Hamsters are those tiny, spongy creatures that capture our attention for their gentle moves and weird noises. Sometimes, these can be alarming as well when your hamster keeps making weird noises for long. As a hamster owner, you should know the exact reason for this behavior and fix it. If you have just brought one, I’d recommend you to take a look at this article as this will guide you completely.
So, why is my hamster making weird noises?
A hamster can make weird noises when they are feared or experiencing pain or in mating time or injured or simply as a part of sleep. While you can easily differentiate the exact reason based on the health and surrounding, taking to a vet is advisable if it happens for long.
Key reasons for hamster to make weird noises
There are several reasons why a hamster might be making weird noises.
Fear, pain, or sexual arousal
Hamsters make squeaking sounds for various reasons, including fear, pain, or even sexual arousal. Squeaky hamsters can make a variety of different sounds, including screams and high-pitched squeaks.
The pitch and frequency of the sound your hamster is making can give you clues as to what’s causing it.
Note. If the noise is coming from a specific area, gently palpate that region to see if there’s any pain or discomfort.
Attention-seeking
If your hamster seems frightened or very excited about something that’s going on in its environment, it may emit a long scream followed by short squeaks.
In some cases, if the noise has been very loud this could indicate that your pet was trying to get your attention so check how they have been getting along with you lately.
Teeth grinding
In some cases, a hamster’s teeth may cause it to make weird noises.
When hamsters grind their teeth, it can create a high-pitched sound.
This generally isn’t anything to worry about, but you may want to take your furry friend to the vet if the grinding becomes excessive or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as changes in behavior or drooling.
Health issues
Sometimes a hamster’s health can be the root of strange noises.
For instance, an illness like pneumonia can cause wheezing and bubbling sounds when your pet breathes.
In many cases, this may be accompanied by a nasal discharge as well as lethargy. Other respiratory infections that could cause wheezing include asthma and bronchitis.
Sometimes, they can also lose weight. We have a guide that you can read – why is my hamster losing weight?
Injury
In some instances, your hamster might make weird noises due to an injury or because of a blockage in its airway.
This can be especially true if you notice swelling around the face or neck area.
Check out if they have jumped from a height as that is common. Here is an article about it – how high can hamsters jump?
If your hamster appears to have trouble breathing, call a vet immediately to prevent any further complications from arising. If severe pain occurs suddenly after a traumatic event such as being dropped or falling from a height then it’s possible that the hamster has broken bones, don’t attempt to move them unless absolutely necessary and leave it up to a professional.
Note. If you’ve tried everything and still can’t figure out why your hamster is making weird noises, it’s best to take it to the vet for a check-up. The vet will be able to rule out any serious health conditions and help you get to the bottom of the problem.
Why is my hamster making weird noises while sleeping?
A hamster makes weird noises while sleeping due to sickness or discomfort or dreams. If it is a dream, there is nothing to worry about. In case of sickness, rush to a vet, and in case of discomfort, adjust the environment.
There can be a variety of reasons why your hamster is making weird noises while sleeping.
Dreaming
One possibility is that your hamster might be dreaming. Dreams are usually accompanied by various noises, and since hamsters have very active brains, it’s likely that they might dream often.
Sickness
Another possibility is that your hamster could be ill. If your hamster is making weird noises while sleeping, it’s best to take it to a vet to get it checked out. It’s also important to keep an eye on your hamster’s health in general, as strange noises could be a sign of something wrong.
Discomfort
A third possibility is that your hamster is uncomfortable. This could be due to a number of factors, such as the bedding in its cage not being soft enough, or the hamster being too hot or too cold.
If you think your hamster might be uncomfortable, try adjusting the temperature in its cage or changing up the bedding.
No matter what’s causing your hamster to make weird noises while sleeping, it’s important to get to the bottom of it. If the noises are due to a health issue, it’s best to treat them as soon as possible. And if your hamster is just dreaming, there’s no need to worry – it’s perfectly normal!
Why is my hamster making sneezing noises?
A sneezing noise in a pet hamster is actually the animal trying to clear its nose. This can happen if their noses are puffy or stuck due to dust or lack of ventilation. In most cases, they get better over time but in some cases, they need antibiotics as they would have developed allergies.
Check out if succulents are causing allergies. Here is a guide to finding out hamster-friendly plants – are succulents good for hamsters?
Pet hamsters are quite talented at making these noises when they want to, but if you do hear one suddenly, it means that your hamster has something stuck up its nose. Is it a seed? A bit of bedding? Let us look at some of the causes of sneezing noises in hamsters and what you can do to treat them.
Antibiotics
If your hamster is on antibiotics, it may be making sneezing noises as a side effect of these drugs. If your hamster is prescribed antibiotics, always follow your vet’s instructions to the letter.
Dust and Allergens
If you have a lot of dust in your home, it’s possible that this is causing your hamster to sneeze.
Hamsters are very prone to allergies and can get quite a bad reaction to dust and other allergens such as pollen.
If you’re in a dusty environment, the best thing to do is make sure that your hamster has plenty of ventilation and change out its bedding regularly.
Important note.
Pet allergies can also cause sneezing in hamsters – if you have other pets, make sure that they don’t sleep with your hammy and avoid letting them come into contact with each other.
Foreign Bodies
A foreign body into a hamster’s nose is one of the most common causes of sneezing. This can be anything from a seed to a piece of bedding.
If you think that your hamster may have something stuck up its nose, try gently blowing on its face. If the hamster starts to sneeze, try removing it with a tissue or a soft brush.
If the foreign body is something jagged and sharp, such as a piece of wood, you should contact your vet immediately.
A small piece of it won’t cause too much damage but if your hammy is making repeated sneezing noises, it’s likely something is blocking its nose.
Sinus Infection
If your hamster has a sinus infection, he may start making sneezing noises as one of the symptoms.
A sinus infection is a fairly common problem in hamsters and can be caused by a number of things such as bacteria, a virus, or a fungal infection.
Symptoms of a sinus infection can include sneezing, runny eyes and nose, and a reduced appetite. If you think that your hamster may have a sinus infection, take him to the vet for treatment. Sinus infections are usually treated with antibiotics but if the cause is a virus, there’s little that can be done to treat your hamster.
Colds and Flu
If you’ve got a human family member with the flu or a cold, there’s the possibility that your hamster could catch these viruses too. While these viruses shouldn’t cause lasting damage in healthy adults or children, they may seriously affect young or elderly hamsters.
Symptoms of a cold or flu in hamsters can include sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, and a lack of energy. If you think that your hamster may have caught a cold or the flu, take it to the vet for treatment. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help clear up the infection.
Why is my hamster making chirping noises?
A chirping noise from your hamsters could commonly mean their happy states, especially if you bring their favorite foods or it is their playtime.
In certain instances, it could also indicate their anger.
Why is my hamster making hissing noise?
A hiss from your hamster implies fear and this can usually happen if there is a new person or a pet introduced to their territory or due to health issues.
Why is my dwarf hamster squeaking?
A dwarf hamster squeaks as a way of communication and pitch and tone differ based on their needs. A high-pitched squeak could be an attention-seeking attempt while a medium-pitched squeak could simply communicate happiness or some need. A low-pitched squeak implies sickness.
Final thoughts
Hamsters commonly make weird noises but there is something to worry about only when they are frequent, extremely loud-pitched, cause a behavioral change, and happen at weird times.
Whenever it lasts for more than a day, take your little hamster to a vet. Whether you have a Syrian or a dwarf hamster, the indicators and interventions are nearly the same.