One of the most common concerns among hamster owners is their pet escaping. With its tiny size, it’s normal to be highly concerned if your hamster has escaped from its cage. So, how long can a hamster survive?
A lost hamster can usually survive on its own for about 4 days, although some are found safely even after a couple of weeks. Their sharp sense of smell allows hamsters to find their way back to their cages. However, when they are lost for several weeks, it’s unlikely that they’ll arrive home safely.
This article will discuss what to do if your hamster is lost. I’ll also explain why hamsters might escape. Let’s get started!
What To Do If Your Hamster Is Lost
As curious animals, hamsters love exploring, and it’s normal for them to want to explore the area beyond their cages. Unfortunately, hamsters are tiny and if they escape, it can be difficult to find them because they can easily slip into small crevices.
If your hamster is lost, here are some helpful tips on what to do:
Look for Your Hamster As Soon As Possible
Domestic hamsters have become used to receiving food and water from their owners and will find it challenging to feed themselves, making it essential to look for your hamster as soon as possible.
To increase your chances of finding your hamster in good condition, start searching for them as soon as you notice they’re missing.
Check in Dark, Narrow Places
As mentioned above, hamsters love exploring, and they enjoy small, dark, and narrow places. If your hamster is missing from its cage, it’s likely that it’s hiding away somewhere and sleeping.
Places to look for your hamster include:
- Behind the couch and other furniture
- Underneath rugs
- Inside open closets
- Behind doors
Leave The Cage Open
After exploring the area outside its cage, your hamster will want to return to its home after a few hours. Your hamster knows its cage is where it can find food, water, and familiar entertainment, such as its hamster wheel.
Leaving your hamster’s cage door open is important as your hamster may soon return. Be sure to check the cage every half an hour to see if it has returned. If so, close the door to prevent the hamster from escaping again.
Leave Treats Out
Hamsters have a very sharp sense of smell, and they will know when there’s food nearby. They won’t be able to resist moving toward their favorite treat.
To coax your hamster out of hiding, you can spread treat traps that will allow you to lure it out and collect them safely.
One way to do this is to set up a trail of treats into a shallow bowl. Once your hamster spots the treats, it will follow them until they are inside the bowl. As soon as the hamster is inside the bowl, you can pick it up and transport your pet safely back into its cage.
Listen for Hamster Noises
You’ll know when a hamster is nearby because they often make noises when they’re active. These can vary from purring sounds to squealing to hissing. Try turning off music and other appliances that make noise to hear your hamster more clearly.
When you hear hamster noises, approach the source of the sounds slowly and quietly. You don’t want to scare your hamster away by making sudden gestures or loud noises.
Why Do Hamsters Escape?
As a hamster owner, you probably strive to give your pet everything it needs to have a happy and healthy life. So, why would your hamster want to escape, and can you do anything to prevent it?
Hamsters Love Exploring
Hamsters are naturally curious and eager to explore, and the tiny gaps in their cage can be irresistible to them, making them want to see what will happen if they escape. You might notice tiny bite marks if your hamster has a plastic cage.
It’s worth ensuring that your hamster’s cage is secure and the door shuts closed firmly.
Your Hamster’s Cage Is Too Small
Cages that are too small may not offer enough space for your hamster to exercise, making it even more eager to explore the area around it. If your hamster has tried to escape before, you might consider buying a larger cage so your pet can be more comfortable.
Your Hamster Is Bored
A bored hamster will want to escape. If you haven’t provided enough toys and in-cage entertainment for your hamster, they may try and escape. Hamsters love toys, such as hamster wheels and items they can chew. Thankfully, hamster toys are relatively inexpensive and widely available.
Conclusion
Hamsters are naturally amazing escape artists that find it very hard to sit still. They will climb, chew, and jump into and out of almost anything in front of them, which is why they often can escape. To keep your hamster safe, make sure to use a bite-proof cage and give your pet lots of stimulating toys. That way, they won’t want to go anywhere else.