Last updated on January 28th, 2023 at 06:17 pm
When we keep hamsters, we can face different situations related to our pets. One of them is of course snoring and making noises when they sleep.
Do hamsters snore?
Yes, hamsters snore, and although it is rare, it is not uncommon for them to snore or make other noises when they sleep. When hamsters snore, it can also mean that they have a health problem, and therefore if this happens to your hamster, you should investigate what the reasons are.
In today’s article, you will learn why hamsters snore, and what to do in such situations with your pet.
Do hamsters snore?
Since hamsters sleep during the day, and we sleep at night, this allows us to hear the hamster snoring. Let’s immediately say that hamsters can snore for no particular reason, but it can also be a sign of problems.
When the hamster snores it can be a sign that your pet has certain problems with breathing and the respiratory system.
If the hamster cannot properly release air through the nose, then snoring occurs.
That is why it is very important to find out what is the cause of snoring, it can be due to: allergy, stress, old age, and similar problems, so let’s take a detailed look at the possible reasons for this phenomenon.
Obesity causes hamsters to snore
If hamsters gain weight, they can have health problems, and obesity can also cause your pet to snore.
This happens because of fat that builds up around their airways and makes it difficult for air to move.
Then the hamsters have more vibrations through the airways, and the end result will be the appearance of snoring when our furry friends sleep.
Hamsters snore when they have an allergy
The most common reason for snoring in hamsters is due to allergy. Hamsters often develop allergies to various things.
Bedding is one of the most common sources of allergy in your pet. Sometimes you may get confused about bedding, that is, even though you use the same bedding all the time, an allergy may still occur.
The simplest answer to this is that sometimes the bottom of the hamster bedding bag can contain dirt or ingredients that cause allergies in hamsters.
If you notice that the bedding is causing an allergy, then you need to replace it with a new package of bedding to see if the hamster gets an allergy again.
In addition to bedding allergies, hamsters may be allergic to certain foods or products you use to clean their cage.
When hamsters have an allergy they show certain symptoms such as:
- sneezing
- itching
- loss of fur
- watery eyes
- dry skin
We must mention that the same symptoms appear when hamsters have a cold.
Older hamsters snore more
The older hamsters are, the more likely they are to snore. As hamsters age, their airways gradually lose strength and they begin to snore.
As hamsters age, they are more likely to develop respiratory problems and obesity that cause them to snore while they sleep.
In older hamsters, the muscles of the airways weaken and cannot be opened sufficiently, which hinders the movement of air and results in snoring.
When hamsters are stressed they may snore in their sleep
When hamsters snore during sleep it can be a consequence of stress. Sometimes it happens that hamsters dream a nightmare and make noises or snore.
Making noises when they dream a nightmare happens more when hamsters live in a group. They then dream often because they have conflicts among themselves about who is dominant in the group.
Those hamsters that are more submissive have more nightmares and may make noises or snore.
Therefore, it may be better to keep the hamsters in separate cages especially if you notice that they are very aggressive toward each other, that way you will reduce the chances of them having bad dreams and snoring.
Hamsters snore because of their sleeping position
The sleeping position can cause hamsters to snore because it can obstruct the passage of air through their airways.
For example, if hamsters sleep on their backs with their heads tilted back, there is a certain blocking of their airways and snoring.
Although the sleeping position can cause snoring, it is a much less common cause of snoring in your pets.
Hamsters snore if they have a cold
Hamsters are similar to us when they have colds, and then as a reaction, they start snoring while sleeping.
When hamsters have a cold, they don’t want to move much, and they may even stop eating, they have no appetite.
When hamsters have a cold they have similar symptoms as when they have lung problems. Respiratory infections cause problems with breathing and snoring when they sleep.
When hamsters snore due to problems with their respiratory organs, they also have other health problems, such as difficulty breathing, reduced movement, and rapid fatigue.
How can you prevent hamsters from snoring?
It is a little more difficult to prevent snoring in hamsters, but you can take some things to reduce this phenomenon.
When a hamster has a normal weight and is in top shape, the better for him and the less likely he is to snore when he sleeps.
The environment in which the hamster is located should be clean, keep the bedding and the cage clean to reduce possible allergies that further cause the hamsters to snore.
FAQs
How many hours do hamsters sleep?
Hamsters sleep usually about 12 -14 hours daily. Hamsters do not sleep like us humans, they sleep in more time intervals because they are afraid of predators.
Can hamsters make noises when they sleep?
Yes, hamsters can make certain noises when they sleep. However, most hamsters do not make noises when they sleep.
Is it OK to wake up a sleeping hamster?
Yes, you can wake up the hamster while it is sleeping, but you must be careful not to scare it. The best time to wake up your hamster is when it is darker like before dusk as they will certainly wake up then. When the hamsters are in a deep sleep, then you should not wake them up, and that is mostly during the day, because they may bite you.
Conclusion
Hamsters can snore, and although this is not a common occurrence, it can still happen.
Reasons for snoring in hamsters can be different, from stress, cold, allergy, or maybe from obesity and aggressive behavior when they are in a group with other hamsters.
Preventing snoring in hamsters is a little more difficult, but it can still be reduced if they have a normal weight and a clean environment without the possibility of allergies that most often cause snoring in your pet.
Read more:
Why Is My Hamster Sleeping In The Corner of Their Cage?
Why Does My Hamster No Longer Want To Sleep In Its Bed?
