How to Make Hamsters Happy

We all want our pets to be happy, no matter what kind of animal they are. For the most part, pets, even hamsters, can be made content with the correct amount of attention and stimulation. So, how to make hamsters happy? The appropriate maintenance of a hamster, despite its reputation as one of the simpler pets, takes some effort on the part of the owner.

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There is nothing more important than making sure your pet hamster is properly cared for. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, there are a number of additional options available to you. In this post, we’ll go over some of the “bonus material.”

Here are some ideas to make your hamster a little happier.

Ideas to Make Hamsters Happy

1. Show Them Affection

Touchy-feely humans are the norm. They want to embrace and care for their pets. For us, it’s entirely normal, but for our hamsters, it may be anything but normal. Petting hamsters is a popular pastime for several of these rodents. Pet your hamster if that’s how you feel about it.

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In contrast, some hamsters find human hands a little unnerving and prefer to avoid them. Since caressing your hamster excessively might cause stress, it’s best to refrain from doing so in this scenario. This isn’t as uncommon as you may assume since most hamsters live alone in the wild. It is fairly uncommon for hamsters to be aloof and uninterested in human contact.

2. Make Their Cage Feel Natural

The best way to keep hamsters happy is to provide them with natural habitat. Problems arise when the hamster is placed in an environment that is significantly different from what it has developed to cope with. Bring in any natural elements that your hamster would come into contact with if it were to roam free.

You should make sure that any new addition to the cage is safe for your hamster before putting it in there. Pesticides and other chemical additives should be avoided.

3. Enrichment is Essential

Hamsters need a lot of enrichment. It’s a need, not a fad or a gimmick. Hamsters, like other animals, need food and water in order to thrive. Toys are a simple way to deliver a lot of enrichment. To keep your hamster interested, it’s a good idea to rotate his or her toys on a regular basis.

They become bored with the same thing over and over again. Hamsters are no different. Toys that have been used for months might suddenly become exciting again if you swap them around. It’s a simple technique to keep things exciting for your hamster.

4. Provide Deep Bedding

Hamsters have a natural affinity for burrowing. This is where they sleep and conceal their food, and it’s a common location. In order to keep hamsters safe, it is important to provide them with a lot of space to burrow.

As a result, their bedding should be deeper than normal. As a result of their small size, hamsters need just a small amount of vertical clearance. You may take advantage of this by giving them a lot of linen to sleep on.

5. Consider Treats

Treats are a simple way to help a hamster feel better. Our hamsters will appreciate their favorite meals just as much as we enjoy our own. Healthy treats like vegetables and fruits are always welcome. You should always do your homework before giving your hamster any food since certain vegetables are better for him than others. Nuts and seeds may also be good for your hamster and can be just as nutritious.

Keep in mind that giving your hamster too much food might lead to weight gain. You don’t want them to rely only on sweets to sustain themselves. In addition, they must eat a lot of their regular diet.

6. Add a Tunneling System

Hamsters are excellent tunnelers because they were born that way. This is what they do on a daily basis. Just as in the wild, a hamster left alone in its cage will attempt to build tunnels. However, they are typically constrained in their capacity to do so. Even hamster cage bedding isn’t suitable for the creatures. Tunneling systems are regularly built for these animals by their owners.

Using pre-made plastic tunnels is a quick and simple solution. These, though, are a little pricey. If you want a large set-up, be prepared to shell out a significant sum of money. Paper towel rolls and plastic bottles may also be used to create your own DIY tunnels. Of course, this takes more time and effort, and the end result is less appealing, but the cost savings far outweigh the drawbacks.

7. Use an Exercise Wheel

Hamsters run a lot in the wild. As much as five miles is the typical distance that a hamster will run each evening while searching for its next meal or partner. They can’t do this in captivity, of course. For this reason alone, an exercise wheel is a must. Make sure that the hamsters have a chance to run about.

It is not a gimmick to use an exercise wheel. This toy is essential for every hamster’s well-being. They’ll gain weight and become bored if they don’t have one. You may choose from a wide variety of hamster wheels. It is possible to have two hamsters in the same cage if it is large enough.

8. Fresh Water is Always Better

There is a surprising quantity of water used by hamsters each day. Having a bigger cage means your hamster will be moving about more, and this is particularly important if your hamster is active. Your hamster’s health depends on having access to clean water at all times. Your hamster will not be happy or healthy if it does not have enough water.

It’s a popular misconception that hamsters don’t need a lot of water since they’re desert rodents. Despite the fact that hamsters can go for lengthy periods of time without water, this does not mean that they are healthy. Hamsters should have access to fresh water at all times when living in captivity.

9. Provide a Complete Diet

When it comes to feeding your hamster, “just good enough” is often acceptable. It’s possible for your hamster to survive on commercial food, but that doesn’t always imply that it will flourish. Optimizing your hamster’s nutrition is one of the first steps toward keeping them happy. If you feed your hamster the right food, he or she will be a lot happier and healthier.

Commercial hamster diets aren’t the only option. Substitute fresh meals wherever possible. In the long run, this will benefit your hamster’s well-being.

10. Provide a Bigger Cage

Since hamsters spend most of their waking hours in their cage, it’s critical that you choose a large enough one. For hamsters to be happy and healthy, they require both mental and physical stimulation. In many cases, having a bigger cage makes these tasks simpler.

A single hamster in the wild may cover a significant amount of ground. Even though we won’t be providing our hamsters much room, it’s beneficial to go above and above their normal needs. Even though hamsters are little creatures, that doesn’t mean they like cramped quarters.

Things like burrows, toys, and physical necessities should be provided for hamsters. Furthermore, a wider enclosure guarantees that the hamster receives the necessary amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and physical fitness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are some frequently asked questions related to how to make hamsters happy.

1. How do you show love to hamsters?

One method to show your hamster how much you care is by gently touching its fur. Hand-feeding her veggies or non-sugary cereal is another option. Hamsters prefer to sleep on their owners’ shoulders or in their shirtsleeves because they feel safe and secure there.

2. How do I make my unhappy hamster happy?

You can ensure that your hamster gets adequate exercise by spending time with them every day and letting them explore outside of their cage. Hamsters are naturally curious, and this will have a direct impact on their happiness.

3. What is a hamster’s favorite treat?

Hamsters’ favorite foods are apples, pears, strawberries, and bananas. As a supplement, they should be used in moderation. If you don’t consume the veggies or fruits within 24 hours, throw them away!

Conclusion

Now that you’ve demonstrated that your hamsters are happy, you may be interested in learning more about what to put in their cage. Your hamsters will be happier and more relaxed in their cages if you take these steps.