Hamster chirping

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Hello,
I know this could mean anything, but my hamster started chirping and started chirping even louder when I took him on my hand. He has usually been quiet, but has been sometimes chirping when he's sleeping. This is the first time ever I hear him chirping while he's awake.

Untitled - YouTube (https://youtu.be/yQp0QggxZVc)

yQp0QggxZVc

When I took him on my hands he started chirping even louder, but I obviously couldn't record.

The articles on the internet are useless. Anyone has any idea why is my hamster chirping and if he's alright?

[sushi_78]

I would be concerned he might ill because respiratory tract issues can cause breathing noises which can sounds like chirping. His coat also looks a little greasy and unkempt in the video which can be a sign of illness too. His abdomen also looks very wide and possibly distended. It would be best to take him to a vet to check for any illness.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

I would be concerned he might ill because respiratory tract issues can cause breathing noises which can sounds like chirping. His coat also looks a little greasy and unkempt in the video which can be a sign of illness too. His abdomen also looks very wide and possibly distended. It would be best to take him to a vet to check for any illness.

Oh no, I just got rid of the mites… He has a sand bath but he hasn't even used it once. I don't know how to make him use it.
He was already big when I got him from the store in August. :/ You think he might be ill?

I was already at the vet because of the mites or whatever those were.

He's not chirping anymore as of now. I gave him a mealworm and petted him and he went to sleep.
The vet said "He's big" and that's why I also picked him over other hamster, because he was big and cute. I'll go to the vet anyways, because he had mites.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

I booked a time to a vet for Saturday.

Edit: I'll go to a different vet. He sometimes still chirps, but he stops it when I pet him. He does wash and clean himself and still eats and runs around when I take him out (now he's sleeping again), so I don't think he's dying. I hope he's not dying.

I hope he won't get cold while I take him to the vet. I love him a lot and I want him to be happy and I've provided him with everything I've found, but he barely uses his toys and has never used his sand bath). I do take him out daily and let him run around on my pillows and on my bed minimum of 15 minutes per day. Even though he's big he's a fast runner.

[sushi_78]

It looks a bit unusual to me because he's wide at the back and then much narrower at the neck. When he sees the vet again, ask them to feel his abdomen carefully and listen to it with a stethoscope for any noises that would indicate a build up of fluid.

The greasiness could just be because he isn't using the sand bath (although that is unusual for a dwarf hamster).

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

It looks a bit unusual to me because he's wide at the back and then much narrower at the neck. When he sees the vet again, ask them to feel his abdomen carefully and listen to it with a stethoscope for any noises that would indicate a build up of fluid.

The greasiness could just be because he isn't using the sand bath (although that is unusual for a dwarf hamster).

He has never used his sand bath and comes out immediately when I put him there. I thought maybe I have to teach him somehow? I don't know. He's my first hamster and I don't know that much about them. I've only gotten help from this forum. I'm taking him to a different vet this time, but on Saturday, because I can't tomorrow and there were no available times.

He's still making some noises from time to time, but stops when I pet him. He still eats normally.

I think he was like that when I got him from the store, but there's a possibility he has gotten bigger, because my friend said she thinks he's bigger than he was when I got him in the Summer, but I remember that was one of the reasons why I got him. He was chubby and big and other dwarf hamsters were small.

I Googled about the sand bath and there people said that not all hamsters use sand baths. I'm not sure what to do now. I hope he'll survive tomorrow. I don't think he's exactly dying, because he's still moving and running around, so I think bringing him to vet on Saturday won't be too late.

Before he had bugs and I finally took him to the vet. The vet told me not to clean his cage for three weeks. I haven't seen any bugs anymore.

Thank you for your help. Even if he's 'healthy' it's still no harm to go. I recorded more videos to show to the vet just in case everything appears to be normal on Saturday.

[Lilafernim]

I agree about the possible respiratory tract thing, I’m sorry this has happened on top of the mites! What a nightmare!

I’m no expert in medical advice for your hamster but I just felt I should say about the sand bath, they are a good option to have in the cage and some hamsters will use them. It’s not unusual for them not to bathe in it though mine uses hers religiously as a toilet, could it be possible he’s using it at night while you’re asleep?

Also tied to the respiratory thing, what sort of sand are you using? I just wonder as maybe he’s avoiding it if it’s dusty and it might be what made the chirping noises start. I’m not saying it is that, a lot of things can cause it but I just know some sand is dusty so you have to be careful.

