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October 3, 2023

Cage Rage in Hamsters: 10 Ways to Stop It

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Ways to Stop Cage Rage
Important Facts
Prevention

If you’ve ever seen your hamster busily gnawing away at the cage bars, you might assume that this is just typical hamster behavior. But it might not be.

Hamsters that chew on the bars of their cage and start to show aggression, such as lunging and biting your hand when you put them in the cage, are suffering from a psychological disorder called cage rage.

This disorder can range from mild to severe, so here, we discuss the primary reasons for it and the ways that you can help your hamster, which should keep them happier and healthier overall.

What Exactly Is Cage Rage?

Cage rage is a psychological disorder that can affect any animal living in a cage, but the signs will vary depending on the species.

Depending on its severity, it can prove dangerous to the hamster, you, or other hamsters that share the cage. It is also highly stressful for the hamster, impacting their health and shortening their lifespan.

Djungarian hamster is looking out from the wooden house — Image Credit: IRINA ORLOVA, Shutterstock

Signs of Cage Rage

The signs will depend on what stage the cage rage is at, but the following are the most common ones:

Excessive gnawing and biting of the cage bars
Lunging at anything placed in the cage (including your hand)
Biting your hand, particularly when they’re in the cage
Exhibiting increased aggression both inside and outside the cage
Constantly climbing the bars
Destroying everything in the cage
Showing aggression toward other cage mates
Appearing stressed and agitated
Making vocal sounds or spitting when you approach the cage
Exhibiting signs of damaged teeth from bar biting
Marking their territory excessively

The 10 Ways to Stop Cage Rage

How you stop the cage rage entails determining what caused it in the first place. Let’s cover the methods that you can use to help your hamster.

1. Invest in a Larger Cage

A primary cause of cage rage is the habitat being too small. This can especially be the case with Syrian (Golden) Hamsters because they are a large hamster species (typically 5–7 inches long).

Most experts recommend that a hamster’s cage should be as large as possible, but as a general guideline, a cage for hamsters of any size should be no smaller than roughly 40 x 20 x 20 inches.

2. Add Enrichment Toys

Beyond the usual running wheel, hamsters need various enrichment toys to help keep them occupied. Aim for items that the hamster can chew on (and not the bars) and things that they can explore.

You should also ensure that the running wheel is safe for your hamster. It should be large enough for their body, and being made of solid plastic would be ideal. You can also make your own hamster toys or purchase a few good ones.

Syrian hamster play with an hamster wheel — Image Credit: Johannes Menge, Shutterstock

3. Remove Cage Mates

This is particularly vital for Syrian hamsters, which are typically quite territorial and usually aggressive toward other hamsters. If you are housing hamsters together, consider rehousing one to a new cage.

Some are fine living in same-sex groups, but many female hamsters can be quite aggressive and territorial. If you witness aggression directed toward other hamsters, separating them should help.

4. Include Places to Hide

Along with tunnels and toys, you must ensure that your hamster has a few hideaways, which can help reduce stress. Having a place to hide makes hamsters feel safer, particularly if they need to hide from a stressful situation.

If your hamster builds a nest, you should always be careful to keep it as intact as possible when cleaning out the cage.

5. Socialize Your Hamster

Your hamster should be given regular opportunities to interact with you, particularly outside the cage. At least three times a week, handle your hamster outside the cage, and allow them to safely explore an area like the couch or a bed.

Bear in mind that some hamster species don’t like to be handled much, so get to know your hamster, and learn the right amount of handling for them.

feeding hamster treats in its cage — Image Credit: Victor FlowerFly, Shutterstock

6. Let Them Sleep

Hamsters are nocturnal, which any hamster owner knows if the cage is in their bedroom! But this means your hamster will be sleeping during the day, which is when you might want to handle them.

As tempting as it is, you should always leave your hamster to sleep. Imagine suddenly being picked up when you’re having a nice nap. It’s jarring! This can lead to more stress for your hamster, so only handle them when they are awake.

7. Keep the Cage Clean

An unclean cage adds to a hamster’s stress, so you should clean it weekly and spot clean it every day—remove soiled and wet litter and replace it with fresh litter.

If the cage is average sized, you should do a deep cleaning once a week or every 2 weeks. This is why having a large cage can come in handy. If you spot clean every day, you can go longer between deep cleans, possibly every 1 or 2 months.

