Do Hamsters Make Noise? (5 Tips to Keep Them Quiet)

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Getting a pet hamster for the first time, you might think you got yourself a quiet kind of pet, but is it true? Or do hamsters make noise?

The truth is hamsters aren’t loud animals. Yet, they do make many types of vocalizations.

Whether chirping, squeaking, chattering, or hissing, every sound your hamster makes has a meaning behind it.

In this article, you’ll find out more about the noises your pet hamster makes and what they mean.

Are Hamsters Loud?

In general, hamsters are quiet animals that don’t make much noise, especially during the day. In fact, they spend most of their morning time sleeping because they’re nocturnal.

On the other hand, they become much more active during the night. That’s why they make great pets for those who aren’t home most of the day.

Are Hamsters Loud at Night?

Since hamsters are only active at night, you can notice them becoming a bit noisier as the day goes by.

That’s actually a sign of health and happiness in hamsters. So, you should always ensure your pet hamsters have all the necessary things in their cage to keep them busy.

Aside from their natural sounds, hamsters make noises while:

Running on the Wheel

Hamsters’ wheel is essential for their health and well-being. It helps them get their needed exercise and have an active lifestyle.

However, this wheel can be a huge source of disturbance for you. That’s why you should consider a less noisy option when picking a wheel for your hamster’s cage.

Gnawing on the Cage Bars

Like many rodents, Hamsters’ teeth keep growing throughout their entire life. Thus, they need to chew on hard things constantly to keep their teeth in shape.

That’s why they usually gnaw on their cage bars. You can only imagine how that may sound, especially when most hamster cages are metal.

How Can You Keep a Hamster Quiet?

A few minor changes can help in limiting the amount of noise your hamster makes or even cause them to disappear.

Here are a few tips to consider.

1 – Change the Running Wheel

First and foremost, you should never think about removing the wheel from your hamster’s cage. Instead, you can replace it with a quieter version.

This is especially important if you’re keeping your hamster’s cage inside your room, as the rattling and squeaking wheel can keep you up all night.

In addition, you can always try other things if you don’t have the time or money to buy a new hamster wheel.

Since the annoying sounds may be a result of rust, lubricating the wheel can make a huge difference.

Doing so makes the wheel run quieter and smoother than before and eliminates all unwanted noises.

2 – Switch to a Plastic Cage

Sometimes a durable plastic enclosure is the best option for your hamster. Gnawing on the plastic makes much less noise than metal.

Plus, providing your hamsters with toys to chew on keeps them engaged and distracts them away from the cage’s bars.

Ideally, you need to add at least five chew toys of different sizes to your hamster cage.

3 – Change the Cage’s Location

Many people keep their hamster’s cage inside their room, and this may not be the best idea.

Changing the placement of your hamster’s enclosure helps a lot in reducing the noises, especially when you’re trying to sleep at night.

On the other hand, you also need to consider the location that suits your hamsters best while they sleep during the day.

4 – Soundproof the Cage

This is an excellent solution if you’re living in a small place where it’s not possible to keep the cage far away from you at night.

Insulating your hamster’s cage is an effective way to reduce the noisy hamster sounds.

You can do that by covering the gaps that allow the noises to escape. For example, you can place a thick blanket over the cage to limit the annoying sounds.

However, keep in mind to do that only at night while you’re sleeping.

5 – Consider a Larger Enclosed Space

Instead of the usual hamster cage that allows the noises to escape, you can switch to a larger and more suitable type of enclosure.

For instance, a nice aquarium can be a great house idea for hamsters.

With only a few openings to let the air in, an enclosed housing unit for your hamsters minimizes the noises they make significantly.

Can Hamsters Fart?

Like all living creatures, hamsters can fart. After all, it’s a normal function within the digestion process.

However, hamsters rarely make any noise doing that, and their farts don’t smell. So, even if your hamster farts, you wouldn’t notice it.

