Why Is My Hamster Squeaking? 5 Ways To Figure Out the Fuss

Hamsters are usually quiet animals, so when they squeak or make any sound, they are trying to communicate something. To care for them properly, it’s a good idea to understand why they squeak.

Your hamster may be squeaking if they are happy, excited, distressed, or afraid. Hamsters squeak to communicate their feelings or let you know if they need something, and they may also use body language to tell you what they want or need.

So, let’s look at some of the reasons a hamster might squeak. I’ll teach you how to determine the cause for your hamster’s fuss and help you recognize when your hamster is trying to communicate with you. So, let’s get into it!

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Ways To Figure Out Why Your Hamster Is Squeaking

Since there are many reasons why your hamster could be squeaking, you need to pay attention to other accompanying actions to determine what the reason is.

1. One Squeak Usually Accompanied by Stretching or Yawning

If your pet hamster lets out one squeak accompanied by a yawn or stretch, that usually means that your hamster is happy or excited.

Your hamster’s joy could be because you’ve given them a treat or their favorite food. It could also be because they are playing and having a good time. In addition, they may be squeaking as a way to stretch, just like how we make noise as we stretch our muscles after a long nap.

2. Is Your Hamster Hiding

When hamsters are sick or injured, they usually hide, so if you find that your hamster is hiding and squeaking, it is a good sign it is in pain. Check for any visible injuries like cuts which you can clean with room temperature water and a cotton pad.

If you don’t see any injuries or notice a severe wound, take your hamster to the vet. The vet will be able to make a diagnosis and put the hamster on the correct treatment.

3. My Hamster Squeaks Continuously

If you’re wondering, ‘why is my hamster squeaking so much?’ because it squeaks continuously, it could be afraid or annoyed.

There are a few reasons your hamster could be afraid. The most common is that they are new to the home, don’t like being picked up, or could be frightened of other hamsters if you have more than one.

When bringing a new hamster home, give them time to settle in and adjust. Don’t pick it up or force it to interact with you because this will likely make the hamster more afraid. Allow it time to come to you by offering treats and staying nearby.

After some time, your new hamster will get used to you, but some hamsters not always like being picked up. If your hamster squeaks a lot when you pick it up, it probably doesn’t enjoy it.

Although some hamsters enjoy company, others don’t and are known to fight. If you notice your hamster squeaking a lot and you have more than one, it could be that it is afraid of another hamster. Watch how the hamsters interact and keep them separate if they fight or squeak because they are scared.

4. Is Their Food and Water Bowl Full

If you’re asking, ‘why has my hamster suddenly started squeaking?’ have a look at their food bowl and water bottle. If your hamster has suddenly started squeaking, it could be because it is hungry or thirsty and found an empty food bowl or water that is not fresh.

Hamsters need to eat about every two hours, so you can prevent the squeaking by making sure you replenish their food regularly and they always have fresh drinking water.

5. The Volume of their Squeaks

Another thing you want to look out for is the volume of the squeak when they are around other hamsters. If your hamster is squeaking loudly, it is likely afraid. However, if the hamster is squeaking softly, it is probably at ease and wants to play with the other hamsters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What To Do if a Hamster Squeaks?

If a hamster squeaks, it is best to ensure that it is not ill, hurt, or distressed. You should also make sure that it has food and fresh water. If your hamster seems energetic and is in a clean, well-maintained enclosure, it might just be happy or excited.

When you notice your hamster squeaking, check to see that it is ok. If your hamster is squeaking out of happiness or excitement, you have nothing to worry about.

However, your squeaking hamster could be communicating that they need something or that something is wrong. Check on the following:

Make sure they have food and fresh water
Ensure the cage or habitat is clean.
Inspect your pet to ensure that the hamster is not injured.
Check that there isn’t anything around that could scare the hamster, like a pet dog or noise.

If none of these factors are present, your hamster is likely just happy!

What Does a Sick Hamster Sound Like?

A sick hamster sounds more distressed and loud when it squeaks. Another typical sound that could indicate sickness is sneezing. If you notice your hamster sneezing continuously, it could be a sign of an allergy, an upper respiratory infection, or a cold.

If you suspect it could be an allergy, clean the cage thoroughly and put in clean bedding. Poor ventilation is one of the leading causes of respiratory ailments, so make sure the enclosure is in a well-ventilated area.

A vet must treat a cold or infection, so take your hamster to the vet immediately if you’ve ruled out allergies. With antibiotics, your hamster should recover in about a week.

How Do You Tell if a Hamster Is Stressed?

Hamsters are easily stressed. Noise, other pets in the home, and a lack of physical and mental stimulation can stress your hamster.

Here’s how to tell if a hamster is stressed:

The hamster becomes hyperactive, quickly running around the cage or on its wheel.
They bite their cage and move their bedding around more than usual.
They are cleaning themselves excessively.
The hamster doesn’t eat as much as they usually would.
They suffer from hair loss.
They hide more frequently, not just when they are sleeping.
The hamster appears to be skittish.
They try to escape from their cage.

To keep your hamster happy, calm, and stress-free, make sure that the noise levels around them are kept to a minimum. If you have other pets, introduce them slowly and give them time to get used to them.

Provide a large enough cage to have enough space to run and give them toys to play with so they are mentally stimulated. Another thing you can do is hide treats in their cage or habitat for them to find.

Final Remarks

More often than not, when a hamster squeaks, it is a sign of distress. The hamster could be afraid, hungry, or hurt. Usually, persistent loud squeaking indicates that your hamster is not happy. Other times squeaking is a sign that they are happy, excited, or communicating with their hamster friends. Happy squeaks are typically less frequent and softer.