8. Use Tubes/Tunnels

Tubes are ideal objects for hamsters to explore safely. Just ensure that they don’t take up space inside the cage; use the ones that can create bridges and areas up along the ceiling.

Be sure to monitor your hamster as they navigate the tunnels, and remember that they will also need cleaning.

blue eyed hamster in a cage — Image Credit: Makoto_Honda, Shutterstock

9. Check the Base of the Cage

If the base of your hamster’s cage is shallow, they won’t be able to burrow as much as they would prefer. Burrowing gives your hamster something to do and makes them feel safe. So, if you’re already in the market for a newer, bigger cage, check that there’s a deep enough base to enable burrowing.

10. Ensure That There Is Enough Ventilation

This is especially critical if you are using an aquarium to house your hamster. A plastic habitat will need enough regular holes to ensure proper ventilation, and an aquarium should have a mesh ceiling.

Without the right ventilation, the habitat will be too hot and humid, and the hamster will also be trapped with the strong smells of their cage.

They will also experience extra stress if they are moved from a wire cage into an aquarium, as it will have less ventilation than the cage, and the reflection might cause them anxiety.

Facts About Cage Rage

The most common cause of cage rage is an unsuitable cage—it’s too small and/or not cleaned regularly enough. Most hamsters are sold in cages that are far too small for them.
All species of hamsters can experience cage rage, but Syrian hamsters are the most likely. While the Roborovski hamster is less likely, they can still experience stress from things like overcrowding and itching.
Unfortunately, some hamsters with severe cage rage might not ever recover. This is why when you first notice your hamster showing signs of cage rage, you must take steps to stop it.

Syrian hamster in green hamster wheel — Image Credit: Punyaphat Larpsomboon, Shutterstock

How to Prevent Cage Rage

Preventing cage rage must start with the size of the cage and maintaining cleanliness. Separate any hamsters housed together at the first sign of cage rage, and ensure that their cages are far apart enough that they don’t know the other is there.

Ensure that their cage has at least two levels to explore, enough toys, and an appropriate running wheel. Give your hammy enough time with you for socialization, the ability to explore outside, and enough places to hide inside the habitat.

Conclusion

Avoiding cage rage relies on giving your hammy enough space—space away from other hamsters (for some species), space from too much noise and stress, and space to run around in.

Like all pets, hamsters need plenty of attention, love, and care, which means feeding them, cleaning the cage, and ensuring that they are happy. Even if your hammy seems fine, double-check the size of their cage, and get them enrichment toys and regularly rotate them to prevent boredom.

The moment that you suspect that cage rage might be occurring, take these steps, and you should be able to stop it before it becomes a serious problem.

Featured Image Credit: stock_shot, Shutterstock

The post Cage Rage in Hamsters: 10 Ways to Stop It appeared first on Pet Keen.

February 28, 2023

Do Hamsters Know When Another Hamster Dies? What Science Says

Hamsters are typically solitary animals, but they can occasionally be housed together if you have the right species and a proper introductory period. If you have more than one hamster living together, you might be curious about what will happen when one of them dies. Will your living hamster(s) mourn for their lost companions?

Hamsters can definitely miss their cage mates when they pass away, but they will not grieve in the same way sociable animals like guinea pigs would. Keep reading to learn more about housing hamsters in pairs and the grieving process they may go through when their cage mate passes away.

Do Hamsters Know When Another Hamster Dies?

Though many people don’t think of hamsters as friendly and affectionate pets, they certainly can be. If you keep hamsters together in a cage, one will definitely notice a change in their environment when another hamster passes away. It’s important to remember that most animals have no concept of death, so your pet won’t understand that its partner has died but will think that it’s gone somewhere else for the time being.

Your pet may become stressed or unhappy as it adapts to life without its cage mate. But remember, it has spent time adjusting to life with this other hamster, so it can hit them pretty hard when that other creature isn’t there anymore.

hamster bedding1_ Martin Javorek_Pixabay — Image Credit: Martin Javorek, Pixabay

Can Loneliness Kill a Hamster?

You’re probably wondering if your living hamster will succumb to loneliness after losing its cage mate. This is highly unlikely. Hamsters are pretty solitary creatures in nature, and most prefer living alone, so while your living hamster may undergo an adjustment period after the death of its cage mate, it is not likely to pass away due to loneliness.

To help ease the transitionary period, we recommend spoiling your hamster. Buy it new toys and spend extra time playing with it. Watch for signs of lethargy and make sure it’s eating enough.

small hamster on the floor — Image Credit: TETU222, Shutterstock

Should I Get My Remaining Hamster a New Cage Mate?

