How to communicate with your hamster

If you want to understand your little friend and satisfy his necessities, it is very important to be able to "read" his signs and signals and to follow them. Sounds play an essential part during the first several weeks of the little hamsters' life. Their whining is perceived by their mother as a call for help. These sounds usually could not be caught by the human ear, but the subtle one of the mother hears them. The most common reason for the whining is hunger or if some of the cubs went too far away from the nest and got lost. These sounds are of life importance because the cub who doesn't whine dies of hunger or goes astray. Not only for the cubs, but also for the grown-up hamsters, giving out a sound is of huge importance for their mingle with people and their likes.

The most common sounds and their meaning

• The teeth rattling is a serious warning and if the enemy doesn't take a serious view and doesn't withdraw, it could lead to bad consequences. In such cases the animals have to be divided if necessary. Also be careful and for your fingers, too - only who hasn't been bitten by a hamster doesn't know the pain:)
• The hissing sound of the hamster (like a cat) is the same sign of attack, but sometimes it is possible hamsters to hiss when they mate. 
• "Screaming" is a signal of self-defence, it could be also heard when the hamster is scared or wants to frighten his enemy.
• If your hamster "squeals", it shows that he is frightened and is commonly heard when there is a quarrel in the cages between the "roommates". But when the "squealing" is accompanied with teeth rattling, you must be careful because this is a clear sign of aggressiveness.
• Growling and snoring also express aggressiveness, but could be heard and when the male mates.
• Unfortunately the face of the hamster cannot make grimaces or express emotions, but the animal uses his body to tell us about his desires and mood.

Some signs and their meaning

• If the hamster creeps with his tummy, cling close to the floor, he is insecure - usually makes this in a new or unknown atmosphere.
• If the hamster walks strange with his tail turned upwards, he is scared of something. For younger rodents, this could be a sign of subjection to the older hamster.
• In case of bigger danger or fear, for example of predatory, hamster lies on his back and plays possum and sometimes he get away with that.
• If the hamster stands up on his hind legs, like a human, probably he wants to attract the attention to him, but sometimes this could be a way to express aggressiveness towards his likes.
• If the hamster stands on his hind legs and sniff the air around, he checks for any risks.
• If he stands on his hind legs with forepaws hanging down, the hamster is calm and feels secure and safe. If the male lift the paws in front of himself, the most common reason for this is a sign of defence against an attacking female. If he blows out his cheeks and set up straight his ears - it means a warning of attack
• If he jumps around, he wants to express in this way the good mood and courage.
• If he is lop-eared, this could be caused by: tiredness, uncertainty, fear, bad mood, aggressiveness or an attempt to attract the attention.
• If your hamster spends long time in cleaning himself with pleasure, yawns or stretching, this means that he feels good and has an internal calm. But if he suddenly and unexpectedly starts cleaning and trembling - he has been scared of something and feels uncertain.

If you watch carefully your hamster and spend more time with him, you will be ale to identify very fast his desires and necessities. This is very important for the long and of ful value of your little pet.