Hamster Behavior

Hamsters show their emotion and feelings in different ways and you can tell what they are just by looking at them.

Gnawing – This is one of a hamsters most common behavior and its natural to cut down their teeth but if a hamster is gnawing on a cage you can tell they need gnawing material or you haven't provided suitable hamster gnawing material.

Stretching – This usually means that they are satisfied and they often yawn and half close their eyes as well.

Standing and Starring – Hamsters have poor eyesight so you may see hamsters which are starring to listen for something or when standing they may be getting a better view. Its normally for their curiousity.

Rubbing – Hamsters rub their scent glands to mark territory. Syrian hamsters commonly rub its hips against objects while dwarf hamsters rub their belly on objects often.

Lying – A hamster may lie down if its frightened or scared and it will try to hide as much as possible.

Fighting – Hamsters fighting is not a pleasant sight and hopefully you won't see any hamsters fighting. The reason hamsters will fight is normally because you have housed them wrong. Many types of hamsters are territorial. To see about different species and how they like to be house click Hamster Species. Dwarf hamsters are know to have little play fights as well.

Clicking – Some hamsters don't make this unique clicking sound at all, but if you do have a hamster that does its just a sign on happiness so do not be alarmed.

Squeaking – Loud squeaks are sometimes let out when a rodent wants attention or is being annoyed.

High pitch scream – You will rarely hear this but it means that the hamster is very frightened. A frightened hamster will run, bite, and do anything it can to avoid the situation its in. This happens with an untame hamster of a fight that started to happen.

When cleaning out the cage search for old caches of food!