General Hamster Behaviors
February 26th 2009 19:23
Hamsters are probably one of the more popular small pets that parents buy children. They are small and typically take up minimal room when compared to guinea pigs, rabbits, and other small animal pets. Now, personally, I don't think that hamsters are the best pet for younger children, but with care and socialization, they can make pretty good pets.
As for basic behaviors of hamsters, you'll find that the main behaviors will be pretty similar amongst the different hamsters- Syrian, Chinese, Russian, etc., but generally, you will find that there are also specific behaviors for the different the different hamsters. For example, you will find that Syrian hamsters should not be housed in pairs or small groups after the age of about 6 to 8 weeks because they can be come very territorial over their space, whereas many of the dwarf hamster species are live better in pairs.
As for the general hamster behaviors that your hamster, you may see the following behaviors in your hamster.
Food Storage
You may notice that your hamster has enlarged cheeks. Well, this is for a reason. Hamsters use their cheeks to store food so that they can easily carry the food to their nesting area. You may even notice that your hamster may hoard a small or large collection of food in a corner of the cage.
When cleaning your hamster's cage, you will want to leave a small hoard of food because if your remove the entire collection, you will thoroughly confuse your hamster, so to reduce the stress level, it's a good idea to leave at least a little of the food in the hiding spot. You will want to make sure to remove any perishables, such as any fresh vegetables that you may give your hamster, as well as any food that may have spoiled, in order to minimize mold in the cage.
Wheel Usage
Another common behavior, that may even become a problem depending on where your hamster's cage is and what kind of wheel is in the cage, is the excessive wheel usage. There are many wheels that squeak and even more that are just a pain to clean, but your hamster will use his wheel!
There really isn't a 100 percent reason as to why hamsters run on the wheel so much, but it is definitely a common trait among most hamsters.
You may find that if you have a larger cage, your hamster may not use the wheel as frequently than if you are using a small cage. Some people believe that hamsters use their wheel for enrichment, so the more tubes and tunnels that you provide, you hamster may be more physically engaged than if the tubes weren't there, which means potentially less wheel use.
Grooming
Hamsters will generally groom themselves when they are happy and feel secure, so if your hamster starts to groom himself while in your hands, that means that he is secure with you.
Yawning and Stretching
Now, this may be a sign of plain being tired, but when your hamster stretches and yawns, it also means that he is happy and comfortable.
Listening
Although, you may not believe it, but your hamster will listen to his surroundings. You know that your hamster is listening when he stands on his hind legs with his ears standing straight up. Basically, something in the are has caught your hamsters attention, and he's trying to figure out what it is.
Scent Marking
Hamsters will mark their territory using the scent glands that they have. Typically, the scent glands are in the middle of the body on the stomach area or even on the hip. Your hamster is marking his territory when he is rubbing his flanks on an object.
Squeaking
There are different noises that your hamster may make, but the more common one is probably going to be squeaking. Typically if your hamster squeaks really loud or in repetition, he is agitated by something. It may even mean that he just wants some attention. By carefully listening to your hamster, you will soon be able to figure out what squeaks mean what.
You will notice that with dwarf hamsters, they may squeak when playing and fighting, so you will want to make sure that you can figure out the difference between a playful squeak and a hurt squeak.
Hissing
Hissing is another noise that your hamster may make. Typically if you hear your hamster hissing, it will mean that he is upset, frightened, or startled. Usually, the hamster will hiss in a crouching position with his mouth open, teeth showing, and front paws raised. If your hamster does this, you'll want to leave him be to calm down.
Teeth Grinding
If you hamster grinds his teeth, it means that he wants you to leave him alone. If you continue to pester and try to handle him, you just may get bitten.
Biting Cage Bars
This is a behavior that my hamsters always did. Well, when biting and playing tug of war with the cage bars, your hamster is trying to get your attention. You may notice the behavior more at night or in the early morning when your hamster is more awake.
