Hamsters make all sorts of sounds. In fact, they are rarely quiet all the time they’re awake. The noises they make help us understand how they’re feeling and what they need. But can hamsters cry when they’re in pain or uncomfortable?
Dwarf hamsters, as well as all other types of hamsters, do cry. But unlike humans, they don’t produce tears. They cry by making sharp squeaking, hissing, or screaming sounds. And these noises normally follow an unpleasant experience, such as an accidental fall, an injury, or a move to a new place.
To help you understand your hamster’s behavior better, let’s find out the reasons why hamsters cry and what to do to calm it down when it happens.
Reasons Why Hamsters Cry
Hamsters cry by squeaking, squealing, screaming, or hissing. However, hamsters may also squeak or squeal when they’re happy or content. The trick to knowing the difference is observing when hamsters make these sounds.
For instance, if they squeak during play or while chewing on a treat, you can rest assured that everything is more than alright. But if your hamster lets out a sharp and prolonged squeal shortly after being put in a new cage, it may have issues with the new environment.
Moreover, hamster squeaks that are cries of pain or discomfort are usually sudden, sharp, loud, and prolonged, while happy cries are quite soft and have a regular pattern instead of erupting suddenly.
So why exactly do hamsters cry?
Unfamiliar Surroundings or People
Like other animals (and even humans), hamsters need time to adjust to new surroundings and people. So hamsters that are more on the shy side may cry a lot during the first few days in a new home or when you try to pick them up or stroke them for the first time.
If your hamster lets out a cry when you come near, remember not to force yourself on it and give it time to adjust instead. Forcing yourself on your pet will only make their stress worse and make their adjustment period longer.
Fear or Anxiety
Hamsters prefer dim and quiet environments, so if the room they’re in has loud music playing all the time or lights that are too bright, your pet may not like being there. The constant stress can cause them to cry out.
Another reason why hamsters may be afraid is if there are other large animals in the house, such as a pet dog, that have access to the cage.
Injury or Trauma
A previous injury or trauma, such as if your hamster has escaped from its cage and fell from an unsafe height, can also cause it to let out a sharp cry. Sometimes, hamsters who experienced certain injuries may be fearful of places or things that are associated with the trauma.
A hamster that fell and hurt itself, then, may start crying when you try to let it out of the cage for some supervised playtime.
Health Issue
A more serious reason why hamsters cry is when they are suffering from a health problem. One of the most common issues that hamsters experience is an impacted cheek pouch that often results from too much hoarding.
If your pet does not stop crying–especially if it begins repeatedly screaming–make sure to bring it to the vet.
What to Do When Your Hamster Cries
If your hamster cries, it’s usually not a huge concern. But it’s never pleasant to hear your furry pet suffering. Here are some things that you can do to soothe your cute little hamster when you know that it’s stressed or under a lot of discomfort.
Give It Space
Hamsters need time to adjust to new people and places, and they usually are not big fans of being touched, much less of being picked up. So if your pet cries on its first few days with you, don’t worry. Just give it time to get used to you and its new home.
Offer Treats
Hamsters love food! And offering treats often is a sure way to gain their trust and develop a bond with them more quickly. If your hamster isn’t comfortable with you touching it just yet, make sure to maintain a comfortable distance when putting treats in its cage so that it doesn’t feel threatened.
Make Time for Play Outside the Cage
Hamsters love to explore, and playtime outside of the cage is one activity that they will surely enjoy. A hamster that cries in its cage a lot could be feeling too cramped and could use a bigger space. Letting it out occasionally can help it relax and get to know its environment better.
You could also try swapping its cage for a new bigger one where it can play and enjoy its toys better.
Final Thoughts
Hamsters are very low-maintenance pets, which makes them great for busy individuals who still want to have furry friends at home. But even if they don’t need as much as other pets, they still need good old TLC, which you can better provide by paying attention to their behavior.