taming her quickly. Hamsters are very territorial, and they’re not always the best pets for kids because of that.
@Charlie
*thank you for putting up with her
If you’re in an area where wild European hamsters live, you may want to check with local wildlife authorities to confirm its species. Wild hamsters are actually endangered and have different needs than pet hamsters.
Thank you all for the advice! I’ll keep it until Monday and then go to the vet and call a shelter to see what they suggest. It’s eaten a little, so it should be okay for now. I’d love to keep it, but I have cats, so I’ll do my best to make sure it’s safe in the meantime. It’s strange to find such a healthy hamster alone in the woods…hoping it wasn’t abandoned.
Just be cautious with what you feed it; some foods can cause serious issues like bloat in hamsters. They’re sensitive to certain veggies.
One very plump hamster!
Definitely looks like an escaped pet hamster. If your bite wound starts looking redder or warmer, it’s worth having it checked out. Otherwise, there are tons of resources online to help with hamster care!
Think of it as hawk food! Maybe this is your sign to explore falconry.
Just a little hamster… Why is it sitting in a flower pot?
Tristan said:
Just a little hamster… Why is it sitting in a flower pot?
It bit me, so I quickly put it there to stop it from running away! I was caught off guard—I’ve never handled a hamster before.
@Ari
Probably just nervous. Try using gloves next time; Syrian hamsters can be pretty quick. Don’t leave it outside or without cover, though. If you don’t want to keep it, maybe a neighbor’s kid would love to take it in.
@Tristan
I tried gloves, but it still got me through them! Luckily, the wound looks okay. I’ll check with a shelter tomorrow. Thanks again, everyone—your advice has been super helpful.