Hamsters make adorable pets, and most people can’t resist their innate cuteness. They enjoy racing around their cages, running on their hamster wheels, and nibbling on vegetables. But what about jumping – can hamsters jump?
Hamsters can jump, although they prefer to climb. Hamsters typically jump when they’re bored or scared. They don’t hesitate much before trying to jump, and you can also sometimes see them jumping from one item in their cage to another.
The rest of this article will discuss all there is to know about hamsters jumping, such as how high or how far they can jump and whether or not they can jump out of their cages. Let’s dive right in!
Can Hamsters Jump High?
In the introduction, I mentioned that hamsters can jump. So, how high can they jump?
How high a hamster jumps depends on the species. Syrian hamsters can jump up to
15 inches (38.1 cm) or more, while dwarf hamsters can easily jump 7 to 10 inches (17.7 cm to 25.4 cm) from the ground.
These figures are impressive, but the motivation for jumping is even more fascinating. What are some common reasons for hamsters to jump?
Hamsters usually jump if they feel frightened or bored. I’ll explain this in more detail below:
- Hamsters can jump out of fear. Hamsters won’t hesitate to jump when they feel frightened or threatened. You may have witnessed this when you first got your hamster, and it jumped out of your hands. If something in their cage scares them, they may try to jump out of it to escape the threat.
- Hamsters jump out of boredom. Hamsters (especially younger ones) are known to have abundant energy reserves, and there is only so much running on the wheel they can do. Eventually, hamsters will attempt to climb or jump out of their cage in search of more fun and stimulation or simply as a way of expending their boundless energy.
You can prevent your hamster feeling scared by keeping other pets away from the cage, and not making sudden movements when handling the hamster.
Can Hamsters Jump Out of Cage?
Hamsters can jump out of the cage. If they can reach a reasonably elevated level in the cage, they may try to jump out. This would usually be if they were trying to get away from a threat in their cage or they feel very bored.
Another reason your hamster might try and jump out of its cage is if you haven’t cleaned it recently. Hamsters are relatively clean animals and don’t enjoy living in cages with droppings or old food.
If you think your hamster might be trying to jump out of its cage because it’s bored, it’s worth evaluating whether it has enough stimulation. With their seemingly endless energy levels, hamsters enjoy playing with various toys, including:
- Chew toys
- Hamster wheel
- Hammocks
- Sand baths
If you’ve provided a few toys in your hamster’s cage, and they enjoy climbing on top of their toys, this may give them more clearance from the ground, making it easier for them to jump.
If the top of the cage has not been secured in place, you can expect your hamster to try and escape through there and jump over the side of the enclosure.
How High Can Hamsters Jump?
How high a hamster can jump depends on the breed. Syrian hamsters are larger and can typically jump up to 15 inches (38.1 cm) off the ground. On the other hand, the smaller dwarf hamster can jump only 7 to 10 inches (17.7 cm to 25.4 cm) off the ground.
This table discusses a Syrian and dwarf hamster’s typical height, weight, and jump distance:
| Syrian Hamster | Dwarf Hamster | |
| Average length | 8 inches (20.3 cm) long | 2 inches to 4 inches (5.0 cm to 10.1 cm) long |
| Average weight | 3 oz to 5 oz (85 g to 141.7 g) | 7 lbs to 8 lbs (3.1 kg to 3.6 kg) |
| Jump distance | 15 inches (38.1 cm) | 7 inches to 10 inches (17.7 cm to 25.4 cm) |
The larger and heavier Syrian hamster can jump considerably higher than dwarf hamsters that weigh and measure less. This makes sense because dwarf hamsters have shorter legs and are less powerful than their Syrian counterparts.
That said, hamsters won’t jump unless they really need to. Unlike other rodents, their bodies haven’t been designed for frequent jumping. Other rodents, such as rats, can cover much greater jumping heights and distances and would give hamsters a run for their money.
Can Hamsters Jump From High Places?
Hamsters can jump from high places. However, they can’t judge height effectively and may try to jump from an elevation that they do not realize is too high, resulting in an injury.
Whether it is a jump, a drop, or a fall, any distance beyond 10 inches (25 cm) will cause harm and injury to your hamster. If your hamster’s cage is large and has high objects, there are certain steps you can take to ensure that your hamster is safe when jumping and has a soft landing:
- Be generous with the substrate. Hamster enclosures typically have a bedding layer on the floor made of wood shavings, grass, or even paper. If your hamster climbing and falling inside the cage is a real danger, add an extra layer or more of the substrate material to the floor. If it is thick enough, it will provide sufficient padding if your hamster falls and minimizes the risk of sustaining an injury.
- Overlap multiple levels. It’s not difficult to see why a hamster owner would provide multi-level housing for their hamster.However, your hamster may climb to the highest point and fall all the way to the bottom of the cage. You can prevent this by overlapping the different levels of your hamster’s cage. That way, there will never be enough height to cause injury, and the overlapping level below them would break their fall.
- Opt for wooden furnishings. Hamster cage accessories are essential. They’re the difference between your hamster having a cage and your hamster having a home. These items can be made of various materials. Opt for wooden alternatives. Should your hamster fall in their cage, impact against wood would be less harmful than against metal and other materials.
In addition to the above safeguards, don’t place any hamster cage accessories or furniture that are 10 inches (25 cm) or taller. This puts your hamster at risk of sustaining an injury if it falls.
How Far Can Hamsters Jump?
How far a hamster can jump is equal to the vertical height it can jump. Large hamsters can jump a distance of around 15 inches (38.1 cm), while smaller hamsters can jump only 7 to 10 inches (17.7 cm to 25.4 cm).
That said, a hamster won’t normally choose to jump if it wants to cover a specific distance because it is very efficient at running.
Can Hamsters Climb Walls?
Now that you know hamsters can jump, you might wonder if they can climb walls.
Hamsters can climb walls as long as the wall provides enough grip for them. If your walls have textured wallpaper or items onto which your hamster can grip, it won’t hesitate to climb the wall if given the opportunity.
If you’ve ever observed how well your hamster can climb up and down your arm and back when you handle it, it’s easy to understand how they will climb walls.
What To Do If Your Hamster Jumps Out of Its Cage
If your hamster has jumped out of its cage, there’s no reason to panic. Hamsters understand where their homes and food sources are, and if you leave the cage door open, it will likely return within a few hours or even sooner.
Avoid chasing your hamster, as this could scare it.
In the unlikely event that your hamster hasn’t returned to its cage after 24 hours, follow these tips to try and relocate it:
- Continue replacing the food and water in your hamster’s cage. You should continue to refresh your hamster’s water and food because there’s a good chance that the hamster is nearby. Hunger and thirst may force your hamster back into its cage.
- Check behind and underneath furniture. Hamsters love exploring and finding new hiding places. Dark places behind and underneath furniture are natural hiding places for them.
- Wait for the sun to go down before looking for your hamster. If you can’t find your hamster during the day, it’s likely that it’s sleeping somewhere. Since hamsters are nocturnal, wait until nightfall before looking for your pet again.
Conclusion
Hamsters have remarkable energy reserves and may jump if they feel frightened or bored. How high your hamster jumps depends on its breed, size, and weight.
If you take steps to ensure that your hamster never has reason to feel scared or bored, you can prevent it from jumping out of its cage.