Just like every pet parent, we all want to make sure that our furry friends are feeling happy. Thankfully, though they can’t communicate with us by speaking, they do express their emotions through their behavior and the sounds that they make. But is purring a sound to expect from pet hamsters?
Hamsters do not purr the way that cats do. However, hamsters do click their teeth together in rapid motions, creating “bruxing” noises that sound similar to the purring of cats. Bruxing is a sign that a hamster is relaxed, happy, and well-adjusted to its environment.
Hamsters are usually quite noisy animals. And the noises that they make help us understand how they’re feeling, know about their health, and even gauge how well they like their home. In the rest of this article, we will talk more about hamster purring and other sounds that hamsters make.
Do Hamsters Purr When You Pet Them?
Unlike cats, hamsters do not purr. But they do make “bruxing” sounds, which are similar to cat purrs. Hamsters make bruxing sounds by rapidly clicking their teeth together, which is usually a sign that they are happy, relaxed, or enjoying their meal.
If you notice your pet hamster making bruxing noises, you can rest easy that your pet is feeling comfortable in its environment. There is usually no one trigger that can coax this sound out of a hamster, though. But they tend to make this sound during play, when munching on chew toys, and even when nesting.
Do Chinese Dwarf Hamsters Purr?
Just like any hamster, Chinese dwarf hamsters do not purr in the same way that cats do. Instead, they make “bruxing” or clicking sounds by rubbing their teeth together when they are in a positive mood. Bruxing can sound similar to the purring of cats and is a sign that a hamster is in a good state.
Other Noises that Hamsters Make and What They Mean
Hamsters can communicate how their feel to their owners by making different kinds of sounds. If you have had several hamsters over the years, you know that they are hardly ever still or completely quiet. If they are, that can be a warning sign that something is wrong. Your hamster may be in pain, afraid, or tense.
To understand your hamster better, here are other noises (aside from bruxing) that they make and what they mean.
Squeaking
A happy and excited hamster is a squeaking hamster. When they are really enjoying themselves, hamsters just can’t help but squeak. These are quick, tiny noises that erupt from their mouths when they’re running around, chewing, playing, and eating.
If your hamster often squeaks when you come near or when you pick it up, take it as a sign that it likes you–a lot. Hamsters are often uncomfortable when handled, especially picked up, no matter how gently. So when they make those little squeaky noises when you’re close, you’re no doubt their favorite human.
However, hamsters can make sudden squeaking sounds when they hurt themselves, too. In instances when they fall, are dropped, or get injured, they will usually let out a loud squeak. Notice that this squeaking is a little different from happy squeaking, as it’s more sudden, erupts just once, and louder than usual.
Happy squeaking, on the other hand, is quite consistent. Hamsters let out several squeaks after another during play or while doing something they enjoy. Younger hamsters are also more likely to squeak a lot as compared to mature ones.
Sharp Hissing
When you read the word “hiss,” you might imagine the low hissing sound that snakes make. That’s not the kind of hissing that hamsters make. Hamsters let out a sharp, loud, and prolonged hissing noise when they are experiencing discomfort.
It can be due to a new environment, such as a new cage or a new owner, pain, a health issue, fear, anxiety, or even anger. Most hamsters that display this behavior do so when they are unfamiliar with their environment or when they are in the presence of something that intimidates them, such as a larger animal.
If your hamster is hissing and would not stop, try these things to determine what’s causing the discomfort:
- Put it in a different–maybe bigger–cage
- Remove the toys or replace them with different ones
- Place the cage in a different location, preferably somewhere out of reach of a larger pet like a cat or a dog
- Turn off any loud music or put the cage in a quiet room
- Keep the cage out of reach of kids or other people until your hamster is accustomed to humans
You can also try to observe whether the hissing is set off by you leaving the room. Some hamsters get anxious when they are left alone, especially when the environment is new. If nothing seems to help stop the hissing, bring your hamster to the vet.
Screaming
If hissing is a sign of discomfort, a hamster’s scream or cry is a sure sign of extreme discomfort. A hamster’s scream tends to be loud, sharp, and prolonged and can be set off when they are in intense pain, fear, or anxiety.
Some hamsters scream or cry after an injury or trauma, such as a fall from a high place. Others may scream when you try to pick them up, especially if they haven’t gotten used to you yet.
If your hamster is screaming, you can try a few things to help calm it down:
- Place a tasty treat, like a tiny bit of fruit or vegetable, in its cage
- Leave the hamster alone for now and refrain from putting your hand inside the cage until it has calmed down
- Put the cage in a quiet room away from larger pets
- Allow your hamster to slowly get used to you by maintaining a schedule for when you come near or bring food
- Speak in a gentle, soothing manner to your hamster
- Play soft, calming music, but make sure to keep the volume low
If the screaming or crying continues, you might want to pay your vet a visit. Your hamster could be suffering from intense pain.
Chirping
Birds chirp, and so do hamsters. These cute little noises sound very much like the chirping of birds and are a sign that your hamster is enjoying itself very much. You will notice that they chirp at mealtime, when exploring a new toy, or while relishing a really tasty treat.
Just like with squeaking, however, hamsters may also chirp when they are not feeling very good, such as when they injure themselves or become afraid of something.
You can try these tips to keep your hamster happy:
- Provide toys that will encourage plenty of playtime and exercise
- Observe which kinds of toys your hamster enjoys the most and give more of those
- Offer treats, but only in very small amounts
- Clean its cage regularly
- Allow your pet some time out of the cage every now and then (of course, with your supervision)
Final Thoughts
The sounds that hamsters make can mean both positive and negative. It’s important to observe your hamster’s behavior and not just rely on the sounds themselves. The situation during which they make these sounds will help you understand whether they’re happy or stressed.