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What We Mean by "Playing" Doesn't Apply to Hamsters at All!
As hamster owners, we want the best for our furry friends, and that starts with understanding their behavior. A common question we often get is: "What toys are suitable for hamsters?" But to be honest, hamsters don’t play in the way we're used to with other animals. In this blog, we explore hamster play behavior and how we can help them stay happy and healthy.
What Is "Playing" for Hamsters?
We shouldn't actually use the word "play" for hamsters but rather "displaying natural behavior," as that’s what truly makes hamsters happy. Just as playing with a ball brings joy to a dog, a bountiful harvest or a smooth-running wheel brings happiness to a hamster. Many items are sold as "hamster toys," but the kind of toy a rabbit can spend hours playing with won’t even get noticed by a hamster!
Playing = Displaying Natural Behavior
First and foremost, we should agree that when it comes to hamsters, we need to equate "playing" with "displaying natural behavior." And with that, we can draw some wonderful conclusions for these animals!
Enjoying a Roll in a Hamster Ball?
No, no, please don’t. It’s one of the most popular products in the rodent section when it comes to "toys," but it’s terribly wrong for the animals. Let’s start with this entirely misunderstood toy. The animals do indeed run in it, but not because they enjoy it. Research has shown that hamsters run quickly in the ball in search of a hiding place. Moreover, the ball dulls all their senses. The animals can no longer feel anything (hands, whiskers), and their ability to hear and smell is impaired. We strongly advise against these balls and instead recommend a fun playpen with plenty of activities—much more enjoyable for the animals. If we use natural behavior as the starting point, then the hamster ball completely prevents this behavior.
1. How Do Hamsters Use Their Hands? Eating and Activity
Hamsters have real little hands. Watch them when they eat: they hold the food with their hands, carefully turning it the right way to open it or store it in their cheek pouches for later. This is why we believe it's important for hamsters to continue exhibiting this behavior. We ensure this by providing them with harvests, mixed food, and chew materials sprinkled with healthy seeds. This way, the animals have to use their hands, which provides activity, just like in nature, and prevents boredom.
If your hamster isn’t a picky eater, it’s best to give them mixed food instead of an all-in-one pellet.
2. How Do Hamsters Use Their Nose? Foraging and Feeding
In the wild, hamsters search for food by using their hands to feel the ground, their whiskers to detect, but it’s their nose that leads the way to the treats! We can easily stimulate this natural behavior by hiding (some of) their food. You can place it on a house, under the bedding, or sprinkle it over moss. You can also create a foraging layer by using materials like coconut or pieces of cardboard and scattering part of the food or treats in it. The animals then have to actively use their nose to find it, just like in nature!
We’ve specially developed a foraging menu for small rodents to encourage this behavior. This mix contains a variety of components that need to be tackled in different ways. By scattering this mix, the animals can enjoy hours of foraging fun!
4. Do Hamsters Release Happy Hormones While Running in a Wheel?
Yes, they really do!
Hamsters have a relatively fast metabolism and are very active. They need food with a high energy value, but they also enjoy being active and running. Research has shown that hamsters produce endorphins when they happily run, and we know that endorphins are happiness hormones that make us feel good. So, we can confidently say that hamsters become happy from running in a wheel!
However, it’s important that the wheel is of good quality and large enough for the animals. For instance, a Syrian hamster (golden hamster) needs a larger wheel than a dwarf hamster. Fortunately, we’ve indicated on all of our wheels which animals they’re suitable for.
4. Why Does a Hamster Need to Dig?
When we think of "playing," digging doesn’t immediately come to mind. Although it’s not technically playing, it’s a vital part of a hamster’s daily activity that truly makes them happy. Hamsters skillfully dig with their little hands, clearing the first part under their bellies, then their hind legs kick into action to push away the dirt they’ve dug up. The entire body is active—super healthy! For this, they need a good layer of bedding that’s suitable for digging. Plain sawdust won’t cut it. A mix of Cotton N Cotton, Cotton N Hemp, and Cotton N Fibre makes the best bedding for this purpose. A layer of 20-30 cm, packed down well, and the fun can begin.
5. Why Must a Hamster Build a Nest?
Hamsters take their sleeping quarters very seriously! Don’t be fooled—they are quite meticulous and want it to be perfect. If there’s a shortage of nesting material, they’ll resourcefully use other parts of their enclosure. So, for your own sake: make sure there’s nesting material! While there are different types of nesting material, hamsters are perfectly happy with toilet paper too. It can be used as filler, but they also enjoy using it to add structure to their nests. Ideally, give them two or three options, and in winter, cotton or kapok can be wonderfully warm and soft. As for nesting materials, you don’t have to worry with us—we only offer 100% safe, tested options. No hamster fluff or synthetic materials!
6. Do Hamsters Need to Climb, Jump, and Scramble?
No, it’s better not to. While Syrian hamsters (golden hamsters) can climb, they aren’t well-equipped for it. When we compare hamsters with mice or rats, we immediately see that their bodies aren’t designed for climbing. Mice and rats have long tails for balance, while hamsters have a small pom-pom tail with a cuteness factor of 10 out of 10, but nothing else. Mice and rats also have feet designed to grip, whereas hamsters’ feet aren’t built for that. So, there’s no need to offer challenges in the form of climbing, and we even advise against it to avoid injuries.
Conclusion
As hamster owners, it’s our responsibility to ensure our pets feel happy and healthy. We achieve this by understanding and encouraging their natural behavior. Give your hamster plenty of opportunities to use their hands, let their nose work, run, and dig. By incorporating these elements into their lives, they’ll stay physically healthy and mentally happy. Remember that what we consider "playing" is actually their natural behavior, which brings them joy and well-being.
With these tips, we ensure that our hamsters live a happy and healthy life. Don’t forget that they don’t need toys like other animals but simply the freedom to express their natural behaviors. Let’s give our hamsters what they truly need!
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