Having said that, passing gas frequently may indicate an issue with the hamster’s digestive tract. The type of food that hamsters eat also contributes to how often they fart.

Thus, it’s best to consult your vet if you notice any unusual changes.

Do Hamsters Purr?

Unlike cats, hamsters don’t make purring noises. However, they make plenty of other sounds to indicate several feelings.

Purring is a sign of happiness and calmness in cats. This makes you wonder how to know if your hamster is content.

Generally, there are some telltales indicating hamsters are comfortable in their surrounding environment, such as:

• Yawning (as a sign of being relaxed and pleasantly peaceful)
• Grooming and stretching
• Collecting food
• Burrowing through the bedding
• Moving around and enjoying the toys in the cage

Are Hamsters Sensitive to Sound?

Yes, hamsters are extremely sensitive to loud noises due to their highly developed sense of hearing.

That’s mainly because their eyesight isn’t great, and their hearing compensates for that in nature by detecting predators.

Consequently, what may sound like a normal noise for human ears is usually amplified to about five or six times to hamsters’ ears.

So, any sudden noises can easily startle your pet hamster and cause many stress-related issues.

Are Hamsters Deaf?

As mentioned above, hamsters have a strong sense of hearing. However, the babies of species like dwarf hamsters are born deaf, blind, and hairless.

As they grow up, they start to grow hair and gain all their senses. By the time they’re over 18 days old, those baby dwarf hamsters should have fur and be able to see as well as hear.

That said, there’s always a possibility you may end up with a deaf hamster.

How To Know Your Hamster Is Deaf?

If you suspect your hamster is deaf, it’s better to consult your vet to make the right adjustments. Overall, you can sometimes tell whether your hamster isn’t hearing you by doing the following:

• Paying attention to the movements of your hamster’s ears
• Making noises to monitor your hamster’s reaction
• Noticing the increased use of whiskers as compensation for hearing loss

What Noises Do Hamsters Make?

Although not scientifically proven, each noise your hamster makes has a specific meaning. Learning more about this can help you better communicate with your furry pet.

Here are a few of the noises hamsters make and what they may indicate.

1 – Chirping

Faint or high-pitched chirping are common sounds hamsters make to express a variety of emotions.

They may chirp when they’re excited, afraid, happy, or seeking attention.

You can also notice that young hamsters make chirping noises when they play together. So, understanding the context helps in translating what your hamster needs.

2 – Squeaking

This is the most common sound hamsters make regularly and can be a sign of many things. However, it usually indicates stress and fear.

Though squeaking doesn’t mostly signify a positive feeling, some hamsters squeak when happy. For example, a hamster receiving a delicious treat may squeak.

3 – Chattering

Hamsters make a chattering sound by grinding their teeth together, and it’s a natural behavior in rodents.

It may indicate many different emotions, from annoyance and stress to excitement. Understanding what your hamster needs depends on the situation itself.

4 – Bruxing

Also known as clicking, hamsters make bruxing noises by also rubbing their teeth together. Although somehow similar to chattering, bruxing usually indicates positive feelings.

You can say that bruxing is the equivalent of a cat’s purr. So, when your hamster makes these clicking noises, it’s a sign of happiness and contentment.

5 – Hissing

This is a known sound throughout the animal kingdom that never reveals positive feelings. Hissing always indicates discomfort.

You may notice your hamster hissing when:

• Moved to a new home
• Uncomfortable with the surroundings
• Surrounded by other pets, like cats or dogs
• Handled in an annoying way
• Hearing loud noises
• Having too few hiding places

Final Thoughts

Hamsters make amazing pets because they’re cute, cuddly, and easy to care for. However, some people worry about the sounds a pet may make and how noisy they can be.

So, do hamsters make noise?

Hamsters can make many types of noises, such as chirping, squeaking, chattering, etc. Each sound has a distinctive meaning to it.

It might be hard to interpret hamsters’ noises at first. Yet, with time and experience, you become better at understanding the meaning behind the sounds your hamster makes.

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