If your living hamster shows signs of sadness and loneliness after its cage mate passes away, you might think getting another hamster is the answer. This is not a good idea. The delicate equilibrium that existed in the environment your hamsters shared will be upset by the loss of one pet. Putting a new hamster into the cage will only cause problems.

Do Hamsters Need to Be Kept in Pairs?

No, hamsters don’t need to be housed with other hamsters. They aren’t like guinea pigs, which must be kept in pairs. In fact, certain species shouldn’t be housed together at all. For example, Syrian and Chinese hamsters aren’t naturally sociable species and do better when they’re kept alone. In addition, housing two incompatible species together can lead to territorial behaviors and fights. Hamsters can even get aggressive enough to kill one another.

That said, some types, like dwarf hamsters, can be housed together safely, provided they’re introduced to one another at a young age.

Final Thoughts

Bonded hamsters are a rare occurrence but not entirely unheard of. If you’re lucky enough to have two hamsters that can be housed together, you may notice some behavioral changes in your living pet when its cage mate passes away. Your remaining hamster will adjust to the changes in its environment, but it may take some time. While it might sound like a good idea to buy another hamster to keep your living pet company, this is not recommended as it can cause fights and territorial behavior.

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Werner Sigg, Shutterstock

The post Do Hamsters Know When Another Hamster Dies? What Science Says appeared first on Pet Keen.

February 20, 2023

Do Hamsters Recognize Their Name? The Surprising Answer!

Owning a pet hamster is one of life’s greatest joys. These pint-sized bundles of cuteness are adorable, loving, entertaining, and inexpensive to maintain. They also take up minimal space and don’t require constant attention like most other pets.

One of the best aspects of having a pet hamster is naming them. Rewarding your hamster with a fitting name is the least you can do to solidify your newly found relationship. But once you do, will the hamster recognize it?

Yes, hamsters do recognize their name, but not right away. Hamsters are intelligent creatures and, over time, can learn to recognize their names as well as their owners’ voices. If your hamster isn’t responding to its name, you probably haven’t trained it to. Below is everything you need to know about teaching hamsters to recognize their name and yours too!

Can I Teach My Hamster to Learn Its Name?

Yes, you can teach your hamster to learn its name, but it takes patience and effort to do so. The best way to teach your hamster its name is through treats. Here’s how you do it.

Stick a treat near the hamster’s rat cage and call out its name slowly. Don’t shout, or you might startle it. Instead, use a gentle and soothing voice to beckon the rodent over. You might have to do it over and over for stubborn ones.

Repeat this every day until the hamster becomes aware of its name. That way, the next time you call its name, it should come running even without a treat. You’ll have to be patient with your little fuzzball, but all that waiting will pay off eventually.

How Long Does It Take for a Hamster to Learn Its Name

It’s hard to pin down the exact time it takes for a hamster to learn its name because intelligence and obedience vary from one hamster to the next. However, it will take the average hamster about one or two weeks to learn and remember its name.

Teaching your hamster its name without a treat takes longer for it to learn its name. Without an incentive, the hamster won’t have much to look forward to hence the delay. If your hamster takes too long to learn its name, you can always call in an animal behavioral expert to help.

New hamsters also take longer to learn their names because they first have to complete an acclimatization period before they’re comfortable in their new environment. Only then can they start learning and responding to their names.

hamster on bedding — Image Credit: metalboy25, Pixabay

How Can I Tell Whether My Hamster Is Learning Its Name?

There are a few telltale signs that your hamster is starting to recognize its name. They include the following.

It Runs to You – The most obvious sign that your hamster recognizes its name is when it comes to you when you call its name. To be certain, call your hamster’s name without a treat and see if it comes to you. Sometimes they’re only after the delicious treat in your hand.
Obeys Commands When You Use Its Name – Does your hamster respond to commands like “stand” or “rollover” when you follow them with its name? If it does, it probably recognizes its name and the commands. This is especially true if it obeys these commands consistently.
Vocalizations – A hamster that squeaks or chatters on hearing its name associates the sound with itself. This vocalization is your hamster’s way of saying “yes” or responding to your call. It means that the hamster recognizes its name and responds accordingly.

hamster hiding under its bedding — Image Credit: Werner Sigg, Shutterstock

How to Build a Solid Bond With Your Hamster

To build a solid pet-owner bond, it is important to teach your hamster its name. And It’d be hard to do so if your hamster runs away to hide whenever it sees you. Here’s how you can build a strong bond with your hamster to achieve your bottom line.

