Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Hamster Chat

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-29-2022, 09:00 PM   #1
ilguy
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: IL
Posts: 230
Default Emptying Cheeks

What does it mean when a hamster empties their cheeks on your hand?

I've run into it with both the hamsters I've had, and read different things on it.
ilguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2022, 01:05 AM   #2
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Emptying Cheeks

I think Cupcake likes you and wants to share her food with you.

It can also be a defence response but in that case she'd spit the food at you like ammunitation. Usually aimed at a vet.

They sometimes empty their pouches when uncomfortable or in a hold.

I think that there can be a number of reasons depending on the circumstances.

My hamsters have only ever done this when uncomfortable. At the vet's or when i get them in a hold for a nail trim or to administer medication.
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2022, 07:46 AM   #3
ilguy
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: IL
Posts: 230
Default Re: Emptying Cheeks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
I think Cupcake likes you and wants to share her food with you.

It can also be a defence response but in that case she'd spit the food at you like ammunitation. Usually aimed at a vet.

They sometimes empty their pouches when uncomfortable or in a hold.

I think that there can be a number of reasons depending on the circumstances.

My hamsters have only ever done this when uncomfortable. At the vet's or when i get them in a hold for a nail trim or to administer medication.
Thanks a bunch for explaining Ria! It's good to know from someone experienced with hamsters. After she hopped off I wasn't sure and I gave her the seeds back. She took them back, but was miffed the rest of the night. Now I know I rejected her snack xD

How do you hold them for that? When Pearl was sick I was able to gently scoop her out of her nest from underneath, and she took her medication just sitting on my hand.
ilguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2022, 08:35 AM   #4
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Emptying Cheeks

I wrapped dwarf Romy in a flannel and held her with her back on my palm then tilted her slightly backwards.I administered the antibiotic slowly from the syringe into the corner of her mouth.

Dwarf Gertie i hold the same way minus the flannel for a nail trim and the Robos.

Syrian Rodney's nails need a trim but he's not having any of it. He has always been a very wriggly and impatient hamster. I keep snips nearby and when he holds on to the bars i manage to snip the odd nail. Sometimes i keep him waiting till he gets annoyed and chews the bars so i can snip a nail.

Never met a hamster who would sit on my hand to take meds. Your Pearl was either an exception or you have an exceptional way with hamsters.
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2022, 03:03 PM   #5
ilguy
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: IL
Posts: 230
Default Re: Emptying Cheeks

She was very special, but was really lethargic and just slowly lapped it up from the syringe while sitting on my hand. It was heart breaking to see her not wanting to move much or come out at all. Her lower body must have really been hurting, she loved that new wheel so much.

I will have to try that out, I need to work in a health check regularly for Cupcake.

And Ria, you are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and taking care of so many hams. It's great to watch the updates of how they're all doing.
ilguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2022, 03:25 PM   #6
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Emptying Cheeks

Just to add to the reasons. Sometimes I've found they empty their pouches because they're not back in the cage yet. And don't like having full pouches too long! Really laughed at the vision of a hamster spitting food at the vet. LOL!

ilguy - whose body must have been hurting. Is one of your hamsters injured?

Edit - I've just seen your other thread about Cupcake and saw you mention the late Pearl. I am so sorry. I must have missed that she had passed. But glad you have Cupcake.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cheeks, hamsters, read, run, things

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:59 AM.