Teeth Chattering

[GrahamJon]

hey guys,

My hamster Pudding seems to chatter her teeth, a lot, I've been looking for a reason and most of them say that its because she's annoyed or scared or for some cases medical reasons.

The problem is that she does it while getting out of her cage happily onto my hand and then shows no signs of aggression or fear and she is a health fine hamster.

are there any other reasons as to why hamsters will chatter their teeth

[Chezzu]

I remember my brother's hamster doing this when we were quite young!
My mam scared it was something medical so we went to the vets, the vets suggested giving him more toys and foods that he could grind his teeth down on, he soon stopped!

It's always worth a try even if that isn't the problem!

[Bertiebobbins]

Mine only chatter when they're not wanting to get up or are disturbed during the day, but one of them also used to chatter when he was excited and coming out of his cage.

[RubyDG]

General opinion is that it's one of those either/or situations so either because a hamster is excited or because they are irritated. I think it's important to always take teeth chattering in context. When my hamster Bruxes or chatters his teeth when, despite his efforts, he can't chew his way through the radiator i go with the assumption he's irritated or upset. In the case of your hamster I would definitely think that he is excited to come out his cage rather than irritated

[WinnieTheHam]

My hamsters only chatter their teeth when they're disturbed by sounds coming from within their cage (when i'm putting and taking out food whilst they're sleeping) Myrcella chattered her teeth when she had the babies when I was near the cage but when she realised it was me she'd come running straight out onto my hand. It's like a ''back off'' warning sign from what I've experienced.

[HarryHamster]

Hugo chatters his teeth when is either annoyed or he just wants to cuddle. Really depends with him as he was abused when he was a baby before I adopted him so he is shy. He has been doing it a lot lately he wants to be close at night with me. I think you can read your hamsters behaviour easier then other people they can only give advice.

[Scarlett Empress]

My girl definitely does a sort of triumphant chatter, if she's been for example working hard on chewing something, or climbing something, and she finally reaches her goal!

But yes she will do it when she is obviously cross or frustrated too. It doesn't sound any different to me, but as RubyDG says, taking it in context means I know if she's cross or not.

[Tyrion Hammister]

Tyrion chatters when he first wakes up (but usually just before he yawns). I think each hamster has its own personality, so I wouldn't worry too much if yours seems healthy and happy despite the chattering.

[Mrs Livingston]

Madison only chatters when I've stopped her chewing the door but as other people have said, I think it's the context that matters