10 Signs And Reasons Why Are Hamsters Sad -

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 06:44 pm

Hamsters are very cheerful and energetic pets who love to play and run all the time.

But sometimes they can be sad, and you always wonder why your pet is sad, why he doesn’t want to play and run, and what are the reasons for this behavior.

Why are hamsters sad?

Hamsters are sad when their cage is too small, when the environment is too noisy, when their cage is dirty and when you don’t play with it enough. When hamsters are sad, they become aggressive, they bite the bars of the cage, and they may even bite their owners.

In today’s article you will learn about 10 reasons why hamsters are sometimes sad and what to do to cheer them up.

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10 Signs And Reasons Why Are Hamsters Sad

When hamsters are happy and cheerful we are happy with them, but what should we do when they are sad and why does it happen, what are their reasons for being sad.

Hamsters are sad for the following reasons:

Aggressiveness

Going back and forth
Lethargy
Biting the cage

They try to escape
Climbing the cage
Hiding

Too much grooming
They lie in several places
They stop eating and drinking water

So let’s see each cause of sadness, why it happens and how to cheer up our pets.

Aggressiveness

When hamsters are sad, they show aggressive behavior toward their owners.

If the hamster was always calm and quiet before being aggressive, then it means that the aggressiveness is a consequence of sadness.

When hamsters are aggressive, they may even bite you when you want to play with them, especially if they haven’t done that before.

If the hamster is aggressive and sad it may do other things like move objects in its cage, something it would not normally do.

Going back and forth

When hamsters are sad, they repeat their behaviors, such as pacing back and forth across the cage.

The hamsters then pace back and forth near the bars of the cage and this is a sign that they are sad, and it can also be a sign that they are worried about something else.

When hamsters are sad, they keep repeating certain things, such as:

moving and returning the bedding to the same place

moving and putting back their toys

All these repetitions are a sign that your pet is not happy, that is, that it is sad.

Lethargy

Lethargy is one of the main signs that something is wrong with the hamster and it is sad.

When hamsters are lethargic they sleep a lot more and don’t go out much to play.

When hamsters are sad and lethargic they may start to lose their appetite and eat less, which is not good because when they get fewer nutrients they can get sick.

Lethargy is a sign that the hamster is sad, but it can also mean that our pet may have health problems and diseases.

If apart from lethargy, your hamster has other problems such as pain, dry skin, fur, or something similar, you should take it to the vet because the lethargy may be related to some disease.

Biting the cage

When hamsters are sad they bite their cage.

Hamsters always bite the bars of the cage, but when they are sad they do it much more often and much more aggressively.

You may notice that when they bite the cage and when they are sad, they look like they want to escape from their cage.

If the cage is small, it can be a reason for sadness and biting the cage, because they feel very closed and are not happy at all, and the ultimate goal is to escape from the cage.

When hamsters are sad, they will bite everything in their path, including toys, and cage.

They try to escape

When hamsters are sad, they are constantly thinking about how to escape.

They will try to escape from the cage, or they will run away if you take them in your hands, in other words they will use every opportunity to escape.

If you have just got a new hamster then it is ok for him to try to escape, but if a hamster you have kept for a long time is trying to escape then he is definitely sad and not happy in his home.

Climbing the cage

When hamsters are sad they climb on their cage.

Sometimes they climb the cage all the time, but that’s why you have to notice for yourself whether the climbing is daily or only sometimes.

Specifically, when you buy a hamster, if he immediately starts climbing the cage and does it constantly, then it means that this is his normal behavior, that is, he is not sad.

If the hamster didn’t climb the cage before and now starts doing it, then it is a sad hamster.

Hiding

When hamsters are sad, they hide and stop going out into the open space.

They are hiding because they are not happy and do not want to play and run like before. They can take to eat and drink water and then hide again somewhere in the cage.

Sometimes when they hide it can also mean a health problem and they hide the pain they feel.

Too much grooming

When hamsters are sad they groom too much, much more than regular grooming.

Hamsters groom themselves to clean themselves and that’s perfectly fine, but if they do it all the time then it could mean that the hamster is sad or sick.

If you notice dry skin and coarse cloth on your hamster’s skin and fur, then it may represent a health problem.

In such situations you should take your hamster to the vet for an examination.

They lie in several places

Hamsters rest and lie in certain places in the cage, they have their own certain places that they usually use to lie down.

Hamsters usually lie in the corner of the cage or in places where they feel safe, because they are prey animals and always look to be in a safe place.

When the hamster is sad it changes this habit and starts lying in places it has never laid before.

It can be in open places that are not exactly the safest for him, and it means that the hamster is sad.

They stop eating and drinking water

When hamsters are sad, they stop eating food and drinking water, sometimes they eat a little less, but sometimes they may not eat for a long time.

In such situations, the reason why they refuse to eat may be their sadness and unhappiness.

When hamsters don’t eat or drink water it can affect their health and make them sick, so if your hamster does the same you should take it to the vet.

What to do to make the hamster happy?

In order for the hamster to be happy, you need to provide it with a pleasant environment, a large cage, toys, food and of course your attention.

Let’s read in detail about all these important things that make a hamster happy and satisfied.

A large cage

The hamster cage should be big so that your pet can be happy, run and play in it.

A small cage causes stress, makes the hamster sad and can eventually get sick.

If the hamster has a large cage, it will not run away, it will not bite the bars of the cage and of course it will be active on the wheel and other activities that make it happy.

Food and water

Hamsters should always have sufficient amounts of food and water to keep them happy and cheerful.

Give them a variety of food rich in vegetables and fruits in addition to pellets and a mix of grain mixes.

Sometimes give them a dessert or a treat to eat even though it’s not really healthy for them, but it will make them happy and fulfilled.

Cleaning the cage

Cleaning the cage is important to keep the hamster happy, because a dirty cage will annoy your pet and make him sad.

Clean the cage twice a week, but it does not have to be a deep cleaning, as it will remove all odors from the cage and can cause stress and sadness in your pet.

Deep cleaning is recommended once a month or if necessary even earlier if the hamster’s cage smells too much.

Play with your hamster

If you do not pay enough attention to the hamster, it will be sad and unhappy.

It is necessary to spend at least half an hour playing with your hamster every day, hold it in your hands and talk to it.

Hamsters feel when you take care of them and it makes them happy and enjoys your home.

Let him out of the cage a little and play with him or give him some toys and other activities when you are together with your pet.

Quiet surroundings

To be happy, the hamster needs to be in a quiet place, so put the cage in a quiet location.

Noise and loud sounds annoy the hamster, cause stress, and make him unhappy.

The cage should also be away from other pets that scare the hamster and he gets stressed and certainly cannot feel happy.

Sand bath

Place a sand bath in the hamster’s cage, which, in addition to helping to clean the hamsters, will also help them to be happy.

Sand baths help with relaxation and improve the mental health of hamsters and certainly make them happy and satisfied.