Anyone who has a golden hamster at home should be able to interpret the body language of the cute rodents. Among other things, the hamster behavior provides information about how the chubby cheeks are doing and whether they are missing something. In the following you can read more about the typical signals of the golden hamster.
The main way to tell if a hamster is comfortable or not is by looking at their body language – Shutterstock/AtiwatPhotography
First of all, it must be said that not every golden hamster behaves the same way. The animals have their peculiarities, also in terms of body language. Hamster behavior cannot always be determined unequivocally. Cleaning, for example, can occur both as a skip action due to stress and as a relaxation signal. It is important for keepers to gradually recognize what their hamster’s body language is revealing about its condition.
Hamster cleans itself extensively
As mentioned, extensive cleaning can be both a sign of insecurity and an indication of relaxation and balance. If you find your golden hamster cleaning after being startled or having to cope with a change (after cleaning the cage, for example), it is likely to be “stress cleaning” or “anxiety cleaning”. If your rodent grooms itself after getting up or in between, without appearing stressed, it can be normal comfort behavior.
Hamster presses to the ground and sneaks around
This hamster behavior is typical when the animals are in and exploring a new environment. The new environment does not have to be entirely new terrain, it can also be a freshly cleaned hamster cage. Your hamster is probably frightened or unsure while exploring.
Hamster stands on hind legs and pricks up ears
A classic form of hamster body language that occurs when the animals are listening. Your Puschel has noticed something and is now concentrating on the sound in this position. This is how hamsters also secure the area.
Hamster inflates cheek pouches and stretches
If you can observe this type of body language, it is probably a threatening gesture. Your golden hamster feels attacked, possibly even by you. He is angry and maybe ready for an attack or bite. Make sure you leave him alone.
Hamster digs in the litter, takes a sand bath and cleans itself
A good sign – your hamster is comfortable. If he bathes in the cage litter or in the sand with relish and then cleans himself a little, he is balanced and relaxed. In these moments he doesn’t pay attention to dangers, feels safe and enjoys his hamster life.
Hamster rubs against the cage objects
Hamsters have glands on their flanks that they use to mark objects. They will often rub their flanks against the objects in their cage when they are ready to mate or when the hamster’s cage has just been cleaned.
Hamster stretches and opens its mouth
Your golden hamster is yawning. As with us humans, this can be a sign of relaxation or simply tiredness. Often the rodents also stretch on the cage bars while yawning and stretch their paws forward. Caution: If there is no stretching and no opening of the mouth at the same time, this could be an attack signal.
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