Keeping hamsters in a cage is not cruel, because the cage provides the hamster with safety and comfort. Hamsters that we keep at home should be in a cage most of the time because that way they will be safer.
Is keeping a hamster in a cage cruel?
No, keeping a hamster in a cage is not cruel. Of course, you should occasionally let them out of the cage for at least an hour to play and run, which will make them even happier and more satisfied.
While in the cage they should have an exercise wheel and plenty of toys, tunnels, and ladders to climb so they have plenty of activity and fun.
Hamsters should spend most of the day in a cage, but in order to prevent the hamster from getting bored, it is necessary to occasionally take it outside.
You should hold him and let him run in your room which is good for his health. It’s not right if you don’t let the hamster out of the cage at all, that’s why he needs a certain amount of time to play outside the cage every day.
When you let him out of the cage, you should be careful that he doesn’t hide or run away somewhere in a hole or a limited place, because then you won’t be able to get him out.
Or when you let it out of the cage, barricade all the places and cracks where the hamster could slip and escape, because then it will be difficult for you to get it back.
When you let the hamster out of the cage, it is a real treat for him and he feels very happy, which positively affects his physical and mental health.
Is it cruel to keep your hamster in a cage?
Keeping your hamster in a cage is not cruel, but you still have to let it out for at least an hour or two every day.
For the rest of the day the hamster should be in its cage. It is not a bad idea to make a daily routine for your hamsters when you let them out of the cage.
For example, you can let him out of the cage in the morning, and you should practice this every day.
And your hamster will get used to the fact that every morning you let him play and run outside the cage and it will become a habit that he will look forward to every morning.
The hamster will benefit from fresh air outside the cage, which is also good for its health. This will positively affect the hamster and its health, and at the same time, it will improve the relationship and trust between you and your pet.
This way of keeping the hamster in a cage and letting him out every day is not cruel, and can only help improve his activities and life in your home.
When you let the hamster out of the cage he will run and after he returns to the cage he will be calmer and more relaxed.
Contrary to this, if you don’t let him outside he will become lazy and behave aggressively toward the owners. He may even start attacking or biting you because he will not be happy if he is locked in the cage all day.
Therefore, let him out of the cage occasionally to allow him to be happy and satisfied, because the less stress and anxiety he has, the healthier he will be and the longer he will live.
The cage offers safety to the hamster, but playing outside is something you must provide for him to feel happy and satisfied.
If you keep the hamster in the cage all the time and do not let it out, it can get sick and end its life prematurely.
The cage offers the hamster safety from the weather which is not possible when it is in nature, but in return, the hamster doesn’t have its freedom.
Benefits of keeping your hamster in a cage
When you keep your hamster in a cage it is not cruel because you offer it numerous benefits.
When you keep your hamster in a cage, it will have regular food to eat and water to drink, which may not be available regularly when it is in nature.
The cage provides him with enough safety from the environment and from other animals such as dogs, cats, and other animals.
However, keeping it in a cage does not mean that you should not let it out so that it can play and run daily, on the contrary, it should be outside the cage for one hour a day.
Keeping them in a cage will allow them to have a proper healthy diet and a longer life span.
A cage is obviously necessary when you need to keep a hamster to give it enough security and protection from the environment that surrounds it.
Adverse effects of keeping a hamster in a cage
When you keep the hamster in a cage, it brings its own negative effects if you do not pay attention to its daily needs of playing and letting out of the cage.
When hamsters are kept in a cage all the time they can become aggressive and frustrated. This can lead to damage to brain cells and deterioration of his health.
When hamsters have brain cell damage it can lead to anger and cruelty on the part of your pet. In such moments, it is possible for the hamster to attack and bite you.
Hamsters when they are in a cage all the time can get injured and even have fatal consequences for their lives.
When a hamster does not feel satisfied in its cage it will not want to eat regularly, it will become lazy and lethargic and it will be unhappy.
These signs are bad and can mean the beginning of problems and stress for your pet, and as we know, a stressed hamster can get serious diseases like a wet tail and eventually die.
Is it ethical to keep a hamster as a pet?
It is excellent to keep a hamster at home, especially if it was purchased from a pet store.
It is unethical if you take the hamster directly from the wild where it is unlikely that you will be able to catch it and bring it into your home.
The hamsters we keep at home are descended from many generations of farmed hamsters, so it is perfectly normal and ethical to keep them in a cage.
Are hamsters sad in cages?
Hamsters manifest differently when they are sad or depressed than when they are bored or angry.
Hamsters are only sad if they don’t have a safe environment and enough food, those two things are the most important things in a hamster’s life.
When hamsters are sad, they don’t want to eat, they hide in hiding places and become very lethargic.
Hamsters will not be sad in a cage if they have enough toys, tunnels, exercise wheels, and other toys in the cage, and of course, you should let them out of the cage for an hour every day to make them happy.
Conclusion
The cage is good for the health and life of the hamsters and keeping them in it is not cruel, as long as you allow them to enjoy daily one-hour outings outside the cage.
When hamsters are in a cage they have security and always enough food and water, toys, and tunnels to keep them entertained.
Hamsters will not feel bad in the cage, just make sure you always let them play outside.
