Hamsters are well-loved pets that many people enjoy having in their homes. These little furry friends can be a lot of fun to care for.
When you’re getting used to having hamsters in your home, it’s important to learn as much as you can about them. Knowing more about these will allow you to keep the hamsters safe.
One thing you might be worried about is whether the hamsters can climb. Are hamsters good climbers, or is this something you don’t need to worry about?
Read on to learn more about hamsters and climbing. This will ensure that you can make good decisions for the sake of your pet hamster.
Are Hamsters Good Climbers?
You could say that hamsters are pretty good climbers overall. It’s common for hamsters to try to climb things.
You might notice your hamster climbing its cage every now and then. Most hamsters will attempt to do this.
Some types of hamsters are known to be better climbers than others. Roborovskis are some of the best climbers because they climb a lot in the wild.
They’re known to climb thick vegetation, and they also like to climb through tunnels. You’ll see them climbing things a lot if you buy some of this variety as pets.
Roborovskis are really going to enjoy climbing toys as well. It’s simply in their nature to want to climb.
Why Does My Hamster Climb the Cage?
There are a number of different reasons why hamsters will climb the cage. This could be happening simply because the hamster has excess energy.
If the hamster is very energetic, it might not have enough toys to play with. Giving it more toys will allow it to exercise more and work off that energy without climbing the cage.
Bored hamsters might climb just for something to do. Ensuring that the hamster has many toys will keep it from not getting enough stimulation and getting too bored.
As mentioned earlier, some hamsters are naturally inclined to want to climb things. Certain types of hamsters will be more likely to climb the cage no matter what you do.
It’s also worth noting that many hamsters climb the cage when they’re curious. A hamster that climbs the cage could be doing so to try to get a better look at something or to get to another part of the cage faster.
Sometimes hamsters will climb in an attempt to escape the cage, too. If the hamster is unhappy for some reason it might look for a way out of the cage.
A hamster might be unhappy with its environment if it’s too small or if its basic needs aren’t being met. Try to ensure that you care for your pet hamster properly to avoid such a situation.
Can Hamsters Climb Walls?
Hamsters can indeed climb walls, but it depends on the type of walls in question. Commonly, you’ll see hamsters climbing cage walls if they’re made out of wire.
Wire cages are going to make it very easy for hamsters to climb the walls. This makes sense because the hamsters have good footholds in such cages.
If you buy another type of cage or habitat for your hamster, it’ll be much tougher for it to climb the walls. In fact, it shouldn’t even be possible.
Many hamster owners choose to buy cages that have plastic or glass walls. These terrarium-style habitats aren’t going to make it possible for hamsters to climb the walls.
If a hamster attempted to climb a plastic or glass wall, it’d simply slide off the wall. It’s too slippery for the hamster to be able to dig its claws in and climb up.
Can Hamsters Climb Stairs?
You’ll find that hamsters can climb stairs fairly easily. They’re a lot better at getting around than you might think.
If a hamster escapes, it’ll be able to go up and down stairs without it being a big deal. That means that the hamster could be just about anywhere in your home.
You see, hamsters can jump pretty well. A hamster should be able to jump at least seven inches in the air, and some hamster types can jump fifteen inches into the air.
Unless you have odd stairs that are way taller than normal, a hamster should be able to jump up and down the stairs. This is why you should be careful not to let your hamster escape.
It might be hard to locate a hamster that gets out. Since they can climb, they can climb up stairs pretty easily in most instances.
Can Hamsters Climb Vertical Tubes?
After reading the information above, you know that hamsters can climb. Some hamsters are good enough climbers that they will be able to go up vertical tubes pretty well.
Whether a hamster is going to enjoy climbing vertical tubes will depend. Some might love it while others will struggle.
Most hamsters will enjoy climbing and crawling through tubes. However, some will have a tough time when the tubes have a steep incline.
It might be worth trying different incline angles to see what your hamster will enjoy. Don’t hesitate to buy tubes for your hamster’s cage since they can enjoy them quite a lot.
How Can You Know if Your Hamster is Happy?
Are you worried about whether your hamster is unhappy? It’s normal for pet owners to be concerned about such things.
Perhaps seeing your hamster climb the cage has you concerned that your furry friend is trying to escape. This isn’t necessarily the case, but it could be.
There are ways that you can tell a hamster is happy in its environment. Hamsters that are happy in their cages will collect and store food around their cage.
You’ll also see your hamster doing normal things when it’s happy. For example, you might see the hamster grooming itself in the cage and stretching.
This is a great sign because it shows that it isn’t afraid to be vulnerable in the cage even when you’re observing it. It means that the hamster has placed its trust in you.
Another good sign to look out for is the hamster playing in the cage. If the hamster uses its toys and appears to be having fun, that’s a great way to know that the hamster is content.
Burrowing is a good thing to see the hamster doing as well. When hamsters burrow in the cage, it’s a sign that they’re pleased with how things are going.
Buy a Large Enough Cage
Always remember that hamsters need to have cages that are large enough. Sometimes climbing is a sign that hamsters are unhappy, and this is often related to being put in cages that are too small.
Your hamster deserves a good environment, and you should make sure to buy an appropriate cage. Find a cage that is large enough for your hamster to be happy.
You’ll have a much better experience if you avoid buying really small hamster cages. It might even be beneficial to look into a habitat that doesn’t have bars so the hamster won’t be able to climb if that’s something that worries you.
Is Keeping Hamsters Alone Fine?
Yes, it’s actually better to keep hamsters alone in their cages. Some types of dwarf hamsters can live together, but many other types of hamsters will not get along.
These little animals are solitary creatures. They’re used to having to protect their turf from other hamsters.
Having a second hamster in the habitat can lead to fighting and significant issues. It’s not a headache that you want to have to deal with.
Avoid buying a second hamster and keeping it in the same cage. Unless you know that you’re getting dwarf hamsters that are known to get along with others of their kind, it won’t be worth it.
Don’t worry about your hamster getting lonely. If you think your hamster is trying to escape, it isn’t because it wants a friend in the cage.
Final Thoughts
Hamsters can climb cages, and they often do this just for fun. Some hamsters are especially good climbers that are more likely to climb the cage walls.
Since climbing can be a sign that hamsters are unhappy, many hamster owners get worried. It’s likely nothing that you need to be worried about, but you can try to look for signs that show your hamster is happy to alleviate your concerns.
Remember to buy a large enough cage for your hamster so it can thrive. Ensure that the hamster has plenty of toys so it can play and use up its energy. Without excess energy, the hamster will be less inclined to climb the sides of its cage.
If you feed the hamster well and treat it with kindness, it’s likely to enjoy being your pet. Owning a hamster can be a lot of fun, and you should be able to keep your hamster as a pet for a good while.
Hopefully, knowing more about hamsters and their climbing abilities will help you out. You should feel more prepared since you know what they’re capable of.
Always do your best to keep the hamster from getting out and exploring the house. They can climb up and down stairs, and this can make it rather tough to locate them when they’ve wandered away.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.