Good luck with the vets! Really hope everything goes okay 🤞

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

I've read that may be the sand bath isn't big enough, but then again he fits into his bathroom and he even sometimes sleeps in it and his toilet is way smaller. Now that I think about it, it might be the sand.
I just got some sand from the pet store. It said: "Bath sand for hamster" and that's what I got him. That would also make sense.Also, I've been worried that he's not using his wheel, but now when I had night shifts and I was working from home I saw him using his wheel. The wheel is just quiet and I can't really hear it.

I'll take him to vet on Saturday, but yes, he no longer has bugs. I haven't seen any bugs at least. I was planning to change his bedding and clean his cage tomorrow, but I guess not then? Or should I still do it? If he's sick I don't want to stress him out.

It might be caused by the sand. Should I take the sand away from him? I hope he'll survive tomorrow and it won't be any worse, but then again when I take him out from the cage he's running and despite his size he runs fast and explores a lot. I don't think he's exactly dying? Also, it might be because my rooms are cold (but there is not much I can do). Oh, if only I would've known that he'll have such a difficult life with me I wouldn't have bought him, but then again I've read about worse owners than me + there was some woman who bought hamsters and released them to the nature (it was on the news). I at least try to take care of my hamster, even though I have no idea what I'm doing.

I'll see what the other vet says. It's always good to have different opinions and different vets taking a look at them, because the previous vet (he was good, not saying any bad words. I got rid of the mites and everything and he was super nice) also said that he doesn't know much about dwarf hamsters and he mainly treats cats and dogs, but yeah, he said that he's big.

[Pebbles82]

He certainly is chirping isn’t he. I also think he maybe looks a bit swollen but it’s hard to tell, if he has always been a big hamster.

Not all hamsters like sand baths. Roborovski hamsters always need a sand bath but dwarf hamsters don’t necessarily need one. Racing Hamster on here often didn’t use them. So if he’s not interested, I wouldn’t worry about it.

If he has just been treated for mites though, presumably he was given Invermectin. Was that injected or topical? I only mention that because an overdose of that can be toxic and could cause some issues.

How is his behaviour generally? Is he doing all his usual things- eating , active, using his wheel? If so I wouldn’t worry too much. But having a general vet check could be good in case there is any abdominal swelling.

Is he pooping ok? And what nesting material are you using? Some nesting materials can cause intestinal blockages, if chewed or swallowed, and that can cause bloating.

If he has never chirruped before then he clearly is trying to say something. I am not sure how different the respiratory sound is but I think it’s usually more of a clicking noise.

And yes I would hold off doing a cage clean. It can stress them and also make them annoyed. It’s only really necessary to spot clean and not do a full substrate change that often.

Maybe he’s just happy! Or cross.

[Ria P]

There is nothing at all wrong with you as an owner. I think that your hamster is very lucky to have you as his companion.

Unfortunately, dwarf hybrids are prone to all sorts of illnesses which is probably down to poor breeding and genetics. Sadly, i'm talking from experience here and totally understand why you sometimes doubt your abilities to care for your hamster. I did the same when our dwarfs took ill and still doubt myself sometimes now or query my decisions. It's not you though because you are doing everything you can for your hamster.

I would also advise to take him to the vet to get him checked out, especially his abdomen.

Some hamsters are vocal. One of ours chirps when annoyed but has only started this later in life. At first i was worried because i mistook his chirping for sneezing and thought he had a cold.

As for the sand. Sand should be ok, it is the chinchilla or rodent dust you need to avoid. Saying that, not everything sold for hamsters is suitable or safe. Which brand of sand are you using?

The reason he's not using the sandbath could also be down to the sandbath itself. Hamsters don't like to be exposed so a flat dish with sand without cover may not appeal to a hamster. I use glass bonbon jars and place them under a shelf, enclose them inside a cardboard box or put a bendy bridge over them to create a sand cave.

Personally, i'd wait with a cage clean until he's seen the vet.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

He certainly is chirping isn’t he. I also think he maybe looks a bit swollen but it’s hard to tell, if he has always been a big hamster.

Not all hamsters like sand baths. Roborovski hamsters always need a sand bath but dwarf hamsters don’t necessarily need one. Racing Hamster on here often didn’t use them. So if he’s not interested, I wouldn’t worry about it.

