Apart from being fun and lovely pets, hamsters are also smart creatures you can play with and teach basic tricks. Teddy bear hamsters, also called long-haired Syrian hamsters, are no different.
Teddy bear hamsters are smart enough to learn basic tricks (such as standing, jumping, and rolling over), recognize their owner, and play with mazes. However, they are less social than other hamster species, which is why teaching them can be more challenging.
Read on to find out more about the intellectual abilities of teddy bear hamsters and how you can effectively teach them, as well as what games they enjoy playing.
Are Teddy Bear Hamsters Intelligent?
Like most rodents, hamsters are smart and curious creatures, and teddy bear hamsters are no exception. While they’re not as intelligent as cats and dogs and can only learn basic tricks, their abilities are greater than you may think.
Teddy bear hamsters can learn to recognize their name if they hear it regularly, especially during training. Hearing the same word often and receiving treats after responding to it will teach the hamster to react when you call them.
They will also recognize you after spending enough time in your care. In fact, hamsters’ brains, in terms of recognition, are very similar to ours. Hamsters’ vision is far from ideal, so they won’t be able to make out your features, but they’ll get used to your smell and voice and associate it with you — their owner who provides them with food and love.
Teddy bear hamsters can also be taught tricks. In their natural habitat, they spend most of their time looking for food and have a good memory regarding where treats can be acquired. This allows for effective training: they can learn to respond to your commands in exchange for yummy rewards.
Patience and consistency are key here. Your pet will need regular training over a decent amount of time to master the new skills. Each animal is a little different, and some hamsters will be smarter than others, so you will have to consider the individual abilities of your pet, too.
Teddy bear hamsters are not very social. They don’t enjoy the company of other hamsters and can be harder to handle. To ensure they feel comfortable with you, gently handle them daily from a young age. This will establish the basis for your interaction and make it easier to play with your pet and teach it tricks.
When it comes to games, mazes are what teddy bear hamsters love the most. Start by introducing simple mazes and make them more challenging as your pet memorizes the correct routes. At the end of the maze, there should always be a rewarding treat.
How To Teach Your Teddy Bear Hamster Tricks
The main incentive for teddy bear hamsters is treats, so giving them something extraordinary as a reward will significantly boost their learning process.
Another key point in teaching your pet is consistency: teddy bear hamsters have poor short-term memory, so only regular training will bring satisfying results, while even a day or two without exercise can undermine progress.
Here are some of the tricks you can teach your teddy bear hamster:
Standing
This trick is one of the easiest to teach, as standing up to reach for food is natural for hamsters, and they can quickly pick up on what they’re supposed to do.
Hold a treat above your pet’s head to make it reach for the food. When the hamster stands up, say “Stand” and give them their reward. After several repetitions, start by saying “Stand” and only then show them the treat.
Jumping
You can teach a teddy bear hamster to jump similarly to the previous trick, only you need to hold the treat higher in order for your pet to leap for it. When they do it, say “Jump” and reward them; then start with the command and only then provide the treat.
Rolling Over
Show your teddy bear hamster the treat, then put it on your pet’s back to make them reach for it. If the hamster doesn’t figure out what to do, help them with your hand. Reward them once they successfully roll over. Don’t forget to accompany this exercise with a vocal command.
Conclusion
Teddy bear hamsters are rather smart pets. They can recognize their owner, respond to their name, play in mazes, and learn basic tricks, such as standing, jumping, and rolling over. You can have a lot of fun with your teddy bear hamster.