You might already know that hamsters can be stressed if you have a hamster. Although it’s something that you probably can’t avoid as a pet owner, there are things you can do to help your hammy live a healthy and stress-free life.
Stress in pets can cause them to develop physical and psychological symptoms. A pet hamster can die from too much stress. It can be avoided by recognizing the signs of stress and anxiety in your hamster. Read on to learn the common causes of stress in hamsters and how you can prevent them.
What Causes Stress in Hamsters?
Hamsters naturally live in an arid habitat that does not provide them with abundant food, water, or shelter. In addition, they are constantly under extreme pressure that their instincts and behavior should reasonably balance. But most domestic hamsters have no such instincts or behavior.
As the hamsters are susceptible, they are prone to suffering from stress. Unfortunately, sometimes we get very busy and don’t even have time to notice when our pets suffer from anxiety. But we need to be aware of it and look for signs of stress in our hamsters.
There may be many reasons behind the stress of hamsters, so you have to keep an eye out to know what is causing your pet distress. Certain things can make your hamster stressed, like:
a. Lack of Proper Exercise and Food
Make sure that your pet does enough exercise. Exercise is essential for their health and helps relieve stress and tension. You may have to tire your pet out by playing with it or giving it a running or exercise wheel.
The proper food is also essential for their well-being as it can make them happy and healthy. You can consult your vet for a proper diet for your pet or give your pet fresh vegetables and fruit if allowed to eat those things.
b. A Change in Environment
Hamsters are sensitive to their environment, and any changes in their environment can trigger stress reactions and cause them to develop anxiety, fear, and other psychological problems. Therefore, you should ensure that your hamster gets enough attention and shelter.
Sometimes changes in your hamster’s environment may also cause it to develop stress-related disorders. Ensure that you keep them away from loud noises, bright lights, and unfamiliar pets.
c. Being in a small cage
If your hamster is living in a cage, make sure it is big enough and has enough space to climb and run around. Also, it would help if you kept your hamster’s cage clean so that it doesn’t get sick from bacteria or germs.
d. Hamsters don’t like Loud Noises
The hamsters are so sensitive that they may become stressed when hearing loud noises. So make sure that you avoid loud noises that may trigger stress and illness in your pet. Try to keep them in a quiet place in your house or elsewhere so they can feel safe and secure without exposure to loud noises.
e. Sickness
Sometimes your hamster may become sick or injured due to aggression or accidents with other animals or toys. Hamsters are also prone to developing respiratory problems caused by stress. These conditions may be very stressful for the hamsters, and it is also the worst thing for them because they can’t escape the stress.
f. Lack of Attention
Another cause of stress in pet hamsters is a lack of attention or neglect from their owners and other family members, friends, or children. Hamsters are very social creatures and need a lot of attention and care from their owners.
Lack of attention and care from their owners can frustrate them and act as stress for them. Even if they aren’t sick or injured, being ignored or not being cared for properly can cause them to become stressed and develop anxiety and other psychological disorders.
Symptoms of Stress in Hamsters
If you are doubting whether your hamster is suffering from stress or anxiety, you should look out for the following signs:
a. Behavioral changes
Check behavioral changes like destructive behavior, compulsive running, and nervousness, anxiety symptoms in pet hamsters.
b. Hair loss or pulling out fur
Sometimes, the hairs of your hamster may come out in clumps, or they may start pulling their hair or hair out by the roots. Hair loss and pulling out your fur can be symptoms of stress and anxiety in hamsters.
c. Wet-tail
A damp tail is a skin-nourishing lubricant that hamsters produce to communicate with one another. If your hamster’s tail is always wet or drips with saliva, it can point to a stressful situation or illness. It can cause a deadly infection that can be dangerous for your hamster. It is a very prominent and visible sign of stress in hamsters, so keep an eye on it.
d. Chewing on things
As your hamster tries to relieve anxiety, it may chew on things. So if your hamster is chewing on things like wires or toys, then it may be a sign of stress or anxiety in your pet.
e. Digging
Like chewing, hamsters may also dig or roll around in the dirt to relieve anxiety or stress. So, if you notice your hamster digging or rolling around in the dirt, consider it a sign of stress or anxiety.
f. Getting sick
If your hamster suddenly becomes sickly and frequently ill, it could be due to stress or anxiety in your pet hamster.
g. Aggression
If your hamster is aggressive towards you or other animals, it may signify anxiety or stress in your pet hamster. Some aggression is average for hamsters, but if it becomes aggressive all the time and does not settle down, then you may want to consult a vet.
h. Screaming
Hamsters tend to be tranquil animals, so if you notice your hamster is making loud, high-pitched noises, it can signify a health problem or stress. If you see your hamster making these noises often or for long periods, you should look out for other symptoms.
i. Lying in a corner
If your hamster hides in his cage, it may suffer from anxiety. Hamsters usually stay in their nests most of the time, but if your hamster is hiding there and never comes out, it may be a sign of stress and anxiety in your pet.
How to Manage Stress in Hamsters?
Stress can lead a Hamster to death, so we need to manage stress in hamsters. If you are a hamster owner, you must know how to get rid of anxiety in your pet. Here are some common ways to manage the stress of hamsters:
1. Keep Them in a Comfortable Environment
Hamsters love to be comfortable, so try to keep your hamster in a quiet place without any loud noises and bright lights so that it does not become stressed or anxious! It will help if you keep your hamster in an environment where it can feel secure and safe.
2. Play with your Hamster
Playing with your hamster can be very soothing for them, and it can also help them relieve stress and anxiety. So make sure you have time and energy to play with your hamster daily. Playing with your hamster can be one of the best ways to get rid of stress in hamsters.
3. Provide Good Food and Water
A healthy diet is essential for the health of our pets, and hamsters are no different. So make sure to feed your hamster a well-balanced diet and fresh food daily. Also, make sure your pet has access to fresh, clean water.
4. Take Care of your Pet
Pets need a lot of attention and care from their owners! So if you have time to give your pet some love and affection, you should do it. Taking adequate care of your pet can help it stay calm and relaxed.
5. Put Them in a Bigger Cage
If your hamster lives in a small cage that cannot move around, play or exercise, it may be stressed or anxious! So it would help if you give your hamster a giant cage with enough space to move around and run around.
6. Keep Them Away From Loud Noises
Loud noises can be very stressful for hamsters, and they may cause them to get sick. If your hamster is very sensitive to loud noises, you should keep the loud noises out of the house or somewhere your hamster can’t hear them.
Can a Hamster Die for Stress?
Hamsters are social creatures living in very confined spaces where they can’t move around much. So sometimes, their living conditions can cause stress and anxiety to them. Stress and anxiety in hamsters can be dangerous as they are very prone to developing psychological disorders.
Stress and anxiety in your hamster can lead to other serious health problems such as heart disease, respiratory infections, etc. It can also cause your hamster to die prematurely.
So if your hamster gets sick too often or is suffering from stress and anxiety, you should consult a vet immediately.
What did we learn from all this?
We hope you got all answers to your questions about stress and anxiety in pet hamsters. Yes, a hamster can die due to stress and anxiety. So we need to know how to manage anxiety and stress in pets and avoid it in the first place.