Hamsters are often considered easy and low-effort “starter” pets. However, despite their small size and basic needs, hamsters are vulnerable to experiencing stress and anxiety, just like dogs, cats, and humans.
A stressed hamster can experience hair loss, aggression, and illness. In extreme circumstances, hamsters can die from too much stress. A clean cage, proper diet and enrichment, and a calm environment can all help alleviate stress and keep your hamster happy and healthy.
I will describe the signs that a hamster is stressed and explain what causes them to become stressed. Additionally, I’ll cover the risks associated with stress in hamsters and what you can do to help your pet relax.
What Are the Signs That My Hamster Is Stressed?
There are several signs that a hamster is experiencing stress. Your hamster may experience some of these symptoms and not others. A few are more obvious signs, while others may not come across as warning signs at first glance.
- Hair loss. Your hamster’s fur may begin to thin and fall out in clumps. They may also excessively groom themselves, which can result in bald spots.
- Changes in appetite. A stressed hamster may eat less or stop altogether. This can subsequently cause your hamster to grow lethargic and weak.
- Vocalizations. Hamsters usually do not make much noise. When stressed out, you may hear your hamster squeak or hiss, especially as a reaction to being picked up or held.
- Restlessness. Your hamster may exhibit unusual behavior if they are anxious and stressed. They might dig excessively through their cage lining, often in one corner of the enclosure. Additionally, a hamster may bite and chew on the bars if they are kept in a cage with bars.
- Aggression. When stressed, your hamster may become more aggressive and averse to being handled. In addition to squealing and hissing, your hamster may try to bite when you try to pick them up.
What Causes Hamsters To Get Stressed?
There are different ways that a hamster can become stressed. Some of these are easier to identify than others, such as environmental factors, but others may require a visit to your veterinarian to properly address and diagnose.
- Excessive light and noise. Hamsters are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn. They thrive in environments with low light and not much noise. If a hamster is kept in a room that is constantly lit and very noisy, it can throw off its natural sleep cycle (circadian rhythm) and cause distress.
- Poor diet. The average diet for a pet hamster consists of pellets and blocks. There are many different brands, and some may not provide your hamster with the nutrients they need to be sufficiently healthy and energized.
- Lack of space and enrichment. Although quite small, hamsters still require plenty of space to play, eat, and use the bathroom. If they are kept in a small cage that does not give them a lot of room to play and explore, it can negatively impact their health.
- Overstimulation. Hamsters require regular playtime and interaction with their owners. However, constantly being held and moved around can be overwhelming for them.
- Disease. It’s sometimes hard to tell if a hamster is sick without a veterinarian consultation. Keeping a close eye on changes in your hamster’s behavior, such as the stress indicators previously described, is important to ensure they are healthy.
What Are the Risks of My Hamster Getting Stressed?
While stress for humans is quite normal and can be easily managed, it can be much more harmful to small animals like hamsters. If a hamster becomes too stressed or the issue is not properly addressed, it can have dire consequences for your pet.
- Illness. As well as a potential source, stress can also cause a hamster to become sick. Common ailments for hamsters are wet-tail (diarrhea), dental issues, and parasites such as tapeworms. When under stress, a hamster’s immune system will not be operating at its full capacity, particularly if the hamster is not eating and drinking adequately.
- Death. Hamsters live an average of about two years if they are healthy. However, they can suffer premature death if they are under too much stress. Hamsters are small and fragile animals. Too much stress on their bodies and minds can shorten their lifespan.
How Can I Help My Hamster Be Less Stressed?
You can resolve stress in your hamster in a number of ways. Many of these solutions are very easy to implement and will likely improve your hamster’s well-being in no time. As well as alleviating stress, these are good choices to ensure any hamster is adequately cared for.
- A larger enclosure. Hamsters require adequate space for food, enrichment, and using the bathroom. A bigger cage will give your hamster dedicated spots to eat and defecate, as they will usually relieve themselves in the same area.
- Change in diet. It is important to know what foods are best suited for your hamster. If they are not a big fan of one brand of food, don’t be afraid to try others. You can also incorporate fresh fruits and veggies to give your hamster variety and keep them interested in what they’re eating.
- Less light and noise. Reducing the amount of light and noise will allow your hamster to sleep easier during inactive hours. A calmer environment will let your hamster relax and maintain a sleep-awake schedule that it is comfortable with.
- Keep larger pets away. If you live in a household that has other pets, such as cats and dogs, they will likely be curious about your hamster. A hamster may become easily nervous if a much bigger animal stares into their cage or makes noise. You should keep your hamster in a room other animals do not have access to or place their cage in a spot a dog or cat cannot easily see or reach.
- Introduce changes slowly. All of the above changes can be useful in de-stressing your hamster. However, no matter what methods you use, make sure to do them slowly to allow your hamster time to adjust. Making changes too quickly can further stress out your hamster rather than help them.
Conclusion
Hamsters are susceptible to stress, just like other animals. Some warning signs are hair loss, changes in appetite, vocalizations, restlessness, and aggressive behavior. Stress in hamsters can be caused by poor diet, too much light and noise, a lack of physical space and enrichment, overstimulation, and illness.
Too much stress can negatively impact your hamster by making them more vulnerable to illnesses and, in extreme cases, premature death. You can alleviate your hamster’s stress by giving them a spacious and clean enclosure, getting rid of excessive light and noise, and keeping bigger pets like cats and dogs away.