Why Does Hamster Bite Bars in a Cage? Update 2024

Last updated on February 19th, 2024 at 05:42 pm

What to do when a hamster knocks on the cage or bites the bars, what sign does it give us, whether it is angry, nervous, or lonely? If you keep a hamster as a pet, you have probably noticed it sometimes knocking on the bars of the cage.

However, it is very important not to ignore this habit. It would help if you did not consider her “normal” in his behavior at all. A hamster that bites a cage can easily occur and swallow metals and other substances harmful to its body.

Why does the hamster bite the cage?

In this article, we not only answer your question but also teach you how to prevent this habit because this bad habit can seriously damage both the physical and mental health of your pet.

Boredom and stress are the main reasons for such behavior of hamsters or biting the cage, but also the desire to be outside the cage is the reason why hamsters bite the cage.

Just like us, hamsters can sometimes get bored of their routine. This usually happens when rodents do not have an enriched environment that allows them to find the shapes and tools needed to exercise their body and entertain the mind.

If a hamster gets bored with toys, food, or the environment, he will probably look for a place to escape where he will expend energy and release the accumulated stress.

As a result, you may notice changes in his behavior and adopt new activities that allow your hamster to be more physically and mentally active.

Among them, we find the habit of nibbling the bars of his cage.

Maintaining a healthy routine is essential for the animal to feel safe and able to develop properly in your home, with monotony, and lack of stimulation.

They appear as risk factors for the development of behavioral problems and a number of pathologies in hamsters.

On the other hand, the accumulation of tension can cause the hamster to be hyperactive, nervous, and even aggressive towards those who guard it, and towards other hamsters.

We must also point out the hidden dangers in the “harmless” habit of biting.

Usually, the structure of the cage consists of a compound of different metals, such as aluminum, copper, zinc, and iron, with a surface layer of the tincture.

Biting the cage can easily cause problems for the hamster. Excessive metal intake can disrupt the nervous system of these rodents and even lead to irreversible brain damage.

For example, the paint used to paint the cage may contain plastic particles and toxins. Such substances are a problem, which after swallowing harm the health of the hamster and can even cause poisoning.

On the other hand, a hamster can break a tooth by biting a cage.

If this happens, it will be necessary to control the growth of the teeth and intensify the care of the hamster teeth to keep them well aligned at all times.

If the length of the two teeth is not equal, one of them will grow compensatory, which endangers the health of your hamster.

Can your hamster suffer from anxiety or stress?

Here are the symptoms of hamster stress:

  • nervousness
  • coercive behaviors
  • aggression
  • hyperactivity
  • excessive care
  • silence
  • apathy
  • hair loss

If a hamster sometimes bites you, or if he starts climbing around the cage, digging, and is very nervous, you are probably facing a picture of anxiety and stress.

Remember that it is not normal for a hamster to bite the cage, it is a clear indication of a lack of well-being, it is evidence of anxiety and stress.

Other reasons why a hamster bites a cage

Although most hamsters bite the cage as a symptom of boredom, other reasons may explain this behavior.

On the one hand, rodents need to grind their teeth because they do not stop growing during their lifetime.

In their natural habitat or small pieces of fruit, tree trunks would take care of the teeth. In-home life, educators are the ones who have to find such items for their pets.

You can find these products on the market in a physical store or online.

On the other hand, a hamster that is hungry or malnourished may be the cause of the cage biting.

If it lacks nutrients, it may also start biting bars in cages or other objects in search of compensation for nutritional deficiencies.

Although not a very common cause, it confirms the importance of providing a complete and balanced diet to our rodents to avoid nutritional deficiencies.

Seeds will always be the basis of your hamster’s diet, but you can also offer fruits, vegetables, wild herbs, cereals, and animal protein sources, and of course, always avoid forbidden foods for these rodents.

In addition, some pathologies can generate changes in your hamster’s behavior, causing symptoms of stress, boredom, or hyperactivity.

If you notice that your pet behaves differently or becomes aggressive, do not hesitate to go quickly to the veterinary clinic of exotic animals.why does hamster bite bars

What can you do to stop the hamster from biting the bars of the cage?

You need to get him out of the cage more and let him run out of it, it will be more fun and he will not bite the cage so much.

Another thing is to coat the bars with lemon juice or vinegar and thus avoid biting the cage.

If this does not help, then it is best to change his habitat or rather to have no bars where he will continue to bite the cage.