If he has just been treated for mites though, presumably he was given Invermectin. Was that injected or topical? I only mention that because an overdose of that can be toxic and could cause some issues.

How is his behaviour generally? Is he doing all his usual things- eating , active, using his wheel? If so I wouldn’t worry too much. But having a general vet check could be good in case there is any abdominal swelling.

Is he pooping ok? And what nesting material are you using? Some nesting materials can cause intestinal blockages, if chewed or swallowed, and that can cause bloating.

If he has never chirruped before then he clearly is trying to say something. I am not sure how different the respiratory sound is but I think it’s usually more of a clicking noise.

And yes I would hold off doing a cage clean. It can stress them and also make them annoyed. It’s only really necessary to spot clean and not do a full substrate change that often.

Maybe he’s just happy! Or cross.

He has usually been chirping while sleeping, but not when he's awake, so that's new to me. When I took him out of the cage he started chirping even louder. He has slept on his bathroom and he goes there, but he has never been in his sand bath. I don't even see any steps or nothing on it. Maybe he doesn't know what it is, but then again he was never interested in it for whatever reason.

He was injected, but that was weeks ago. I also haven't seen any bugs anymore.
I use Chips paper bedding: CHIPSI - CAREFRESH(C) Pure White – Completely in white (https://www.chipsi.eu/chipsi_en/products/carefresh-ultra.php)

He's eating and sometimes using his wheel. He has never been a really active hamster. When I put him on his playpen where he has toys he just wants to get out and in a cage he's pretty much sleeping and eating and digging and building nests. I don't know how much he uses his wheel, but I've seen him using his wheel.

That's why I take him out and put him on my bed or on my couch and try to build something using books and pillows. Sometimes he climbs and sometimes he gives up. When I put treat somewhere then he puts in extra effort and eventually climbs up and gets the treat.

He's very friendly and clingy to me some days. When I walk past the cage he immediately comes out and tries to see me or get my attention somehow. When my friend was here he still kept coming back to me and he was still chirping. My friend said that he might be scared or something, so I put him back to the cage and he has been sleeping and then he woke up to groom himself and went back to sleep and now he went to sleep in a different nest.

I'll see what the vet says. He was big when I bought it, but my friend said that she thinks he's even 'fatter' now than he was before. He hasn't been chirping anymore, but still, I'm going to the vet on Saturday and see what they say. My biggest concern is that it's cold outside. Hopefully lots of bedding, toilet paper, a blanket will keep him warm.

[Lilafernim]

I want to second what Ria said briefly, please whatever happens don’t blame yourself. You’re absolutely right that other hamsters are given worse lives but you shouldn’t even compare yourself to that. You’ve really done well and you give your hamster a loving home and life.

If you’re unsure about the sand bath just remove it for now and ask the vet for a second opinion, if your hammie is sick, it can be for any number of reasons. I’m sorry the little hammie may not be well but also I’m very sorry to yourself since you’ve done brilliantly and it must feel at this stage everything just seems to go wrong, but don’t blame yourself.

[sushi_78]

Hamsters are fragile creatures, especially dwarfs, and prone to many illnesses. It isn't your fault at all if he is ill. He's lucky to have found an owner who is willing to seek advice and to take him to the vet for treatment because so many people wouldn't.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Hamsters are fragile creatures, especially dwarfs, and prone to many illnesses. It isn't your fault at all if he is ill. He's lucky to have found an owner who is willing to seek advice and to take him to the vet for treatment because so many people wouldn't.

Thank you! What's weird is that today he seems to be fine. He was running on the wheel, turned the toilet roll upside down and did other hamster stuff and hasn't squeaked. I'm still going to the vet tomorrow and luckily I recorded the chirping (he hasn't done that today). Maybe the vet is able to tell me it's age and if he's fine. I'd like to know how old my hamster is. They didn't know at the pet store, but he was definitely bigger and fatter than other dwarfs.

Maybe he just had a bad day or something happened or he was just feeling sick and now he's fine? I've had days when I feel sick and the next day I am completely fine. He was also playing with one toy and chewing his chew toy, which made me happy.

