Do Hamsters Snore?

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If you own a hamster, you may have noticed them make strange noises while they sleep at night or take a nap during the day. But what exactly are these noises? Do hamsters snore? 

Hamsters snore only when they are tired or have allergies. Though there isn’t any scientific evidence that suggests hamsters produce the same kind of snoring sound that humans do, some hamster parents report hearing faint snoring noises from them during nap time.

We all know the sounds our pets make can be pretty amusing when a soft snore emanates from our furry friends as they nap. But have you ever wondered if hamsters snore? Turns out they might! Here’s what we know about them and their potential causes for snoring.

What Causes a Hamster To Snore?

There are a few reasons why your hamster might snore. One reason is that they are tired from all the running on the wheel and make noises when they sleep. Another reason could be that your hamster suffers from a cold, a respiratory illness, or allergies.

Do you ever hear your hamster make a soft snoring sound and wonder why that happens?

Well, you’re not alone. Many hamster owners have reported hearing their furry friends make this noise. One owner has even recorded their hamster snoring in this cute YouTube video (make sure to turn your volume up):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upOROpWanKo

Hamsters are known to be very active at night, so it’s no surprise that they would make some noise while sleeping. There are a few reasons why your hamster might be making noises in its sleep.

One reason is that hamsters are dreamers! Just like humans, hamsters experience REM sleep, where they can dream. During this sleep phase, hamsters may make soft chirping noises as their brain activity increases.

Alternatively, it could be because they’re tired from all the running around they do during the day. Hamsters are very active creatures and need to burn a lot of energy.

So, if you notice your hamster snoring more often, it could be because they’re exhausted from their busy day.

One common problem for hamsters’ snoring is allergies. If you notice your hamster snores every night, it might have some kind of allergy.

Just like humans, hamsters can be allergic to various things, but their bedding is typically the source of the problem. If you’ve noticed your hamster sneezing or scratching more than usual, it’s time to take a closer look at their bedding. 

Even if you have been using the same bedding for a while, it can suddenly become a problem. If you suspect its bedding is to blame, try switching to a different type and see if that makes a difference.

Another common cause of snoring is temperature. Hamsters are sensitive to temperature and can’t regulate their body heat as we do. If your hamster is too hot or too cold, it will start to snore. 

It’s always best to consult with a veterinarian. They can help you determine if there’s anything else going on that might be causing your hamster to snore. 

How Can You Tell if Your Hamster Is Snoring?

Hamsters rarely make any noise besides squeaking and screaming. So it’s baffling to figure out when they’re snoring. However, there are a few telltale signs that your hamster is snoring:

  • First, listen to your hammy while it sleeps. If you hear a soft, consistent sound from your hamster’s cage, it’s probably just happy snoring sounds.
  • You can also look for physical signs of snoring. If your hamster’s mouth is open and its chest is moving up and down rhythmically, it’s a good indication that it’s snoring.
  • Wheezing and clicking noises are most certain if your hamster snores at night. This could mean it’s stressed, feeling captivated, or has an allergy.

Snoring is perfectly normal, and it’s actually a good thing. As long as your hamster continues to eat, drink, play and move around, you can rest easy. 

But if your hamster snores too much, nasal issues may be involved. This could be a sign of an infection or other medical problem.

Do All Hamsters Snore?

Not all hamsters snore. It all depends on the individual hamster’s anatomy, age, and sleeping habits. If your hamster is a noisy sleeper, there’s no need to worry. It’s perfectly normal for them to make some noise in their sleep. 

While it’s true that some hamsters do make noise while they sleep, it’s important to remember that not all hamsters snore. In fact, many hamsters don’t make any noise at all when they’re asleep.

If the hamster remains inactive during the day but tries to sleep at night as it has nothing to do when everybody is sleeping around. It feels restless and makes noises in its sleep.

On the other hand, if the hamster has any sickness or respiratory illness, it will certainly snore while sleeping as it’s stressed out. 

Also, if your hamster has become too old to sleep comfortably, it could start snoring.

So unless you’ve got one hammy like that, you don’t have to worry if your little friend will snore too or not.

Is Snoring Harmful To Hamsters? 

Hamsters usually snore when they’re asleep, and it’s generally not something to worry about. However, suppose your hamster is snoring excessively or loudly.

In that case, it could be a sign of a respiratory problem or infesting any other symptoms of illness, such as difficulty breathing or wheezing. 

Hamsters are known for being relatively quiet creatures, so it can be surprising to hear them make any noise. But some hamsters do snore, and it’s perfectly normal.

However, there are a few things to consider if your hamster is a chronic snorer. 

  • For one, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition. If your hamster is snoring more than usual, or if the snoring is accompanied by other symptoms like weight loss or difficulty breathing, it’s best to take them to the vet for a check-up.
  • The other thing to consider is whether or not your hamster’s snoring affects its daily activities. Hamsters are habitual to certain routines and activities as they are rodents and go into hibernation. So if they don’t follow an active routine daily, it could stress them out, resulting in chronic snoring problems.
  • They need to get quality sleep. Hamsters, being wild creatures, need to sleep 12–14 hours during the day. But in the case of pet hammies, they remain captive in the cage for almost 24 hours and cannot decide whether to sleep during the daytime. As a result, they don’t get enough sleep at night.

So make a healthy routine for your hamster to get a good night’s sleep. By establishing a proper sleep schedule, for at least 8–10 hours, you’ll help your little friend to stop snoring. 

Final Thoughts

We all know that hamsters are cute and cuddly and make great pets. But did you know that they also snore?

It turns out that it’s all due to their habits and anatomy. When hamsters fall short of an active routine or quality sleep schedule or catch any allergy, they start to snore.

Alternatively, snoring also means the hamster has got some kind of respiratory illness.

Interestingly, not all hamsters snore equally. Older, less active hamsters snore more than younger ones. 

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