If you want the hamster to stop, it can be a good idea to get a hamster ball and let him run around the room to exercise the excess energy. Sometimes if you throw a new chew toy into the cage, giving the hamster something to gnaw on, will help the cage biting.
As for basic behaviors of hamsters, you'll find that the main behaviors will be pretty similar amongst the different hamsters- Syrian, Chinese, Russian, etc., but generally, you will find that there are also specific behaviors for the different the different hamsters. For example, you will find that Syrian hamsters should not be housed in pairs or small groups after the age of about 6 to 8 weeks because they can be come very territorial over their space, whereas many of the dwarf hamster species are live better in pairs.
As for the general hamster behaviors that your hamster, you may see the following behaviors in your hamster.
Food Storage
You may notice that your hamster has enlarged cheeks. Well, this is for a reason. Hamsters use their cheeks to store food so that they can easily carry the food to their nesting area. You may even notice that your hamster may hoard a small or large collection of food in a corner of the cage.
When cleaning your hamster's cage, you will want to leave a small hoard of food because if your remove the entire collection, you will thoroughly confuse your hamster, so to reduce the stress level, it's a good idea to leave at least a little of the food in the hiding spot. You will want to make sure to remove any perishables, such as any fresh vegetables that you may give your hamster, as well as any food that may have spoiled, in order to minimize mold in the cage.
Wheel Usage
Another common behavior, that may even become a problem depending on where your hamster's cage is and what kind of wheel is in the cage, is the excessive wheel usage. There are many wheels that squeak and even more that are just a pain to clean, but your hamster will use his wheel!
There really isn't a 100 percent reason as to why hamsters run on the wheel so much, but it is definitely a common trait among most hamsters.
You may find that if you have a larger cage, your hamster may not use the wheel as frequently than if you are using a small cage. Some people believe that hamsters use their wheel for enrichment, so the more tubes and tunnels that you provide, you hamster may be more physically engaged than if the tubes weren't there, which means potentially less wheel use.
Grooming
Hamsters will generally groom themselves when they are happy and feel secure, so if your hamster starts to groom himself while in your hands, that means that he is secure with you.
Yawning and Stretching
Now, this may be a sign of plain being tired, but when your hamster stretches and yawns, it also means that he is happy and comfortable.
Although, you may not believe it, but your hamster will listen to his surroundings. You know that your hamster is listening when he stands on his hind legs with his ears standing straight up. Basically, something in the are has caught your hamsters attention, and he's trying to figure out what it is.
Scent Marking
Hamsters will mark their territory using the scent glands that they have. Typically, the scent glands are in the middle of the body on the stomach area or even on the hip. Your hamster is marking his territory when he is rubbing his flanks on an object.
Squeaking
There are different noises that your hamster may make, but the more common one is probably going to be squeaking. Typically if your hamster squeaks really loud or in repetition, he is agitated by something. It may even mean that he just wants some attention. By carefully listening to your hamster, you will soon be able to figure out what squeaks mean what.
You will notice that with dwarf hamsters, they may squeak when playing and fighting, so you will want to make sure that you can figure out the difference between a playful squeak and a hurt squeak.
Hissing
Hissing is another noise that your hamster may make. Typically if you hear your hamster hissing, it will mean that he is upset, frightened, or startled. Usually, the hamster will hiss in a crouching position with his mouth open, teeth showing, and front paws raised. If your hamster does this, you'll want to leave him be to calm down.
Teeth Grinding
If you hamster grinds his teeth, it means that he wants you to leave him alone. If you continue to pester and try to handle him, you just may get bitten.
Biting Cage Bars
This is a behavior that my hamsters always did. Well, when biting and playing tug of war with the cage bars, your hamster is trying to get your attention. You may notice the behavior more at night or in the early morning when your hamster is more awake.
If you want the hamster to stop, it can be a good idea to get a hamster ball and let him run around the room to exercise the excess energy. Sometimes if you throw a new chew toy into the cage, giving the hamster something to gnaw on, will help the cage biting.
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