Make It Accustomed to Your Voice – Hamsters make up for their limited vision with an acute sense of hearing. Familiarizing your hamster with your voice teaches it that there’s nothing to be scared of. Talk to your rat every day in a gentle voice until it gets used to it. Avoid being too loud, or you might scare the poor guy.
Introduce It to Your Friends and Family – Once the hamster gets used to your voice, you can introduce it to friends and family. Exposure to other humans helps it understand the human species better and learn that they’re not a threat. Again, make everyone speak softly so you don’t make the hamster nervous.
Get It Used to Your Scent – Hamsters also have a strong sense of smell to sniff out food and predators before they get too close. Your pet hamster should get used to your scent so it doesn’t associate it with anything threatening. Get your hand as close as possible to your hamster so it can get a good whiff of it. Repeat this every day until it learns your scent. With time, you’ll notice it moving closer and closer to your hands. This is a sign that it trusts you.

You can begin training your hamster to learn its name once you build a strong bond with it. A little gentle petting while calling its name helps accelerate the learning process. However, avoid any sudden movements since hamsters startle easily. Once it learns its name, you can up the ante and teach it a trick or two.

hamster eating inside his cage — Image Credit: Raquel Vizcaino, Shutterstock

Mistakes to Avoid While Teaching Your Hamster Its Name

Some mistakes could set you many steps back when teaching your hamster its name. Here are some mistakes to avoid.

Getting Frustrated

It’s easy to get frustrated when your hamster refuses to grasp its name despite numerous training sessions. Hamsters aren’t as intelligent as humans or other animals. Sometimes, they’re a little bit nervous.

Remember to be patient and keep at it for the best results. Your hamster might take a few days, weeks, or even months to learn its name. Whenever you feel frustrated, take a brisk walk outside to calm down and get right back to the training.

Inconsistency

Consistency is key when teaching your hamster its name. Hamsters sit 4th on the list of top 10 animals with the worst memories on the planet. Therefore, having weekly training sessions won’t do much for it.

Instead, have at least a single training every day to achieve your bottom line. Inconsistent training sessions are a waste of time.

Syrian hamster peeking — Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock

Mixing Name Training With Other Training Sessions

If you want to teach your hamster its name, stick to only that. Mixing it with other training sessions may confuse the little critter. Focus first on teaching its name before you can move to teach it tricks and other commands.

Failing to Reward Your Hamster

Training sessions without a reward are likely to hit a dead end. Be sure you treat your hamster to a little reward every time it responds to its name. This keeps the training sessions exciting and mentally stimulates them to learn faster.

You can offer it a treat either before or after the training session. It’s okay to stop the rewards once the training concludes.

syrian hamster playing — Image Credit: Johannes Menge, Shutterstock

Are There Any Benefits to Hamsters Learning Their Names?

Hamsters learning their names may seem like something fun and cute for your hamsters. But did you know that there are a few benefits to doing so? Some of these include.

Improves the Relationship Between You and Your Hamster

Nothing says “strong pet-owner bond” than calling your hamster by its name and the hamster responding. The bond between you and your hamster grows stronger every time you call it by its name, and it responds. Not to mention the numerous training sessions where the hamster gets familiar with your voice, scent, and presence. This love and trust will help reduce the hamsters’ stress levels.

hamster wheel — Image Credit: Katinka Bakos, Shutterstock

Reduces Shyness

It’s not uncommon for hamsters to hide or curl themselves up in the corner of their cages because of shyness. Training your hamster to recognize its name will help reduce its shyness, leading to a happy and fun-loving hamster that enjoys your company.

Makes It Easier to Learn Tricks and Commands

Teaching your hamster new tricks and commands will be much easier once it has a firm grasp of its name. That way, you can get it to stand, sit, or roll over to impress your guests.

Final Thoughts

Hamsters recognize their names, but only if you train them to. How long it takes for yours to do so depends on the training approach you take. Remember, patience and consistency are crucial to teaching your hamster to recognize its name. Stick to it, and your hamster will respond to its name in no time. If it doesn’t, then maybe a professional can help.

Sources

Featured Image Credit: Victor FlowerFly, Shutterstock

The post Do Hamsters Recognize Their Name? The Surprising Answer! appeared first on Pet Keen.