Hamsters have different ways of communicating with each other and with their owners. Every now and then they\u2019ll squeak or grunt, but they more often use nonverbal chemical cues and body language. Understanding this language can help you be a better pet owner and make your rodent a happy camper!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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When your hamster behaves normally, it means it\u2019s relaxed and content. You can rest easy when your furry friend engages in everyday routines and practices healthy habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rodents, in general, are very clean creatures. A hamster will spend a good amount of its day primping and bathing. This is a good sign. It means it feels comfortable enough in its environment to let its guard down and groom itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hamsters have teeth that never stop growing! They need to keep them trimmed, much like people have to trim fingernails. It\u2019s a sign of wellbeing when your hamster is practicing good dental hygiene, chewing and gnawing on harder items like cardboard to wear down their incisors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hamsters love having a comfy place to sleep, so don\u2019t be surprised if your pet spends many hours moving bedding<\/a> around, digging, tunneling and getting everything just right. They\u2019re also nocturnal, so you can expect to see them sleeping much of the time that you\u2019re awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like humans, dogs, cats and many other animals, stretching limbs is a sign that a hamster is enjoying its time. If you see a hamster yawn while it\u2019s stretching, that means it\u2019s even more comfortable and oh-so-very relaxed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continuous, shallow sniffing is something your hamster will do every day. This is part of how it finds its way around, even in an already familiar environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other signs that your hamster is comfortably curious include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your hamster is only exploring the outer edges of its cage, it might be a sign that it\u2019s searching for security. A hamster will feel safer when it leans against a solid surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes hamsters will be unsure of their surroundings, or something might be causing them to be afraid or anxious. If you notice any of these behaviors in your pet, you should stop engaging it until it calms down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a hamster\u2019s ears are pressed backward or pushed forward, it feels threatened. The unnatural ear position is a telltale sign that something is amiss, especially while a hamster is also frozen, standing up on its hind legs or baring its teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your pet is hiding or excessively shy, it means it\u2019s overwhelmed by the stimuli around it. This most often happens when it\u2019s startled, so try eliminating whatever is scaring it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hamsters are normally energetic, but if you see them acting overly nervous, shaking, suddenly grooming or emptying their cheek pouches very quickly, they may be scared or anxious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hamsters can become aggressive when they feel threatened or insecure. If you recognize signs of insecurity or fear in your hamster, the best thing you can do is leave it alone. Trying to pick it up or calm it down while it\u2019s still frightened could cause harm to you or the hamster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some possible behaviors your pet might display when it\u2019s angry, threatened and about to lash out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy hamsters are more optimistic and will engage in more enjoyable routine activities, much like people! A hamster that often exhibits body language of anxiety, fright or aggressiveness isn\u2019t happy in its environment. We have some tips for how to make sure your hamster is entertained<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if your hamster is lethargic, acting lazy or is unresponsive, this isn\u2019t just a sign of depression but of more serious illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hamsters engage in plenty of behaviors that are considered completely normal and healthy. But when they can\u2019t stop doing them, that\u2019s another indication that your pet is unhappy or sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you notice these behaviors, do what you can to make their environment better and consult your veterinarian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have been done on how important healthy surroundings are for hamsters\u2019 wellbeing. It makes a world of difference for them to have an engaging and positive environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Providing the life essentials is the first step to positive pet ownership. You should see your hamster displaying many of the relaxed-and-content behaviors we explored at the beginning of this article. By offering a healthy, happy home and understanding what your hamster is saying with its body language, you\u2019re giving your furry friend all the love it needs!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hamster Stretching<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hamster Sniffing and Exploring<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Hamsters Communicate Fright, Insecurity and Stress<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ears Back or Forward<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hiding<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sudden Movements and Hyperactivity<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Signs of Aggression in Hamsters<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is My Hamster Depressed?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Compulsiveness<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Make Your Hamster Happy<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n