[Pebbles82]

Glad to hear he's doing well. He may have just been being vocal about something that either made him very cross or very happy - or even just communicating. All ours have been silent communicators (looks, nods of the head) but they really do communicate sometimes - either to tell you they really like something or really don't like something, or want you to do something.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Glad to hear he's doing well. He may have just been being vocal about something that either made him very cross or very happy - or even just communicating. All ours have been silent communicators (looks, nods of the head) but they really do communicate sometimes - either to tell you they really like something or really don't like something, or want you to do something.

They said my hamster is completely fine and it's not a dwarf hamster, but a hybrid mix of different breeds.
They were surprised how friendly and nice and cute my hamster was and said that he has a beautiful coat. When I said that he's bigger than he was in the Summer they said that they grow fast.
They said chirping sometimes is normal and some hamsters are more vocal than others and some are vocal sometimes.
They found no bugs on him, but there was a red spot on his skin and they gave three drops of something to him.
Told me to come back in three weeks. They said he's healthy and fine otherwise. I haven't seen bugs either ever since he got the shot.
They said he's fine.

[Pebbles82]

That's excellent news. Most dwarf hamsters are hybrids - it means they are a mix of russian dwarf campbells and winter white dwarf hamsters. Sadly those two species have been interbred for such a long time that almost all dwarf hamsters are hybrids of those two species. But he is still a russian dwarf hamster! Just not a specific species.

The only thing to take care with, with dwarf hybrid hamsters, is to have a sugar free diet, as they are prone to getting diabetes. So while a tiny bit of veg is fine daily, I wouldn't give any fruit, and would use a sugar free hamster mix.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

That's excellent news. Most dwarf hamsters are hybrids - it means they are a mix of russian dwarf campbells and winter white dwarf hamsters. Sadly those two species have been interbred for such a long time that almost all dwarf hamsters are hybrids of those two species. But he is still a russian dwarf hamster! Just not a specific species.

The only thing to take care with, with dwarf hybrid hamsters, is to have a sugar free diet, as they are prone to getting diabetes. So while a tiny bit of veg is fine daily, I wouldn't give any fruit, and would use a sugar free hamster mix.

My hamster does not eat cheese or apples, but he loves cucumbers and he's very crazy about mealworms, but I think you can give one every other day? I give him food daily, but now just read that you can't actually do that, since they're hiding a lot of food.

Are there any toys you'd recommend to a hamster? The ones at the stores are pretty boring and my hamster is not interested in his toys and to be honest, if I was a hamster I don't think I'd be interested either.

[Ria P]

Hiding food or hoarding is a natural behaviour. Keeping a hoard is very important to a hamster so they need enough hamster mix to eat and to hoard. They often keep a hoard under or near their nest so they can snack while in their nest.
It keeps them happy and helps them to feel secure.

I wouldn't give a hamster fruit but a small daily amount of cucumber, broccoli, kale etc is fine. Cut it into very small pieces so it will dry up rather than go mouldy should he not eat it all up or hoard it.

As for mealworms. I give our dwarfs a couple of dried mealworms per day.

[Pebbles82]

I wouldn't worry about him hoarding fresh food. None of mine ever have - they eat fresh food straight away and hoard the dried food. But only give a really tiny bit of veg - no bigger than 1cm cube (ish).

Have a look at this video for toys :-) And save your toilet rolls Anything with string needs to be sisal string.

10 Toilet Roll Toys For Small Pets - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuPeyD6w-CI)

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Hiding food or hoarding is a natural behaviour. Keeping a hoard is very important to a hamster so they need enough hamster mix to eat and to hoard. They often keep a hoard under or near their nest so they can snack while in their nest.
It keeps them happy and helps them to feel secure.

I wouldn't give a hamster fruit but a small daily amount of cucumber, broccoli, kale etc is fine. Cut it into very small pieces so it will dry up rather than go mouldy should he not eat it all up or hoard it.

As for mealworms. I give our dwarfs a couple of dried mealworms per day.

I've given him whole slices of cucumber. That was kind of stupid, but tbh, I think he eats all of it.
Also, I saw him taking a sandbath. I'm not kidding. He took a sand bath. I saw it with my very own eyes. He was rolling around in it. It made me happy.

[Ria P]

I've given him whole slices of cucumber. That was kind of stupid, but tbh, I think he eats all of it.
Also, I saw him taking a sandbath. I'm not kidding. He took a sand bath. I saw it with my very own eyes. He was rolling around in it. It made me happy.

I'm glad your hamster likes his sand bath! I Iove watching ours roll around in theirs.