How can I tell that my hamster is feeling well? (4 tips to increase the well-being)
Hamsters are popular pets that can bring us a lot of joy – and of course, we always want our beloved animals to feel comfortable with us, too!
In order to determine whether your furry friend is comfortable with you, it is necessary that you learn a little about his body language.
This is exactly what we want to help you with!
In this article you will find everything you need to know in order to be able to say with absolute certainty whether your hamster is happy with his life. In addition, you will receive 4 tips at the end to actively increase the well-being of your hamster!
Let’s start!
How can I tell that my hamster is feeling well?
The way hamsters express their well-being can vary greatly. However, there are some clues that can clearly show you that your hamster is completely happy with you and enjoying life to the fullest!
- high activity
Hamsters are naturally very curious and playful.
If your hamster is active, explorative and curious about everything going on around him during his waking hours, this is an excellent sign.
Even in old age, happy hamsters are still very active and enjoy doing their favorite activities, such as gnawing, digging tunnels, etc.
- your hamster seeks contact with you
Hamsters are capable of forming bonds with their humans.
If your hamster feels comfortable in your presence, it will come to you and vie for your attention – or a treat. Engage with your hamster regularly and you’ll be amazed at how much character and love can be found in such a tiny animal!
There’s no greater feeling than knowing that the animal you love so much returns your love.
- stretching and yawning
If you see your hamster yawning profusely and stretching with pleasure, you can be sure that your pet is really feeling good right now.
Stretching and yawning are clear signs of relaxation and contentment. So be happy if you can observe your hamster doing this – you have done everything right so far and are a super hamster owner!
- your hamster likes to forage
It is obvious from the name that hamsters like to forage a lot. However, your hamster only forages when he really feels good.
Observe your hamster therefore once more extensively, in order to find out whether your hamster really pursues this passion.
5 Curiosity, play and fun
A healthy, happy hamster has an unbridled curiosity.
Hamsters love to explore and gain new experiences. Hamsters also love to play with their bedding and available hay. Nibble a little hay here, gnaw on the wooden rocker there – bam – hamster happiness is complete!
Therefore, always make sure that your hamster has enough opportunities to gnaw – gnawing is also very important for dental care!
How can I tell that my hamster is uncomfortable?
You have now received a number of signs from us, how you can recognize that your hamster feels comfortable with you.
Now you are probably wondering how you can tell that your hamster is uncomfortable. You may also be confused because your hamster shows few of the signs listed above.
Don’t panic – that doesn’t mean your hamster is unhappy!
Here’s how you can tell if your hamster is really unhappy and it’s time for you to make a change.
- fear and/or aggression
Constant stress is not pleasant for anyone – not even for your hamster. Moreover, a stressed animal is obviously not a happy animal, on the contrary. Continuous stress can show itself through aggressive as well as fearful behavior.
So, if you notice that your hamster is acting remarkably anxious or aggressive, you can assume that he is not happy with his current situation.
Of course, no one is always in a good mood and your hamster can have a bad day, but this behavior should not become permanent.
- apathy
While happy hamsters are active and curious, unhappy hamsters often seem bored and apathetic. Yes, almost as if they are not mentally present at all.
If you notice that your hamster shows very little or even no interest in its environment, you should become alert. This is a sure sign that something is wrong with your pet.
- your hamster hides a lot
If a hamster hides immediately when he sees you coming, then you can assume that your hamster is afraid of you. A hamster that is afraid of its owner obviously cannot live a happy and content life – because it is 100% dependent on you!
Therefore, work more on the relationship with your animal, so that it learns that you are not a danger. The best way to do this is to talk to your pet in a calm voice and start hand-feeding slowly to build trust.
4 Increased need for sleep
Hamsters are one of those animals that have a very pronounced need for sleep. It is not uncommon for your hamster to sleep all day.
However, if you observe that your hamster hardly ever leaves its safe retreat even in the late evening hours and also at night and only sleeps, this is not a good sign.
Keep in mind, however, that old animals do need more sleep than young animals. Also, if your hamster has just been sick, it may simply need to recover a bit more.
- increased susceptibility to diseases.
Unhappy hamsters are always stressed hamsters at the same time – and stress has a negative effect on health!
While happy hamsters are usually bursting with health, unhappy hamsters are highly susceptible to infections and gastrointestinal problems.
If your hamster is one of the candidates that is frequently ill, you should take a closer look at your husbandry to determine if your hamster can truly be happy under the given conditions.
Causes for a lack of well-being in your hamster
The causes for a lack of well-being of the cute furry animals are very diverse. A crucial role is played by both the animal’s attitude and diet. Hamsters have a great need for rest and routine – yet they are also big fans of exercise, play and action! It’s all in the mix!
Illnesses also have a big impact on your pet’s well-being. Especially if you notice changes in your hamster’s nature that seem to come out of nowhere for no reason, it’s always worth a trip to the vet.
Stress caused by a move etc. can also cause your hamster to temporarily feel less comfortable – but this condition should resolve itself after a few weeks.
4 tips to increase the well-being!
- keep your hamster busy
Nobody likes to be bored – not even hamsters! So make sure you regularly add zest to your hamster’s life by giving him safe exercise and changing the setup in the enclosure.
These changes will keep your hamster curious, content and active as he ages.
- give your animal rest during the day
The natural sleeping rhythm is such that your hamster wants to have his rest during the day. Therefore, make sure that the enclosure is in a place where the hamster can sleep undisturbed. Otherwise, it will stress your hamster out tremendously if it is repeatedly jerked out of sleep.
- build a relationship
Most hamsters are happy when their owners spend time with them. So spend time with your pet on a regular basis, and maybe you’ll even want to teach your hamster a few tricks!
15 minutes a day is enough to build a good bond with your pet.
- feed your hamster in a species-appropriate way
Even a small hamster body is dependent on the supply of certain nutrients.
A lack of nutrients can therefore not only have a negative effect on physical health, but also on the psyche.
With a balanced diet, your hamster will blossom with vitality and zest for life – and with a little luck, live to a ripe old age!
My name is Mark and the senior editor
I take great pride in being the best possible author and giving you the knowledge that i have on all different types of animals!
I have spent a lifetime learning about pets and animals, and have worked in the pet and vet industry for over 20 years now!
The website will draw have authors who are vets, pet owners, and local pet breeders. All who will contribute their fantastic knowledge which in turn will be able to help you i hope.
There is a lot of information on the internet so it may be hard to know where exactly is the best place to start learning. But we will write articles that get straight to the point, and give you all the information that you need with no fluff!
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