23 Hamster Behaviours 🐹

Have you ever wondered what your hamster was trying to tell you? Well, today we discuss all of the different behaviours your hamster may display and what they mean, from squeaking to their tail sticking up to scent marking we talk about them all!

Thank you to everyone who submitted clips for me to use in the video as examples! I know many mentioned being a bit embarrassed to share their clips with bad behaviour but do know showing these behaviours is extremely helpful and educational to others! Please do not bother anyone mentioned in the video that shared their clips, many are old footage back when they didn't know proper care (and have since learned!).

Remember if your hamster suddenly changes behaviour it's best to see your local exotic vet as it can indicate something is wrong.

Ps If youre wondering why Waddles wasn’t used as barely any examples thats because he’s a CIA Robot and they clearly forgot to program him with regular behaviours as simple as grooming 😂 /j

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0:00 intro
0:19 bar bitting
1:25 Monkey barring
2:11 cage pacing
2:30 wall scaling
3:00 backflipping / stargazing
3:23 hissing & screaming
3:45 open mouth
4:02 Squeaking
4:58 teeth chattering
5:40 freezing
6:04 grooming
6:33 itching
6:51 Tail sticking up
7:48 scent marking
8:20 stuffing their cheeks
8:35 un-pouching their cheeks
9:20 burrowing
9:34 laying flat in wheel/cage
9:56 ears back, close to ground
10:12 yawning
10:24 nibbling
10:53 biting
11:16 licking you

[VictoriaRaechel]

Happy Saturday 😻 I’m so excited I have a bunch of videos in the works including even some EXTRA uploads for you all ❤️ I’ve really been enjoying the content I’ve been creating lately which it’s been a while since I’ve felt this way!

[lloydgarland]

Never had a talkative hamster - had one that snored once, fell asleep on his back. Had one scream at me on his way home from the vets but that's about it! Great educational video :)

[soowonjeong]

i love it when hamsters yawn. it’s a uncontrollable type of cute. they look like lil babies

[flexknits]

Will never forget one time I had to clean my first hamster’s “bedroom” (he slept in a jar underneath a platform). I gently tilted the jar over to get him out, and once he was out, he stood on his back legs, raised his arms, and showed me his teeth 😂 he looked like a tiny bear. I know that it was a defensive behavior but he was quite the dramatic one.

[Bailey-onmc]

I don’t know why I’m watching this I don’t even have a hamster

[emmaw]

My hamster was extremely talkative. She used to love to squeak, click, chirp, and sometimes coo. She would usually chirp when I come into the room or if I'm about to give her a treat :3

[alyy.]

At PetSmart, when the lady was getting him (My hamster) out, he was hissing, trying to jump out of her hands, and doing the louder teeth chattering, now he has a better life in an APPROPRIATE cage. He is so calm now, and settling into his cage well! (For one night!) I think the cage size, food, bedding, wheel, and hideout are what make him so calm. He seems so mellow!

[paige-wiens]

It took alot of trial and error to find my hamster the right home. She only stopped wall scalling and other bored behaviors after I moved her to a 2, 00 square inch cage. She also requires 40 minute free time every night. I can honestly only thank you for that, you helped teach me what she needs and how I can supplies it. She's all worth it thought 🥰

[evelyncore]

I’m an animal care student, I love watching your videos, you’re incredibly informative and it’s so nice to see you putting out videos for an often mistreated animal’s welfare!

[savanna]

My hamster recently passed away. We found him lifeless in his burrow 2 days ago. I had never had a hamster before but I learned so much through your videos. I’ve grown to love hamsters and believe I gave mine the best care. I would have made a year of having him next week. Thank you so much for making these videos 🤍

[tiffanypacheco]

Wow, I’ve watched about 3 of your videos so far and I didn’t know half of these things…. Growing up, parents just get you hamsters but none of us are informed. My hamsters always were monkey barring and gnawing at the bars… but now that I think about it the cages were def too small. Now I’m a parent myself and trying to educate myself before getting a hamster. Thanks for your content!

[mbfjxxr]

I wish people spoke more about social hamsters. Sometimes their behavior can come across as stress but it’s not. I have a very sociable boy and as he’s gotten older he absolutely LOVES cuddles and spending a lot of time with me. Whenever he hears me he runs right over to the glass waiting for my hand. To others this may seem like stress but it’s absolutely not. If he doesn’t see me he’s happy foraging but the moment he hears or sees me he wants to cuddle and kiss me 😅 he enjoys daily massages 2 🥺

[magne]

By the time we made it home, my old boi Ridley got my scent- and within three days, was comfortable with me. Hell, the first time I placed his wheel, he played so much it toppled(my bad). He was obviously distressed, and sat back to watch as I fixed it for him. Only a few days later he was climbing a little wall divider I'd put in his bin, dangling by his lil hands with his butt in the air. Once I'd given him a boost, he clamored right up and looked me straight in the eye. Ever since, he was a pure sweetheart, and would actively seek my attention whenever he needed something or wanted attention.

Because of those interactions, he became a clumsy lil climber- which worried me at first, but it became very clear that he was doing it for fun. He was extremely smart, and context sensitive. Your little babies might have more personality than you know. Remember that, and keep them happy & engaged.

[myaarey]

You’ve taught me what I know from a young age to now 20! I have a long haired Syrian who is my world and adores to be held and hanging with me. He lives in a 33 by 25 by 15 big cage with a ton of toys, hides, chews, 10 inch wheel, etc! I will soon be adding a second level for maximum mental stimulation haha! Thank you again for teaching me all that I know!

[hellokaylee]

I wish my 8 year old self knew about these behaviors. I used to see lots of these behaviors with my first ever hamster and thought it was a normal behavior. Now I know it’s not normal.

[SilentlyMysterius]

My Lena (russian dwarf) was found laying flat on her cage. I picked her up and noticed she was barely breathing. Sometime later she started licking my fingers while her eyes were barely open. About 35 minutes later, she passed in my hands.

This happened 8 months ago, I realise I probably could've done something to help her which would've allowed her to survive. I have never felt such an emotional connection with anyone or anything. I still miss her.

Edit: I think Lena may have been a puppy in her last life. She was very sociable, always wanting my attention. Even when I had her out to play I'd text with someone. She would then climb up my arm and onto my phone, as if to say "I'm here to play, not them".

[thefuntasticfive]

Thanks for the video, Victoria! I showed it to my family and friends and they finally understood why bar biting, cage pacing and monkey baring were not good signs or indications and were FINALLY convinced to get their hamsters a larger enclosure!!!

[jiggyscribble]

I’m a new teen hamster owner and I watched lots of your videos to get the right enclosure and supplies for him, I’ve had him for a day so I watched this video and I’m so glad hes not projecting any of these stress signs and seems really happy and relaxed in the enclosure. Thank you so so much!

[lexochewie]

Even though I don't have my hamster anymore. I still love to watch your videos they're so informative and adorable.

[val-yvck]

no but I really appreciate you! I bought a hamster out of impulse the day before my birthday but she’s now the love of my life. I did so much research when I got home because I knew that they don’t live for long and I wanted her short life to be a good one 🥺 I’d like to say she’s content, when I call out her name (Doodle) she stands on her hind legs and then runs over to the side of the cage and waits for me to pick her up. she runs all over me before eventually falling asleep while petting her! she’s never bitten me or has ever tried to run away when I attempt to handle her, she eats food out of my hand (sometimes eats it while I hold it), etc. your videos have helped me become what I am now for my little girl 🥺 I can’t wait to learn more and continue to grow and provide for my little Doodle-bug.