How to know if your hamster is really happy?

Foreverham · 10-28-2014, 01:30 PM

Hey guys!
I just got my first hamster a little over a week ago and he seems fairly sociable, he's eating and sleeping and playing/running around, but...
How do I know if he' really happy?
Are there any tell-tale signs of a very happy hamster?
Do your hamsters do anything specific when they get happy and excited?

Also, how can I tell if he is excited when running around or stressed out? Sometimes I worry that he's trying to get away from fear...

Thanks so much c:

Mousenibbles · 10-28-2014, 01:36 PM

Awww, welcome to hamsterhood. What kind is he?

Sometimes vocalizations can mean they're happy; depending on the situation, my syrian will make "cht!"ing noises if she's happy, exploring something, or annoyed.

Hamsters are hidey-hole animals, and they seem to be ever restless especially when they're young; don't worry, I had the same thoughts when I first got my baby, but she's begun to settle down as she's gotten older. The young ones are VERY zippy!

As long as you provide proper care, lots of places to hide, fresh food, water, playtime, ect., you will have a happy hamster. Make sure they don't get bored (find out what they like to chew- as some hamsters won't touch certain chews, and others loooove them) by providing lots of chews and toys, and definitely a safe wheel. It sounds like you're doing a good job already.

Skeever · 10-28-2014, 01:37 PM

Eating, sleeping, playing well....and those cute little yawning stretches....also grooming themselves while out with you, or eating during playtime, tends to me they are quite comfortable with the Big Hand Monsters.

What does it look like he's getting away from? I know when Ziggy wants out for playtime, he can be violent, lol.....he's knocked the entire front panel off more than once. His snout should be registered as a lethal weapon.....

Some hams are also vocal, when happy....so, as long as he seems to be doing normal hammy things, he's probably quite content....with occasional splashes of true happiness

I do know when Ziggy tries to get out he wants to play...he's not trying to flee or escape anywheres.....when he has escaped, it seems he just thinks the room is a really really big cage to explore and run around in.

CPalmer · 10-28-2014, 01:37 PM

My only real indication of Freya being happy and content is that she doesn't run away from me and quiver. Also she sits in the open on the sofa and has a good wash. I don't think she'd do that if she felt threatened

Foreverham · 10-28-2014, 02:25 PM

Thanks for all your responses c: he's a syrian, and as you can see in my avatar he doesn't mind sleeping in my hands and it's really adorable! But yes, when he is awake he wants to run around all the time but from what you said Skeever I think he is quite comfortable with me, as he does do the yawn-stretch thing, eat from my hand and groom himself in front of me... He has never yet been violent, he just seems to want to run everywhere, especially off my bed (which has proven to be a bad idea because he is incapable of landing on his feet... or learning that there is a high drop there!) which is where I get him out to play and snuggle.

Skeever · 10-28-2014, 04:38 PM

Some ham owners (most?) only dream of a hammy falling asleep in their hands

Foreverham · 10-28-2014, 11:25 PM

Haha well I'm not sure if he has exactly fallen asleep in my hands but he certainly doesn't mind being manhandled once he is asleep!

becky1412 · 10-29-2014, 01:53 AM

If your ham is comfortable enough to curl up and get cosy or fall asleep on you he's definitely happy! Looks like a very happy content fluff to me

I know my 2 are happy because when they see me they run up to where I get them out for playtime or ball time.

Skeever · 10-29-2014, 06:31 PM

I honestly can only guess if Ziggy is happy.....happy is such a strong word. LOL.....He's content, and behaving like a well fed, content and comfortable hammy.....

Last night was the first time however, that Pook not only approached the door of the cage, but actually made a point of jumping up and down, and scratching at the door while I looked through it.

Usually I see them come to the door....then Ziggy tries to head butt it open....meaning if I weren't there, it wouldn't matter, he'd get out anyways....or Pooky seems aware the door = free play time and exploring, so he usually sniffs it, climbs around, looks out, and focuses on the door a bit.....after owning him a few months though, it was great to see him practically jump up and down for joy and bang on the glass to make sure I got the message....I felt he was really happy and really wanted to come out to the BIG HAND monster on the other side of the door

Pebbles82 · 10-30-2014, 02:02 AM

We had a friend round with her dog last night. Dog wags his tail, cocks his head on one side, licks you, when he is happy. Hamsters don't express themselves quite the same and I thought about the difference last night. Hamsters don't interact in quite the same way - but then we've only got a Syrian - and they are loners. Agree with Skeever, if they are contented it is a sign of happiness and feeling safe. The only time I have ever seen Charlie actually seem happily excited was when he found an open bag of treats on the sofa and dived in head first. So maybe food is the way to a Hamster's heart! Apparently they love mealworms, I haven't tried this yet. Charlie can definitely give 'looks' when he is relaxed and contented. Last night it was a kind of glowering, surprised 'humph' look after I had to tip him out of our little boy's welly when he wouldn't come out and was trying to dig a hole in the toe. The first time he actually sat on my hand he had a sweet innocent 'I'm loved' look. Never seen it since - he is growing up and probably a teenager now. Most of the time he isn't interested in looking at us, just doing his own thing.